Clinical Director - Staff Specialist or VMO - Psychiatry - Sutherland Hospital - Mental Health

Employment Type: Staff Specialist or Visiting Medical Officer
Position Classification: Staff Specialist or Visiting Medical Officer
Hours Per Week: Staff Specialist - 0.8FTE up to 1.0FTE or Visiting Medical Officer - 28 hours per week over 4 days
Requisition ID: REQ612189

An exciting and rare opportunity exists for an experienced Psychiatrist to join the Sutherland Hospital Mental Health Service (TSH MHS) in a key leadership position as the Clinical Director. You will be part of an enthusiastic team working at an award-winning, well respected community hospital. The position is responsible for medical leadership and will work collaboratively with a consumer centred team to develop and maintain mental health services of the highest possible quality and safety. This position will be responsible for providing strong leadership vision and deliver a consumer-focused health care service that meets community needs and aligns with strategic goals of the MHS.

The Clinical Director reports to, and works in collaboration with, the Service Director, with the role also professionally accountable to the District Clinical Director.

The position can be appointed as a permanent staff specialist position minimum 0.8FTE up to 1.0FTE, split equally between management and clinical roles; or as a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) position 28 hours per week with a requirement to attend a minimum four days a week. VMO appointments will be made under the NSW Public Hospitals VMO determination for a fixed term contract to be negotiated within the current quinquennium (end June 2027) and remunerated for budgeted actual hours according to current sessional VMO rates (not locum rates).

The position will provide expert medical assessment and management of consumers within the Mental Health Service. The Clinical Director is the line manager for Medical Officers within TSH MHS and provides leadership for medical officers in the service by modelling collaborative and respectful relationships within the MHS staff and externally. The Clinical Director provides a point of escalation for the MHS in resolving a range of clinical and related scenarios and will forge active working relationships with the Service Director, Emergency Department director, Sutherland Hospital executive and SESLHD district MHS staff. The Clinical Director will be supported to develop leadership skills and has the opportunity to work with a range of local and eternal stakeholders including at other MHS facilities within SESLHD and affiliated training and teaching institutions.

About the Mental Health Service - The Sutherland Mental Health Service comprises a 28 Bed Acute MH Unit, a 5 bed MH Rehabilitation Unit, and Mental Health Community Teams who provide Care Coordination and Acute Care support to consumers in the community. The MHS is situated within the Sutherland General Hospital which has 375 general medical beds.

About the Area - The Sutherland Shire is a natural oasis just 25kms from Sydney's CBD. The region offers a stretch of pristine surf beaches, four national parks and channels of sparkling water. The Shire also hosts an urban hub of buzzing cafes and restaurants, art galleries and seasonal events, and is an ideal mix of coastal relaxation and cosmopolitan luxury.

The vision for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) is ‘exceptional people, healthier lives’. SESLHD is committed to enabling our community to be healthy and well, and to providing the best possible compassionate care when people need it.

The specialist will provide expert medical assessment and management of patients within the department/service.

The primary location of this position may be varied as agreed with the Director of Medical Services and as approved by MDAAC to other facilities in SESLHD.

Our CORE Values are Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment and have been created by employees for employees and help define how we work and to inspire positive interactions in the workplace.

Learn more about us here: South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Information for applicants:

Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified for this position following suitable labour market testing.
This is a Category A position. All Category A applicants must read and understand NSW Health Policy PD2024_015. Successful applicants to the role must provide vaccination history and pathology as part of the application documentation and be certified as compliant before employment can commence.
SESLHD is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. This will help ensure our employees, our patients and their carers, feel supported. We invite candidates of all ages, genders, sexual orientation, cultural backgrounds, people with disability, neurodiverse individuals, and Indigenous Australians to apply. We do have an Aboriginal Employment Consultant that can also provide support ([email protected]) and for additional information please visit our Stepping Up Website.

All applications must include a demonstration of your ability to meet each of the selection criteria in order to progress through the recruitment process

Registration or eligible for registration with Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA). Candidate to provide on application AHPRA Registration Number.
Fellowship of the The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and/or equivalent specialist recognition as provided for by the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the relevant Award/Determination.
Evidence of continuing medical education and self-monitoring/audit practices consistent with the scope of practice requirements of the position.
Proven capacity and/or experience in the provision of effective high quality service in the specialty, demonstrated through successful clinical practice in an environment appropriate to the requirements of the position including evidence of participation in quality improvement activities relevant to the specialty.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching with experience in teaching both undergraduate and post graduate students and other staff of the hospital.
Demonstrate the skills and attitudes appropriate as a senior Medical Practitioner including modelling a high standard of professional behaviour to junior medical staff.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously with medical and other health services colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and staff and to work as an effective member of the clinical team across multiple sites. Demonstrated commitment to provision of a high standard of clinical care in the public sector setting.
Demonstrated experience in and commitment to research relevant to the role and needs of the Department.

Please complete the attached documentation and ensure they are uploaded to your application.

Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description and SESLHD Expected Standards
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Nicholas Babidge on [email protected]

Applications Close: 22 January 2026