Consultant Neonatologist/Deputy Head of Unit

• Location: Joan Kirner Women’s & Children’s Hospital (Sunshine)
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
• Salary: HM33-41 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role

• Consultant Neonatologist (1);
• Consultant Neonatologist – Deputy Head of Unit (1)

Are you passionate about delivering outstanding neonatal care and mentoring the next generation of clinicians? Join one of Victoria’s busiest maternity hospitals and make a real impact on newborn health outcomes.

Newborn Services (NBS) at JKWC provides level 6 intensive care for newborns from Western Health's own birthing population and is a referral destination serving a regional catchment of 80,000 births/year. The Neonatal Unit has 39 cots; 18 NICU /HDU cots and 21 SCN cots. The unit admits approximately 1,600 preterm, low-birthweight and critically ill newborns/year. Newborn Services is an ASUM accredited training site for neonatal heart, lung and brain USS, and point of care ultrasound actively complements clinical care in NICU. NBS is supported by on-site paediatric sub-specialists including; cardiology, neurology & MRI, ophthalmology and endocrinology. It is closely linked to a busy and growing general paediatric service.

As a Consultant in Newborn Services at Western Health, you will deliver high-quality clinical care in a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit. You’ll be part of a growing, dynamic team where your leadership and clinical experience will contribute directly to improved patient outcomes and service development. You’ll also support and supervise junior staff and play a key role in service planning and innovation aligned with Western Health's strategic priorities.

The Consultant Neonatologist-Deputy Head of Neonatal Unit Role, supports the Head of Unit in providing senior medical leadership for the care of critically ill and premature newborns within Newborn Services, supports Western Health's strategic priorities within an embedded culture of continuous learning, quality improvement, and research.

Beyond clinical oversight, the Deputy Head plays a central role within a cohesive, supportive, and high-performing team — fostering a culture where staff feel valued, connected, and motivated to grow, and where strong working relationships across disciplines translate into better patient outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Provide high-quality clinical care to newborns, including those requiring intensive and high-dependency care.
• Supervise, mentor and support Junior Medical Staff and medical students.
• Participate in service planning, development of clinical protocols, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to inter-professional collaboration and effective communication across departments.
• Lead by example in promoting compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centred care.

About you

• You are a qualified and registered medical specialist with clinical skills and consultant in a level 6 neonatal Intensive care unit.
• You demonstrate clinical leadership and excellence in supervising junior medical staff.
• You communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• You are passionate about continuous professional development and high standards of care.

Click here for the Consultant Neonatologist Position Description.

Click here for the Deputy Head of Unit Position Description.

About Western Health

Western Health is the leading healthcare provider in Melbourne’s West - one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most culturally and socioeconomically diverse regions.

More than 13,000 employees help deliver a comprehensive range of services across our hospitals, community, correctional, and home-based settings. These services include acute tertiary care, emergency and intensive care, medical and surgical specialties, mental health and wellbeing, subacute care, ambulatory care, primary care, home-based services, and residential aged care.

We are committed to driving innovation and sustainability that improves health outcomes for our community. With specialties spanning oncology, renal care, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic disease management, geriatrics, and cardiology, Western Health is recognised for its expertise in managing complex and chronic conditions through integrated, patient-centred care.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where you can make a meaningful impact. We support our staff to keep learning and growing through a diverse range of education programs, partnerships with universities in medical research and professional development opportunities.

Why join us?

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salaries, flexible work options, and wellbeing programs.
• Scholarships and grants to support ongoing learning.

Learning and Development

• Access personalised pathways through the Western Health Learning Academy.
• Opportunities for postgraduate study, clinical education, and mentorship.

Community Impact and Inclusion

• Make a difference through compassionate care in a diverse, inclusive workforce.
• Contribute to community wellbeing initiatives and healthcare research.

Organisational Culture and Environment

• Work in a collaborative, innovative team focused on continuous improvement and excellence.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re passionate about advancing neonatal care, mentoring others, and working in a collaborative and innovative environment, we’d love to hear from you. Click “Apply” to take the next step in your career.

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 14 October 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Clare Collins (Head of Newborn Services) on (03) 9055 2444 via [email protected].

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with lived experience that strengthens their ability to do this work.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health