Better and fairer care. Always.
St Vincent's has been a leader in Australia's health and aged care landscape for more than 165 years. Since our founders, the Sisters of Charity, opened our first hospital in 1857, our services and people have been behind some of Australia's most important medical breakthroughs. We are a microcosm of our Australia’s health and aged care system and are uniquely positioned to lead and respond to our rapidly changing environment.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a special kind of person - a St Vincent’s kind of person. Someone who puts compassion, connection and caring for other people at the heart of everything they do.
Reporting to our Chief Nursing Officer and a key member of the Executive team, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is seeking to appoint a Director First Nations Health to provide leadership across all St Vincent’s First Nations Services.
A pivotal appointment within St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, located on the home of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Director First Nations Health will drive strategic implementation of organisational critical strategies to ensure the cultural safety of First Nations people throughout clinical and employment practices.
Delivering cultural leadership to First Nations staff with a focus on those in Indigenous-identified positions, the Director First Nations Health will fostering tight knit, productive relationships throughout St Vincent’s including sub-acute and community-based sites.
Success in this role will be founded on an ability to ensure the principles of co-design, collaborative decision making, and self-determination underpin all First Nations matters, ultimately educating and advising First Nations and non-Indigenous staff regarding the provision of culturally enhanced care across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Primary day to day accountabilities for this high-profile leadership appointment include:
Provide cultural leadership to First Nations staff, particularly those in identified positions, their departmental leads, and direct reports
Support the provision of culturally specific services by identified positions outside of First Nations Services
Work collaboratively with SVHM’s internal stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor organisational performance measures that help deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed and person-centred care
Represent First Nations Services within the organisation’s tiered management system, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration driving integration of culturally safe, trauma-informed and appropriate care across the patient journey within the health service and beyond – ensuring this is part of BAU care planning and provision
Accountable for the achievement of KPIs, including specific targets set under the Statement of Priorities in terms of access, activity, quality and financial performance as they relate to First Nations Services
Provide authoritative advice regarding culturally safe practices across the organisation
Advise and make recommendations to the SVHM Executive and CEO on all matters relating to First Nations policies, projects, and research, including strategic opportunities, improved cultural safety, and internal and external stakeholder issues
Co-chair the SVHM & St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne (SVPHM) Reconciliation Action Plan Steering Committee and represent SVHM and SVPHM at the national-level SVHA RAP Committee
Lead the development, drive the implementation and report on the annual Department of Health Cultural Safety Plan
Effectively advocate for new service and funding opportunities through development of business plans and papers for the Executive
Collaborate with key external stakeholders to maintain and sustain formal partnerships (e.g. VAHS MoU), operationalise SVHM strategies including promoting care in the community; and promote the growth of SVHM’s clinical and non-clinical services to First Nations people
St Vincent’s are proud of the amazing work already achieved in this space; this role represents a fantastic opportunity to build on this work and further connect with First Nations patients and staff across the entire St Vincent’s network.
Selection Criteria
When formalising your application, please consider the following selection criteria:
Confirmation of Aboriginality
Tertiary qualification and AHPRA registration as a health professional.
Clinical experience in a health setting
Experienced people manager with ability to manage complex teams
Proven ability to manage complex situations and risk, including supporting First Nations staff
Demonstrated understanding of the healthcare environment, including key safety, quality, financial and overall system drivers
Experience operationalising strategic objectives to drive improvement and deliver organisational performance measures
Comfortable providing authoritative and nuanced culturally specific advice.
Proven ability to drive change and innovation in a healthcare setting
Superior written and verbal communication skills to effectively represent First Nations Services and advocate for improvements
Whilst not critical to this appointment, relevant post graduate qualifications and management experience within a First Nations-specific health setting is an advantage.
Because you’re like us, you believe in our vision that every person, whoever and wherever they are, is served with excellent and compassionate care, by a better and fairer health and aged care system. Better for all our employees and volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients and clients. And better support for the local communities we play an important role in and continue to support.
Please note this is a targeted position under Section 126 of the Ant Discrimination Act.
Pre-Employment Checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment checks, including relevant immunisations.
Equal Opportunity
We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone.
How To Apply
Please submit your application via the Apply Now button, including your resume and cover letter.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 19th April 2026.
For further enquiries or to book a face-to-face yarn and tour of SVHM and the executive team, please contact either Makayla Cradock (Indigenous Talent Advisor) 0402 157 215 / makayla.cradock@svha.org.au or Warren Tewkesbury (Talent Transformation Lead) 0421 569 213 / warren.tewkesbury@svha.org.au.
Please note this role is based in Melbourne however we welcome interest from candidates nationwide.
Respectfully, no recruitment agencies.
THE ORGANISATION AND OUR MISSION
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service, which employs more than 7,500 staff across 18 sites throughout Melbourne.
Part of Australia's largest not-for-profit Catholic health and aged care network, St Vincent's Health Australia, SVHM provides a diverse range of adult clinical services including acute medical and surgical services, sub-acute care, medical diagnostics, rehabilitation, allied health, mental health, palliative care, correctional health and community residential care.
SVHM's mission is to provide high quality and efficient health services to the people of Victoria in accordance with the philosophy of St Vincent’s Health Australia. This mission is based on the values of compassion, justice, integrity and excellence.
LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Director First Nations Health (DFNH) will be based at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) Fitzroy campus and provide leadership across all SVHM First Nations Services. First Nations Services drives self-determination, co-design and cultural safety for First Nations people across the organisation through policy reform, improvement projects, consultation, and cultural support for staff and patients. First Nations identified positions exist across the breadth of the organisation but are linked through the strategic vision and cultural support of First Nations Services. The suite of services includes the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Office (AHLO), which promotes culturally safe experiences of care aimed at improved health outcomes for First Nations patients through provision of cultural support, and culturally specific secondary consultation to clinicians and clinical teams.
POSITION PURPOSE
Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), and as a core member of the SVHM Executive team, the Director First Nations Health will be a dynamic and flexible leader across all First Nations Services at SVHM. The DFNH will drive, influence and promote the implementation of strategies to integrate cultural safety for First Nations people across the organisation in clinical and employment practices. The role will provide cultural leadership to First Nations staff across the organisation (approx. 90-100 staff), in particular First Nations staff in Indigenous-identified positions in mainstream directorates, and the AHLO Manager.
As a core member of the SVHM Executive team, the DFNH will be responsible for educating / advising First Nations and non-Indigenous staff regarding the provision of culturally enhanced care across the organisation, understanding and working in accordance with all relevant frameworks and policies related to First Nations Health. The role will foster collaborative relationships across the breadth of the organisation – including at SVHM’s sub-acute and community-based sites, with a focus on relationships at Executive and General Manager levels. The Director First Nations Health will ensure that the principles of co-design, collaborative decision making, and self-determination underpin all First Nations matters.
POSITION DUTIES
Leadership and Cultural Support of First Nations staff
Provide cultural leadership to First Nations staff, particularly those in identified positions, their departmental leads, and direct reports
Support the provision of culturally specific services by identified positions outside of First Nations Services
Operational
Work collaboratively with SVHM’s internal stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor organisational performance measures that help deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed and person-centred care
Represent First Nations Services within the organisation’s tiered management system, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration driving integration of culturally safe, trauma-informed and appropriate care across the patient journey within the health service and beyond – ensuring this is part of BAU care planning and provision
Accountable for the achievement of KPIs, including specific targets set under the Statement of Priorities in terms of access, activity, quality and financial performance as they relate to First Nations Services
Provide authoritative advice regarding culturally safe practices across the organisation
Collaborate with line managers in other directorates where appropriate to optimise and seek out new opportunities for the provision of culturally specific services for First Nations peoples
Strategic
Understand and work in accordance with relevant strategic frameworks, including:
St Vincent’s Strategy 2030
Closing the Gap, Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet 2020
United Nations Rights of the Declaration of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations 2007
Advise and make recommendations to the SVHM Executive and CEO on all matters relating to First Nations policies, projects, and research, including strategic opportunities, improved cultural safety, and internal and external stakeholder issues
Co-chair the SVHM & St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne (SVPHM) Reconciliation Action Plan Steering Committee and represent SVHM and SVPHM at the national-level SVHA RAP Committee
Lead the development, drive the implementation and report on the annual Department of Health Cultural Safety Plan
Effectively advocate for new service and funding opportunities through development of business plans and papers for the Executive
Collaborate with key external stakeholders to maintain and sustain formal partnerships (e.g. VAHS MoU), operationalise SVHM strategies including promoting care in the community; and promote the growth of SVHM’s clinical and non-clinical services to First Nations people
Lead dialogue and advocacy to government and external stakeholders relevant to First Nations matters, influencing and leveraging relationships to favourably position SVHM as an employer and care provider of choice for First Nations people in Victoria
Drive the reputation of SVHM in First Nations communities
Provide management support to the First Nations Health Consumer Panel as its Executive Officer
INCUMBENT OBLIGATIONS
General
Perform the duties of the position to the best of their ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHM
Comply with and ensure all those in the area they manage, comply with all SVHM requirements policies, procedures, by laws and directions
Ensure all those in the area they manage, only access confidential information held by SVHM when this is necessary for business purposes, maintaining the confidentiality of that information once accessed
Display adaptability and flexibility to meet the changing operational needs of the business
Maintain skills and knowledge necessary to safely and skilfully undertake duties.
Take personal responsibility for the quality and safety of work performed
Recognise the relationship between clinical and non-clinical functions in the achievement of optimal safety and quality care
Take all necessary care and precautions in the performance of duties.
Participate in risk management and continuous quality improvement activities as part of day-to-day work
Health and Safety
Ensure all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions are complied with in the area they manage
Report incidents and accidents and collaborate with management to resolve safety issues
Ensure all in the area they manage undertake annual Fire and Emergency Training and comply with fire and emergency procedures
Ensure all those in the area they manage, treat others with respect, behaving professionally and in accordance with the SVHM Code of Conduct and undertaking annual Workplace Culture and Equity Training
Conduct regular safety audits with Health and Safety Representatives and implement required improvements
Minimise Work Cover costs by actively assisting the return to work of any employee injured in the area they manage
As required, comply with fit-testing and PPE requirements
Human Resource Management
Ensure that workforce planning is regularly undertaken and implemented to provide for the ongoing resource needs of the area they manage
Ensure recruitment and working practices comply with applicable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and cost effectively support delivery of quality service
Ensure new employees are properly inducted to their local work environment and attend the General Hospital Orientation program
Ensure all those who work in the area managed, undertake an annual performance review and are developed to reach their full potential
Maintaining skills and knowledge necessary to safely and skilfully undertake duties
Ensure leave is rostered fairly and that employees in the area managed, regularly take leave and do not accumulate excessive leave except where a plan is in place as to when that leave will be taken
Actively manage individual and team performance to maximise performance and minimise workplace problems and conflict
Continuously seek individual and team improvement and take responsibility for the introduction of any changes required to bring about such improvements
Financial management
Participate in the development of the annual budget allocation for the areas managed
Monitor EFT and expenditure to ensure spending remains within budget allocation
Ensure decision making remains within delegated authority
SELECTION CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL REGISTRATION, LICENSE OR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Confirmation of Aboriginality
Tertiary qualification and AHPRA registration as a health professional
Clinical experience in a health setting
Experienced people manager with ability to manage complex teams
OTHER ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
Proven ability to manage complex situations and risk, including supporting First Nations staff
Demonstrated understanding of the healthcare environment, including key safety, quality, financial and overall system drivers
Experience operationalising strategic objectives to drive improvement and deliver organisational performance measures
Comfortable providing authoritative and nuanced culturally specific advice
Demonstrated ability to deliver targets on time and within a budget
Proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with internal senior manager stakeholders
Proven ability to drive change and innovation in a healthcare setting
Ability to establish and maintain external stakeholder relationships to drive improved outcomes
Superior written and verbal communication skills to effectively represent First Nations Services and advocate for improvements
OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Post-graduate qualifications or working towards, desirable
Management experience within a First Nations-specific health setting is an advantage
At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au
View Reconciliation Action Plan