Chief Orthoptist

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Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and state-wide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.

About the Orthoptics and Ophthalmology Department

The Orthoptic Unit at Austin Health delivers high-quality inpatient and outpatient orthoptic services across the Repatriation and Royal Talbot Campuses. Closely integrated with the Ophthalmology Unit, the team plays a key role in supporting eye health and rehabilitation. The department has a strong commitment to clinical excellence, research, and education, working collaboratively with La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne.

About the role

The Chief Orthoptist is responsible for leading, promoting and providing high-quality orthoptic services at Austin Health, ensuring alignment with clinical standards, policies, and best practices. This role provides expert clinical care and oversight, integrating leadership, management, research, clinical trials, teaching, training, and the auditing of clinical outcomes to drive excellence in patient care.

In collaboration with the Head of Ophthalmology, the Head of Orthoptics is accountable for the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of clinical processes, ensuring the delivery of a high-standard, evidence-based orthoptic and ophthalmology service.

A regular day will see you:

• Leading the strategic planning and delivery of orthoptic services across Austin Health
• Managing clinical workflows, staffing, and performance to maintain a high standard of care
• Collaborating with ophthalmologists, registrars, nurses, and students in multidisciplinary clinics
• Driving research, clinical audits, and undergraduate teaching for orthoptic and medical students
• Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen service delivery

About you

As the Chief Orthoptist, you will be someone who has excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to excellence in patient care. You’ll bring energy and drive to your work, and have a keen interest in developing your skillset and leading others to do the same.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring with you:

• Extensive orthoptic experience (minimum 10 years), with advanced clinical expertise
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and delivering service improvements
• A passion for teaching, training, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians
• Strong problem-solving abilities and experience managing operational complexity
• A collaborative, inclusive approach that aligns with Austin Health values

Our benefits

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day.  Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounts on fitness memberships and health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program
• Mentoring and career development opportunities
• Onsite childcare, easy access via public transport, car parking and end of journey facilities for cyclists

Work with us!

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or have questions about this opportunity, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Cam McIntyre, Divisional Mgr Gastro Transplant and Gen Surg at Cam.MCINTYRE@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details.

Application closing date: Friday 9 May 2025