Head of Unit, Maternal Fetal Medicine
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Western Health
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Aboriginal Traditional Owners and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, people, consumers, and staff, past and present, on whose land we provide health services.
Executive Summary
- Lead a highly specialised, multidisciplinary MFM service that supports over 9,200 complex pregnancy episodes annually across a rapidly growing region of Western Melbourne.
- Oversee a team of medical specialists, sonographers, midwives and allied professionals delivering care across fetal medicine, multiple pregnancy, obstetric medicine, preterm birth prevention, pregnancy loss and perinatal mental health.
- Join a values-driven health service with a strong focus on research, training, evidence-based care and multidisciplinary collaboration.
The Opportunity
Western Health is seeking an exceptional clinical leader to take on the role of Head of Unit, Maternal Fetal Medicine, within its Women’s & Children’s Division. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing, well-supported multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering holistic care to patients with complex pregnancies. Based at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine, the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit manages more than 9,200 episodes annually and provides a full suite of services including Fetal Medicine Clinics, Fetal Cardiology, Multiple Pregnancy Clinics, Obstetric Medicine, Preterm Birth Prevention, Recurrent Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss Clinics. The unit is accredited to train CMFM fellows and is embedded within a fast-growing division at the forefront of tertiary maternity care.
The Role
Reporting to the Clinical Services Director, the Head of Unit will provide clinical, strategic and operational leadership of the MFM Unit, ensuring delivery of high-quality, person-centred care and professional supervision of junior medical staff, midwives and sonographers. The role is responsible for clinical governance, multidisciplinary care planning, guideline development, resource management, rostering, and clinical teaching. The Head of Unit will also contribute to service planning, quality improvement, research and audit activities. This role collaborates closely with perinatal genetic counsellors, obstetric physicians, anaesthetists, neonatologists, psychiatrists and ICU staff to deliver integrated care and ensure the best possible outcomes for women and babies experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
The Candidate
You are a senior medical specialist (FRANZCOG or equivalent) with recognised qualifications in Maternal Fetal Medicine (e.g. CMFM) and a demonstrated ability to lead high-performing clinical teams. While current AHPRA registration is not required at the time of application, you must be eligible and willing to obtain registration to practise in Australia.
You bring deep clinical expertise in managing complex pregnancies and a strong commitment to collaborative, evidence-based, multidisciplinary care. You have experience leading services, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to training, research and innovation. With excellent interpersonal and communication skills, you build trust across disciplines, lead by example, and are energised by the opportunity to shape the future of maternal fetal medicine services for a diverse and growing community.
We invite you to discuss this exciting opportunity with Lynette Taylor from the HardyGroup M: +61 (0)431 293 861 / E: ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest providers of healthcare in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of almost one million people in Melbourne's western suburbs. With more than 12,500 staff, Western Health provides 800,000+ occasions of care every year.
Western Health manages acute public hospitals comprising Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital, Bacchus Marsh Hospital and Melton Regional Hospital. Western Health also operates Sunbury Community Hospital, Boollam Boollam in Williamstown, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre, Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh, and the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre in Sunshine.
Western Health provides a comprehensive, integrated range of clinical services from its various sites ranging from mental health and wellbeing services, and acute tertiary services in areas of emergency medicine, intensive care, medical and surgical services, through to subacute care and onsite and virtual ambulatory clinics. Western Health's specialised services include oncology, renal, women's health including maternity, chronic disease, geriatrics, and cardiology.
Western Health provides a combination of hospital, community-based and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Western Health also provides the primary health care service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and offers drug health and addiction medicine support through its inpatient service and community Drug Health Service.
Western Health has a strong philosophy of working with our local community to deliver excellence in patient care.
Our Purpose
Leading the delivery of a connected and consistent patient experience and providing the best care to save and improve the lives of those in our community most in need.
Our Values
Compassion - consistently acting with empathy and integrity.
Accountability - taking responsibility for our decisions and actions.
Respect - for the rights, beliefs and choice of every individual.
Excellence - inspiring and motivating innovation and achievement.
Safety - prioritising safety as an essential part of everyday practice.
Five Strategic Directions
The Strategic Plan is underpinned by 5 strategic directions that guide our approach to work, our planning and design, and our decision making. The directions have remained constant as these continue to be relevant to guide Western Health into the future, with refreshed initiatives and programs of work sitting underneath.
Our strategic directions are:
1. We partner with patients, consumers, families and carers
Our patients, consumers, their families and carers are actively involved in their care and the design of approaches that support their choices and individual needs.
2. We care for our people
Our staff and volunteers are supported, engaged and equipped to embrace a dynamic future.
3. We deliver services for the future
Our services are developed to improve access to high-quality, connected care and deliver better health outcomes for our community.
4. We are better together
Our respectful relationships with our community, system-wide partners and each other drive collaboration and better outcomes.
5. We discover and learn
Our commitment to innovate, discover and learn inspires us to shape the healthcare of the future.
Women’s & Children’s Services
The Division of Women’s & Children’s Services at Western Health is responsible for the provision of inpatient and ambulatory care across Maternity, Gynaecology, Neonatal and Paediatric Services. The Division provides both elective and emergency Maternity, Gynaecology and Neonatal care and aims to ensure the provision of safe, coordinated, person-centred, right care through a consistent, multi-disciplinary partnership approach.
The Division of Women’s & Children’s Services continues to expand and develop to meet the Western region’s population growth, care complexities and demand. The service has seen significant growth over the last 4-5 years across all program areas in assisting to meet regional support requirements. The purpose-built Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s (JKWC) Building at Sunshine Hospital, and the delivery of services at Bacchus Marsh Hospital following amalgamation continues to support the growth of the service, with planning commenced for the New Melton Hospital in 2029 providing services for women and children.
Paediatric and Neonatal services are currently provided at Sunshine (JKWC), Bacchus Marsh, and Melton campuses encompassing both inpatient and ambulatory care.
In 2023/ 24 in the Women’s and Children’s Divisions activity included more than:
- 8,000 total babies were born: on average 19-20 babies per day
- 6,589 babies were born at Sunshine Hospital
- 616 babies were born at Bacchus Marsh Hospital
- 1,594 neonates accessed Newborn Services
- 2,980 women accessed inpatient Gynaecology services
- 3,542 children were admitted
- 28,722 children were cared for in the Sunshine Hospital Emergency
- 167,065 episodes of ambulatory care were provided.
The Women’s & Children’s Division provides care across a number of sites within the Western catchment, including Sunshine, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Sunbury. The Division collaborates with several other Divisions within Western Health and partners with external health services and community services to ensure the provision of Best Care for our community.
The Division will continue to innovate and develop more services and model of care options across Western Health to ensure Best Care for the community of Western Melbourne.
Check out the design of the new Melton Hospital!
Set to become Australia’s first all-electric hospital, designs reveal key internal and external spaces, including the main entrance, façade and patient rooms – focusing on natural light, access to nature and outdoor spaces.
The Victorian Government has committed more than $900 million to deliver a new Melton Hospital in 2029.
The brand-new hospital will support the growing and diverse communities of Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne. It will ensure the people of Melbourne's west get the care they need, close to home.
The Melton Hospital will include a 24-hour emergency department, at least 274 beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services and ambulatory care.
Once completed, Melton Hospital will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year and see almost 60,000 patients in the emergency department.
The hospital will be Victoria’s first all-electric hospital.
The Exemplar Health consortium has been awarded the contract to deliver the new Melton Hospital, with major construction underway. Construction of your new Melton Hospital is on track for completion in 2029.
Role Specification
The role of the Head of Unit Maternal Fetal Medicine is to provide leadership for the multidisciplinary team to ensure that high quality clinical care is provided to the patients with complex pregnancies receiving care at Western Health, to supervise and train Junior Medical Staff, midwives, and sonographers, and to support Western Health Strategic Priorities. This role will oversee the management of the unit financial budgets, medical staffing requirements and activity targets.
Key responsibilities include:
- Oversee and lead by example in the delivery, management and promotion of high-quality clinical care to all patients referred to the Western Health Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit.
- Ensure medical staff are appropriately registered, credentialed and working within scope of practice and that monthly clinical audits occur and are documented
- Assume responsibility for quality patient care in ensuring that clinical procedures are performed in accordance with Western Health policy and procedure.
- Analyse and use data to guide decisions and evaluate outcomes
- Participate in resolving problems in care delivery utilising a multidisciplinary approach
- Ensure awareness of clinical experience and proficiency of junior medical staff delegated to deliver care and provide supervision for and be accountable for the care delivered
- In collaboration with the Divisional Director and Clinical Services Director, manage services to provide efficient models of care and to monitor activity, KPIs and budget performance
- Actively contribute to Western Health’s ongoing development, i.e. through involvement in hospital wide activities, national and/or international organisations
- Actively participate in departmental or organisational wide quality and credentialing processes, including clinical work review groups
- Participate in service planning as requested by the Clinical Service Directors including the development and setting of targets, resource requirements and improvement priorities for the service agreement.
- Participate in developing department and personal priority goals and objectives consistent with the mission, philosophy and strategic plan of the organisation
- Ensure that any dealings with the media are approved and in accordance with policy, procedure and privacy legislation
- Contribute to creating and maintaining a work climate which is conducive to positive morale and employee growth, development and retention
- Ensure own health and well-being and seek assistance if impairment in physical or mental health is impacting on job performance
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with employees, other professional groups, units/departments and/or community agencies
- Build networks and participate in benchmarking to seek and share information to assist in developing best practices
- Demonstrate a caring and empathetic approach towards patients at all times
- Participate in hospital provided professional development activities and keep up to date with relevant developments in clinical and hospital practice and policies
- Participate in clinical teaching and professional development of junior medical staff, medical students and students of all health professions and disciplines, including involving students in clinical care
- Maintain personal qualifications in accordance with continuing certification requirements of relevant medical college
- Oversee the management of the unit’s budget and strategic and financial planning
- Comply with Western Health financial systems, policies and processes
- Manage and operate in accordance with Western Health Human Resource policy and practise in all matters relating to recruitment and employment
- Ensure the ability to receive and return organisational relevant information and communication through phone, and/ or voicemail and email within time limits set by the organisation
- Ensure oncall roster and in hours provision of service are achieved
- Oversee and monitor KPIs as they relate to the departments, including clinical audit, morbidity and mortality as well as other access and quality indicators
- Acquire and maintain sufficient relevant computer/technology skills and utilise these to participate in services and communication offered by Western Health
- Perform and report ultrasounds undertaken in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit (including supervision and reporting of scans performed by sonographers and registrars). Ensure that all ultrasounds meet recognized quality standards and comply with the procedures and guidelines of the unit.
- Counsel women with complex pregnancies (including those with maternal medical disorders or fetal anomalies) and developing appropriate evidence-based management plans.
- Accurately reflect the patient’s treatment plan, requirements, outcomes or events within prescribed documentation to support ongoing care, communication and to ensure that all legal requirements are met in regards to legibility of content and identity of reporter in accordance with Western Health policies and procedures
- Participat in the Early Pregnancy assessment Service (EPAS) ultrasound roster as required.
- Liaison with the various members of the multidisciplinary Maternal Fetal Medicine team to ensure optimal holistic management of patients.
- Contribute to Divisional audit processes including the Perinatal and Obstetric Morbidity and Mortality meetings and various Maternal Fetal Medicine unit-based audits.
- Contribute to the development of evidence based clinical practice guidelines within both the MFM unit and the general Obstetrics service.
- Involvement in continuing professional development (CPD) of consultant staff, junior medical staff, midwifery staff, sonographers and General Practitioners to maintain currency of knowledge and skills relevant to high risk obstetric care.
- Complaints and incident management relevant to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit.
- Participation in the research activities of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit and the Women’s and Children’s Division.
- Participation in the after-hours MFM on-call roster
- Ensure that the care of all patients is handed over or other suitable arrangements for follow up, including follow up of results is in place when not on call
- Ensure continuity of care by communicating appropriately with other practitioners including community general practitioners
- Other duties as delegated by the Clinical Service Directors, Divisional Directors or Executive Directors.
In addition to the key responsibilities specific to your role, you are required to deliver on the Key Organisational Accountabilities which are aligned with the Western Health strategic aims.
Essential
- Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency
- Medical qualification – Fellow of RANZCOG or equivalent
- Recognised qualifications in Maternal Fetal Medicine such as the RANZCOG Certificate in Maternal Fetal Medicine (CMFM) or equivalent
- Relevant management / leadership experience
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to professional development
- Experience in the support and supervision of Junior Medical Staff
- Demonstrated ability to practice collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team
- Effective organisational skills, with respect to time management and delegation
- Understanding of activity settings and budget management
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
- Displays and expresses a high level of ethics in regards to patients, colleagues and the organisation
- Demonstrates skill and maturity in problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution
- Demonstrates ability to make decisions and explain rationale
- Clearly communicate decisions to relevant parties
- Maintains confidentiality of patient, institutional and employee information
- Analyses own performance in accordance with position expectations. Develops goals and implements a plan to meet those goals.
- Maintains own knowledge and skills
- Participates in and contributes to committees, teams and projects in keeping with the organisation’s strategic goals
- Seeks out and is receptive to feedback from co-workers at all levels for the purpose of growth in the role
Desirable
- Demonstrated research skills
- Experience as a RANZCOG credentialed training supervisor
- Knowledge of health issues in relation to Western Health’s catchments
- Acknowledgement of Western Health strategic themes
Reports To: Clinical Services Director, Chief Medical Officer
Direct Reports: Unit medical employees, Sonographers
Internal:
- Other Senior Medical Staff
- Junior Medical Staff
- Nursing and Allied Health Staff
- Sonographers
- Genetic Counsellors
- Patient Support and Administrative Staff
- Medical Workforce Unit Management
- Unit/ Department Heads
- Clinical Services Directors
- Divisional Directors
- Executive Director Medical Services
External:
- RANZCOG
- GP’s
- Community Health Agencies including referring hospitals
- Other Senior Medical Staff
- Tertiary Obstetric Services including The Royal Women’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital for Women, Monash Medical Centre
- Paediatric, Infant, Perinatal Emergency Retrieval Service (PIPER)
To be discussed with HG Principal Consultant
Service Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Division: Women’s & Children’s Services
Classification: Determined upon experience and qualifications
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5253
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga via azuniga@hardygroupintl.com / +61 (0)494 101 082
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant
- 2.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director, Search & Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
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Carlton
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Geelong
As one of Australia’s largest urban centres, Geelong provides the perfect environment to achieve work/life balance. Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city, located one-hour’s drive southwest of the State capital Melbourne. The Region is an important contributor to the Victorian State economy.
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Point Cook
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Point Cook | Walker Corporation. Photo Credit.
Geelong, VIC. Photography Credit.
Geelong Grammar School. Photo Credit.
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