CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE
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Executive Summary
- Experienced Chief Medical Officer / Executive Director of Medical Services
- Strategic, transformational and innovative leader
- Focus on contemporary models of care and sustainable workforce
THE ORGANISATION
South West Healthcare is the largest sub-regional health service in Victoria; providing acute, mental health, rehabilitation, and aged care together with an extensive range of primary and community health services across the South West catchment. South West Healthcare will be a key lead agency for the South West Local Health Service Network to be established on 1 July 2025.
As the major specialist referral centre for the South West region, South West Healthcare provides a comprehensive range of specialist services through an array of surgical and medical specialties and support services.
With a total of 282 beds (216 acute, 36 aged care and 30 mental health), the organisation services a population in excess of 110,000, employing over 2,000 staff, across our campuses at Warrnambool, Camperdown, Macarthur and Lismore and in addition our Mental Health and Dental programs that also include Portland and Hamilton.
THE OPPORTUNITY
South West Healthcare (SWH) is seeking to appoint a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to join the unified executive leadership team of the Health service. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CMO will have a key role in regional leadership, including local and regional clinical governance and service delivery and will liaise closely with other health services in the South West region.
The role provides professional leadership across the medical workforce and will work closely and collaboratively with key clinical executive stakeholders to ensure appropriate clinical leadership is provided across the organisation. They will also play a key role in providing leadership and establishing professional relationships with the Clinical Directors, senior medical staff and ensuring effective management and engagement with junior medical staff across South West Healthcare.
The role is responsible for ensuring an effective credentialing and scope of practice system and related processes are in place and that all medical and dental staff are credentialed, their appointments are current and an appropriate scope of practice. This will include leading a joint system in place across multiple South West health services.
South West Healthcare is the lead agency of the newly established South West Local Health Service Network and the CMO will be pivotal in contributing and leading regional initiatives to enhance integrated clinical governance systems.
THE CANDIDATE
To be successful in this role the Chief Executive is seeking candidates with a collaborative leadership style, capable of leading and progressing the medical service by building strong relationships and fostering a culture of ‘together we can achieve more’.
Featuring everything a ‘big city’ has to offer including the arts, fine food, wine, good schools and a healthy vibrant lifestyle without the expensive price tag. Warrnambool is situated along the Great Ocean Road of Victoria and was voted Australia’s most liveable regional city in the IPSOS Life in Australia Survey. The coast, national parks and a cultural city awaits South West Healthcare’s next Chief Medical Officer.
This is a wonderful opportunity for either an established Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director of Medical Services or aspirational DMS with their sights set on a medical executive career pathway.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Liz Hlipala, HardyGroup Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 0401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
SOUTH WEST HEALTHCARE
South West Healthcare (SWH) is, very proudly, one of Victoria’s most established health services and is the largest sub-regional health service provider in the state.
Our regional footprint spans five local government areas with hospitals in Warrnambool and Camperdown, mental health services in four locations, five community health services and an aged care facility.
111,000 people live in South West Victoria, a vibrant region consisting of the five Local Government Areas of Warrnambool City and the Shires of Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne and Southern Grampians.
As the major specialist referral centre for the South West region, South West Healthcare provides a comprehensive range of specialist services through an array of surgical and medical specialties and support services. South West Healthcare has commenced a $450M capital works program consistent with its future role.
Vision
Leaders in healthcare, partners in wellbeing
Mission
To improve the health and wellbeing of South West Victorians by partnering with them, their communities and other providers to deliver high quality healthcare with a future-focus through our engaged, empowered and motivated workforce
Values
Care
We put the person at the centre of everything we do. We are compassionate and responsive to the needs of consumers of our service, their families, our staff and volunteers.
Respect
We behave in a manner that demonstrates trust, inclusion and mutual understanding. We respect diversity and communicate openly with consideration of others.
Integrity
We are transparent and ethical in all that we do. We are accountable for our decisions and actions. We embrace honest feedback and act on it.
Excellence
We ensure every interaction is of the highest standard, every time. We do not compromise on quality.
Leadership
We lead by example and empower everyone. We are strategic, responsive and resilient.
Strategic Plan
Great Healthcare Experience
We partner with consumers to achieve service excellence
Empowering Our People
We partner with consumers to achieve service excellence
Integrated, High Quality Care
We continually improve service delivery to achieve high quality outcome
Infrastructure that Supports Best Care
Future demand is planned and delivered through strategic investment
Partnering for Success
We are a highly valued partner and leader
Read more about South West Healthcare and its strategies here.
Role Specification
The CMO will have a key role in regional leadership, including local and regional clinical governance and service delivery and will liaise closely with other health services in the South West region. South West Healthcare is the lead agency of the newly established South West Local Health Service Network and the CMO will be pivotal in contributing and leading regional initiatives to enhance integrated clinical governance systems and processes. Additionally, the CMO will assume the DMS responsibilities across some South West small rural health agencies when agreed.
The CMO has direct responsibility for:
- The Medical Workforce Unit, which supports all facets of the junior medical workforce
- Recruitment, retention and management of senior medical specialists in conjunction with relevant Executives
- Assuring various College Accreditations and developing specialist medical models of care
- Education, training and professional development of all medical staff
- Providing leadership in managing human resources and industrial relations issues within the medical workforce, in consultation with the People & Culture Directorate.
- Director Medical Services/Fellow/Registrar in Medical Administration
- Director Clinical Training
- The Pharmacy department
- The Health Information Services department
- The Research department and broader Research
- Financial and budget accountability within the directorate
- Credentialing of and scope of practice for all medical staff and dentists
- Radiology and Pathology private contracts and delivery
- Overseeing regional collaboratives and University relationships
The CMO has joint responsibility with the:
- Relevant Executives for senior medical recruitment, performance management and contracts
- Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery Services for operationalising quality, risk and innovation systems and processes across clinical services
This position, amongst others, is responsible for promoting South West Healthcare as a high quality regional health service provider in medical services.
- Uphold and lead the values of South West Healthcare.
- Actively contribute as a trusted member of the South West Healthcare Executive team, collaborating with colleagues to drive improvements that enhance overall organisational and strategic outcomes for South West Healthcare.
- Lead and support organisational and regional portfolios as required.
- Provide leadership, advice, and where required, management across the South West Local Health Service Network.
- Ensure all medical practitioners and dentists are credentialed with clearly defined Scope of Clinical Practice aligned to the organisation’s capability framework, supported by comprehensive and contemporary credentialing and appointment processes, relevant governance structures, and policies that meet accreditation standards.
- Provide leadership and management of the Medical Services Directorate to ensure a skilled and capable medical workforce to maximise patient safety, experience and high-quality outcomes.
- Develop leadership capability and capacity across all levels of medical staff.
- Oversee the assessment, introduction and monitoring of new technology and procedures.
- Provide high level strategic clinical advice to the CEO and relevant stakeholders, identifying and defining innovative strategies to develop, enhance and grow clinical services in alignment with business objectives.
- Initiate, build, influence and maintain collaborative partnerships across the public health sector, education and the community.
- Partner with other South West health services to implement and improve innovative and integrated solutions.
- Facilitate and promote a research culture within the workforce, including management of the research and clinical trials teams.
- Ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory obligations by maintaining high-quality medical records and implementing regular auditing of clinical records against documentation standards.
- Drive compliance with National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and other relevant standards, regulations and legislation.
- In collaboration with the Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery Services, ensure robust systems are in place to effectively manage the quality improvement systems including clinical complaints, sentinel events / serious adverse patient safety events, and review of serious complaints. Monitor clinical quality indicators and performance outcomes, flag significant issues, investigate causes and implement improvement strategies across the organisation.
- Take responsibility for and oversee all medico-legal matters, including leading liaison with legal counsel and coordinating with the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority and legal advisors on reports and related issues.
- Implement Strategic Plan, annual Statement of Priorities and related clinical safety and quality programs.
- Monitor the external environment to enable anticipation of, and strategic responses to, changes in government policy, including regulatory requirements, as they relate to services provided by South West Healthcare and remain up to date with the latest research findings and therapeutic interventions to ensure clinical best practice and identify opportunities for collaboration and clinical integration both internally and externally.
- Represent South West Healthcare at relevant forums and as agreed with the Chief Executive Officer.
- Lead development of policies and practice across South West Healthcare.
- Provide appropriate reports, business cases and papers to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Management as requested.
- Provide professional leadership to clinical and non-clinical staff and service delivery. Liaise with the tertiary sector, and promote connection with medical education providers.
- Recruitment and retention of skilled medical staff to sustain and develop South West Healthcare.
- Medical staff are engaged, committed and actively participate in relevant organisational processes including quality improvement, risk management, performance management, education and training, mentoring, research and supervision of junior doctors.
- Effective relationships are developed and maintained with all relevant internal and external stakeholders.
- All relevant college and health service accreditation requirements are met.
- Quality, safety plans and activities are implemented in accordance with the relevant frameworks.
- Performance and development reviews are conducted annually.
- 100% of medical staff are credentialed and practising within scope.
- Oversee the development and implementation of the directorate specific business plan.
- Ability to operate within allocated budget.
- Achieve targets and key performance indicators outlined in annual performance review.
- Documented evidence of support to direct reports, including effective appraisal and feedback.
- Accountability for all medical teams ensuring a positive, engaging, high quality outcome for all people within the Medical Services Directorate.
- Ensuring an adequate workforce within the Medical Services directorate to deliver all functions.
- Ongoing measurement and relevant reporting of safety, management and risk.
- Comply with all relevant legislative requirements, organisational policies, by-laws, standing orders, vision or mission statements and values including, but not restricted to:
- Infection Control policies
- Confidentiality policy and privacy legislation
- Occupational Health and Safety policies and regulations
- Guidelines of the State Services Authority including the public sector
- Employment principles and Code of Conduct
- Fire, disaster and other emergency procedures
- Smoke Free Campus policy
- Risk Management policies and guidelines
- Consumer Participation Strategy
- Attend orientation/induction or other mandatory training and relevant Health Safety updates in areas such as;
- Fire, Emergency Responses and Manual Handling
- Respect the rights of individuals.
- Provide a child safe environment.
- Maintain a current Immunisation status in alignment with South West Healthcare’s Immunisation policy.
- Maintain a current and clear Criminal History Check (Police Check), Working with Children Check and NDIS
- Worker Screening Check where applicable.
- Promote the organisation in a positive manner.
- Participate as a cohesive member of the South West Healthcare team.
- Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement within the organisation.
- Accept responsibility for your own personal belongings.
- Respect and appropriately care for the organisation’s property and equipment.
- Participate in an annual Staff Development Review.
- 1.Demonstrated experience in leading and applying clinical governance frameworks and quality systems and related processes including credentialing, scope of practice and clinical risk management.
- 2.Demonstrated experience leading accreditation processes and applying quality improvement practices.
- 3.Experience at an executive level in a healthcare environment, with a sound understanding of medical service delivery.
- 4.Experience in effectively managing junior and senior medical staff.
- 5.Proven experience in recruiting and retaining specialist medical staff.
- 6.Experience in clinical service planning and policy and protocol development with a multidisciplinary setting with a patient centred focus.
- 7.Proven track record in financial management without compromising quality and safety of services.
- 8.Medico legal management experience and expertise.
The incumbent will have the following qualifications:
- Current registration or eligibility for registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
- Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA) (highly desirable).
- Tertiary qualifications such as MBA or health services management degrees (desirable).
The Chief Medical Officer will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of South West Healthcare.
Key Relationships
Internal:
- CEO
- Board Members
- Executive, Directors and Department Managers
- medical staff,
- members of the multidisciplinary team
- patients, residents and volunteers
External
- South West Local Health Service Network
- Department of Health
- Safer Care Victoria,
- Universities, Relevant professional bodies and medical colleges
- Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA
- Victorian Healthcare Association, Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, Australian Medical Association,
- Client/community-based organisations, and others by agreement
The SWH is on a growth trajectory and this role will be integral in the planning of the future medical workforce.
As a member of the senior leadership team the CMO will also contribute to the development of new regional models of care and service delivery. This is a real opportunity to make a difference to how healthcare is delivered in the region.
The role will work jointly with the Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery to ensure the safety and quality of service provision across the organisation.
To discuss remuneration please contact the Principal Consultant. The role is offered on a contract basis for a period of 3 – 5 year and is subject to the conditions of the Health Executive Employment Remuneration Policy.
Service Location: Warrnambool City
The closing date for applications is Monday, 21st July 2025
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5181
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, Natasha Tirado: M: +61 (0)468 301 310 / E: ntirado@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 3.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:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 0401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN WARRNAMBOOL
Our major city, Warrnambool, is one of the fastest-growing regional cities in Victoria. Warrnambool and the South West Region comprise the most liveable regional area in Australia, according to the 2021 Ipsos Life in Australia study. The climate is mild to warm and the region’s rich soil provides the basis for thriving horticulture, viticulture, dairy production, timber plantation/harvesting, cattle grazing and wool production. The world-famous Great Ocean Road and attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year and the natural resources of spectacular coastlines, volcanic craters, lakes and rivers offer a multitude of outdoor activities for all ages.
The area is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, lively community groups and great hospitality. Family living in the region is enhanced by housing affordability and excellent education, with government and independent options available at primary and secondary level, the region is home to South West TAFE and Deakin University Warrnambool.
With its spectacular coastlines, mountain cliffs, volcanic craters, lakes and waterfalls the South West region offers a multitude of outdoor activities for all ages.
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ABOUT US
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Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
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