Chief Psychiatrist

• Provide visionary and contemporary leadership to clinical mental health services
• Statutory appointment
• Steward Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing sector

The Position

The Department of Health (VIC) seeks to appoint the state’s next Chief Psychiatrist. As the most senior Psychiatrist in Victoria, this is a critical statutory position with responsibility to enhance the experience of consumers receiving assessment and treatment for mental illness and their carers.  The Chief Psychiatrist will provide advice and contemporary leadership to clinical mental health services, promoting continuous improvement in the quality and safety of these services. The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist will also partner with other teams and agencies across the Victorian public service to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Reporting into the Deputy Secretary, Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Chief Psychiatrist will lead a direct reporting team of five and overall office of 15. The position will foster key relationships across the Mental Health and Wellbeing division, with a particular focus on engagement with other executives of the division. The Chief Psychiatrist will mentor clinical service providers to ensure compliance, investigate incidences, review and audit service provision, publish guidelines and promote the rights of people receiving mental health and wellbeing services. This is a career defining and legacy position for a dynamic and contemporary leader to bring a fresh lens and momentum to the Department.

With an inherent passion for the core clinical focus of the role, the appointee will present as a genuine and values-based leader who has the capability to prioritise relationships and initiate collaboration with both internal stakeholders in the Department and also the sector more broadly. With a vast reform agenda in play over the next ten years, the appointee will bring together interdepartmental stakeholders and the sector to build partnerships with the sector to deliver outcomes. Demonstrating a respectful, humble and curious approach the successful candidate will support the Department’s approach to placing lived experience at the centre of mental health and wellbeing reform.

The Organisation

At the Victorian Department of Health, we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, where our workplaces are productive and safe, and where our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe, and to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

For more information on the Department of Health visit: www.health.vic.gov.au/about

To apply: click on ‘APPLY NOW’ and using reference DOHpsy1123 address your cover letter and resume to Liz Jones or Dani White, of Fisher Leadership, or call 1300 347 437 for further information.