Clinical Director, Mental Health Acute Inpatient Units

Employment Type: Visiting Medical OfficerPosition Classification: Visiting Medical OffRemuneration: Visiting Medical OfficerRequisition ID: REQ Closing Date: Sunday 18 January 2026 Lead Mental Health Care and Clinical Excellence Across MLHD Wagga Wagga Base Hospital – Mental Health Inpatient Unit & Older Persons Unit Apply via eCredential About the Opportunity An outstanding opportunity exists for an experienced and motivated Visiting Medical Officer - Psychiatrist to provide strong clinical leadership within the Wagga Wagga Mental Health Inpatient Unit (WWMHIPU) and Older Persons Unit. In this pivotal role, you will: Deliver high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric care to consumers in the inpatient setting. Provide strategic and clinical leadership to ensure safe, contemporary, and patient-centred mental health services. Oversee recruitment, retention, and management of junior medical staff, including rostering, performance appraisal, and professional development. Maintain a robust clinical governance framework for the medical workforce, ensuring compliance with best practice standards and legislative requirements under the Mental Health Act. Work collaboratively with the inpatient leadership team to achieve service KPIs and drive continuous improvement. Why Wagga Wagga Base Hospital? A major referral hospital in a thriving regional hub A supportive multidisciplinary team committed to collaboration and teaching Opportunities to lead, mentor, and shape mental health service delivery State-of-the-art facilities and access to innovative treatment modalities, including ECT services A strong focus on professional development and work-life balance Learn more about our Wagga Wagga Health Service by clicking here. What You’ll Be Doing Provide clinical leadership and direct psychiatric care within WWMHIPU and Older Persons Unit. Fulfil obligations as Medical Superintendent under the Mental Health Act. Drive service development that reflects community needs, incorporating consumer and carer feedback. Lead initiatives in clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement. Foster teaching and supervision of medical students, residents, psychiatry trainees, and GP procedural trainees. Chair the ECT Committee and maintain expertise in contemporary treatments. Promote research and innovation to enhance service quality and outcomes. What We’re Looking For Specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia in Psychiatry (FRANZCP). Demonstrated leadership in clinical governance and workforce management. High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Proven ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Commitment to teaching, research, and continuous quality improvement. Availability to participate in on-call rosters and provide timely onsite response. Alignment with NSW Health CORE Values: Collaboration, Openness, Respect, Empowerment. Compliance with Working With Children Check, National Criminal Record Check, and Vaccination Category A requirements. Additional Qualifications Registered in NSW as a medical practitioner. Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and evidence of satisfactory participation on the RANZCP Continuing Professional Development Program and Registrable with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Demonstrated significant experience relevant to Psychiatry practice and evidence of competence in Psychiatry skills relevant to Australian rural hospital practice, particularly rehabilitation and recovery oriented practice. Experience in an management or clinical leadership role Sophisticated working knowledge of the NSW Mental Health Act and demonstrated experience in its application in clinical practice. Ability to communicate effectively (both written and oral) and work cooperatively with other staff including medical, nursing, allied health, and management. Ability to comply with the service objectives of MLHD and participate in performance review processes. Demonstrated ability to communicate, consult, negotiate and work effectively and harmoniously with the community, senior health professionals, management and staff, consumers, family and carers and senior executives of government services. Evidence of a Class C drivers licence and ability and willingness to travel for work purposes Discover Wagga Wagga Located in the heart of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga offers an ideal blend of city convenience and country charm. With excellent schools, vibrant cultural life, and stunning natural surroundings, it’s the perfect place to advance your career and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Apply via eCredential A National Police Check will be conducted. NSW Health does not require or accept the Fit2Work Badge offered as an option in eCredential. Applications via agencies will not be accepted. MLHD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including Aboriginal people and people from racial, ethnic or ethno-religious minority groups and people with disability. Need more information? Click here for the Position Description. For role-related queries, contact Dr Alyson Hickey, District Clinical Director Mental Health: #J-18808-Ljbffr