Chief Paramedic Officer
Department for Health and Wellbeing
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Inspirational Paramedic Leader
- Provide strategic professional leadership
- Contribute to the effective development of the Paramedicine profession within South Australia
THE OPPORTUNITY
SA Health is now seeking a Chief Paramedic Officer (CPO) to provide expert professional and strategic advice across the system on all matters relating to the paramedicine profession and workforce. SA Health includes the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW), ten Local Health Networks, and Statewide Clinical Support Services, SA Ambulance Service, SA Dental Service, Prison Health and Drug and Alcohol Services SA.
The Chief Paramedic Officer will be responsible for contributing to the continuing development of the paramedicine profession within South Australia to meet the needs of the SA public.
THE ROLE
The role will oversee the development and implementation of policies, partnerships and improvement initiatives to support the development and provision of safer, more effective, and better integrated patient care. This will be achieved through engagement with senior stakeholders and leaders across government and the broader health sector, as the role provides a link between SA Health, the DHW and a range of different health care settings in which paramedics work - both public and private.
The CPO is responsible for providing strategic professional leadership and advice to the Chief Executive DHW, Deputy Chief Executive CSSI, Health Chief Executive’s Forum (HCEC), CEO SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. This advice includes issues related to, but not restricted to, the paramedicine workforce and broader health system matters in relation to patient safety and quality improvement.
THE CANDIDATE
If you hold current registration with the Paramedicine Board AHPRA and believe you have the passion, commitment and:
- Successful track record as a recognised paramedic leader with extensive experience at a senior level;
- The ability to provide specialist authoritative, strategic advice and expertise which has influence;
- Have extensive experience in paramedicine, along with significant experience and expert knowledge related to service delivery and the regulatory environment; and
- A comprehensive understanding of the Australian and SA health systems
then this may be the role for you.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
Department for Health and Wellbeing | SA Health
Department for Health and Wellbeing
The Department for Health and Wellbeing assists the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, to set the policy framework and strategic directions for SA Health.
The department supports the delivery of public health services, formulates health policy, facilitates public and consumer consultation on health issues, and monitors the performance of South Australia’s health system by providing timely advice, research and administrative support.
SA Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of all South Australians by providing leadership in health reform, public health services, health and medical research, policy development and planning, with an increased focus on well being, illness prevention, early intervention and quality care.
SA Health is the brand name for the health portfolio of services and agencies responsible to our Minister, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.
The portfolio consists of the:
- Department for Health and Wellbeing
- SA Ambulance Service
- Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
- Central Adelaide Local Health Network
- Eyre and Far North Local Health Network
- Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
- Limestone Coast Local Health Network
- Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
- Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Women’s and Children’s Health Network
- Yorke and Northern Local Health Network
- Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health (attached office)
- Preventive Health SA (attached office)
Our vision
South Australians experience the best health in Australia.
We can achieve this vision by individuals, families, our staff, other health providers and government or non-government agencies working together.
To achieve this we will work to:
- prevent chronic disease, communicable disease and injury, and prevent exacerbation of established chronic disease
- partner with individuals, families and communities to enhance their health and wellbeing
- support individuals and their families through recovery
- create healthier neighbourhoods and communities
- respond when needed to manage acute conditions and injuries
- assist individuals and families to adapt to changes in their health and wellbeing over time, including at end of life
- protect against public and environmental health risks and adapt to climate change.
Our mission
Our mission at SA Health is to lead and deliver a comprehensive and sustainable health system that aims to ensure healthier, longer and better lives for all South Australians.
We will achieve our objectives by:
- strengthening primary health care
- enhancing hospital care
- reforming mental health care
- improving the health of Aboriginal people
- committing to a health system that produces positive health outcomes by focusing on health promotion, illness prevention and early intervention.
We will work with other government agencies and the community to address the environmental, socioeconomic, biological and behavioural determinants of health, and to achieve equitable health outcomes for all South Australians.
Our values
The values of SA Health are used to indicate the type of conduct required by our employees and the conduct that our customers can expect from our health service:
- We are committed to the values of integrity, respect and accountability.
- We value care, excellence, innovation, creativity, leadership and equity in health care provision and health outcomes.
- We demonstrate our values in our interactions with others in SA Health, the community, and those for whom we care.
Role Specification
The outcomes required of the role include:
- The Chief Paramedic Officer (CPO) is responsible for providing strategic professional leadership and advice to the Chief Executive (CE) DHW, DCE CSSI, HCEC, CEO SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. This advice includes issues related to, but not restricted to, paramedicine workforce and broader health system matters in relation to patient safety and quality improvement.
- This role oversees the development and implementation of policies, partnerships, and improvement initiatives to support the development and provision of safer, more effective, and better integrated patient care.
- Engagement with senior stakeholders and leaders across government and the broader health sector will be required. The role provides a link between SA Health, the DHW and a range of different health care settings in which paramedics work – both public and private.
- The role is responsible for contributing to the effective development of a paramedicine profession within South Australia to meet the needs of the SA public.
- Identify and support associated research and analysis of emerging issues of strategic and clinical significance in relation to paramedicine matters within the system.
- Support and advise DHW Health Protection and Regulation on matters relating to licencing, scope of practice, patient safety and quality, public safety considerations for private providers of ambulance services, event providers and event medical services.
Management |
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Professional Leadership / Advice |
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Continuous Improvement |
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SA Representative |
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Paramedic Workforce Skills Development |
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View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
Essential
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills:
- Ability to manage to the spirit and principles of the Premier’s Safety Commitment and the legislative requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA), utilising AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management- Principles and Guidelines, or to an equivalent set of standards
- Proven capacity to provide strong professional leadership, vision, and a contemporary approach to Paramedicine strategies, directions, and priorities within a global context.
- High level communication skills, including experience in providing authoritative technical advice to senior executive management to effectively negotiate outcomes within a politically sensitive environment.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and with capability to operate effectively in a complex, cross-cultural, and politically sensitive environment; experience in developing, building, and maintaining effective networks with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience:
- Be a recognised paramedic leader with extensive experience at a senior level to ensure a demonstrated understanding of the issues and opportunities for the profession.
- Experience providing specialist authoritative, strategic advice and expertise which has influence on organisational decision making with respect to quality and safety improvement.
- Relevant extensive experience in paramedicine.
- Significant experience and expert knowledge of related service delivery and regulatory environment.
- Experience in the management of risk and increasing the effectiveness and accountability of risk management strategies and organisational operations.
- High level skills and expertise in public speaking to both large and small groups of people and in liaison with the print and electronic media and in using the media to inform the public, on public health matters.
Knowledge:
- A sound understanding of emerging directions within health services, nationally and internationally.
- Knowledge of the political and socio-economic factors that impact on health services.
Desirable
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience in aeromedical and/or ground-based emergency response, rescue, and retrieval in a variety of settings and environments.
- Regional, rural or remote location experience
- Extensive experience in paramedicine.
Knowledge:
- Comprehensive understanding of the Australian health system and the SA health system.
- Annual Budget: Approx $1.4m
- Financial delegations: The CPO is a Level 2 Delegate, as defined in the DHW Human Resource Instrument of Delegations and Schedule of Authorisations, effective May 2025.
This is an SAES 1 appointment with remuneration commencing from $198,153 per annum inclusive of superannuation (full-time equivalent).
The immediate challenges for the role include, but are not limited to:
- Contribute to the effective development of the paramedicine profession within South Australia to meet the needs of the SA public.
- Leading and participating in implementation and continuous quality improvement of Paramedicine practice, assessing opportunities to design and modernise models of care, credentialing, scope of practice, and clinical governance in a range of health settings, within both the public and private sectors.
Internal
- The CPO is accountable to the DCE and is a source of advice to the CE DHW, CEO SAAS and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing on Paramedicine related matters.
- The CPO is a key member in Office for Professional Leadership, which comprises other Chief Clinical Officers at the DHW (Chief Allied and Scientific Health Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer and Chief Pharmacist).
- The CPO will be required to build and maintain effective working relationships with the Chief Executive Officer of the SA Ambulance Service, and with other leaders and stakeholders across SA Health and in the health system, particularly in paramedicine, to support SA Health’s functions.
External
- Where appropriate, represent SA Health and the DHW on relevant South Australian and national paramedicine groups and bodies.
- Develop and maintain strategic and working relationships and interfaces with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Paramedicine Board and a range of state and national agencies, organisations and industry and liaises with and influences other jurisdictions and the Commonwealth on Paramedicine related matters.
- Develop and maintain strategic and working relationships with Industrial and professional associations including but not limited to Ambulance Employees Association (SA) and Australasian College of Paramedicine.
Service Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Classification: SAES 1
FTE: 0.6 - 1.0 FTE
Qualifications:
- Essential:
- Current registration with the Paramedicine Board, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
- Desirable
- Relevant tertiary qualifications, preferably at Masters level or above.
- Relevant post graduate qualifications
- A contract term up to three years may be offered.
- It is mandatory to provide, prior to appointment, a satisfactory current Criminal and Relevant History Screening Check, as required by the SA Health Criminal and Relevant History Screening Policy Directive, and to meet any immunisation requirements outlined in the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive.
- Actively participate in the SA Public Sector biannual performance review process requirements.
- Adhere to the parameters of various legislative requirements including, but not limited to, Public Sector Act 2009, Health Care Act 2008, Work Health & Safety Act 2012 (SA), Return to Work Act 2014 (SA), relevant Regulations, and associated SA Health Policies and practices.
- Uphold the Code of Ethics for the Australian Public Sector requirements, work within the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment’s Directives, Determinations and Guidelines, and espouse the SA Health Values of Integrity, Respect, and Accountability.
- Adhere to the reporting requirements of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012 (SA).
- As a WHS Defined Officer exercise due diligence to ensure compliance with S27 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and will take reasonably practicable steps to enable an effective health and safety culture and accountability across SA Health, in accordance with the Act.
- Support the Department in its participation in the White Ribbon, Disability, and Reconciliation Agendas, and/or their successors.
- Promote and maintain a commitment to an inclusive workplace that employs and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other under-represented groups, and advocate Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, including the prevention of bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
- Create an inclusive and responsive environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers are welcomed, valued and respected for their cultural knowledge and lived experiences. Our commitment extends to enhancing culturally safe workplaces by investing in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, aligning with the SA Health Aboriginal Workforce Framework.
- Elevate the cultural capability of our non-Aboriginal staff, ensuring they can drive meaningful improvements in the health system, policies, planning and practices. This ensures our services are responsive to the cultural needs identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Adhere to SA Health policies, procedures and standards.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 15 November 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5599
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, Bradie Hammat: M: +61 (0)417 882 900 / E: bhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- A written response addressing the key selection criteria;
- An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae; and
- A completed copy of the South Australian Public Sector Pre-Employment Declaration.
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:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN ADELAIDE
Adelaide enjoys a reputation for remarkable liveability thanks to its pleasant climate, manageable size and relaxed South Australian pace.
With warm summers, mild winters and generally clear skies, the city balances sophisticated urban living with a laid-back lifestyle, all framed by easy access to coastal and wine-region escapes.
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Leafy suburbs offer both charm and community spirit, and many people appreciate the short commuting distances, affordable housing, and the distinctive character of areas such as North Adelaide, Norwood, Unley and the beachside suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach.
Golden hour at Glenelg Beach (Credit)
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are a green serene paradise in the middle of the city (Credit)
Nature is never far away. Just 20 minutes from the city centre are pristine beaches, hills made for hiking, and the surrounding park lands that wrap around the CBD. Beyond Adelaide, regional South Australia offers dramatic landscapes, national parks, and abundant wildlife - from rugged coastlines to outback ranges and hidden caves.
Education is well catered for across metropolitan Adelaide, with a mix of high-quality public and private schools and several world-class tertiary institutions including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.
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Food and wine are central to life in Adelaide, with a proud reputation as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World. The city is home to top chefs, boutique producers, and the iconic Adelaide Central Market - one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere.
With its blend of social vibrancy, natural beauty, culinary excellence, education and liveability, Adelaide offers a welcoming and well-balanced setting in which to live, learn and thrive.
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