Head of Discipline - Physiotherapy

Lead the Future of Physiotherapy - Inspire Excellence, Drive Innovation, and Shape Care Across Our Community

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Physiotherapist Level 6
Remuneration: $145,900.00 - $149,512.00 per annum + superannuation + salary packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ641430
Location: Maitland Hospital  

Applications Close: Wednesday 18th March 2026

About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring and forward-thinking leader to guide our Physiotherapy clinical services team in delivering exceptional, evidence-based patient care and improving health outcomes across our community.

This is the Head of Discipline role for Physiotherapy across our local facilities. Based primarily at Maitland Hospital, you will provide professional leadership, operational management and strategic direction to teams at:

• Maitland Hospital
• Kurri Kurri District Hospital
• Cessnock District Hospital
• Outreach services to Dungog Community Hospital

This is a dynamic and varied leadership role, combining:

• Strategic and professional governance responsibilities
• Operational management (recruitment, workforce planning, rostering and performance development)
• Ensuring robust clinical supervision and safe, high-quality care
• Active participation in governance structures, including comprehensive care and safety and quality initiatives
• Collaboration within the Allied Health Leadership Group to advocate for excellence across services

Importantly, the role also includes a dedicated clinical component (one day per week), in line with award requirements. While the current model includes service provision within an orthopaedic fracture clinic, there is flexibility to shape this clinical focus in alignment with service needs and your expertise.

You will report directly to the Director of Allied Health and work in close partnership with Heads of Discipline across Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, and Nutrition & Dietetics to drive innovation and excellence across allied health services.

Where You’ll Be Working

Your primary base will be Maitland Hospital, a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility experiencing significant growth and transformation. With rapidly evolving models of care and exciting service developments, this is an organisation embracing innovation and contemporary practice.

Our Physiotherapy team is at the forefront of service innovation, including:

• Primary Contact Physiotherapists in the Emergency Department
• Physiotherapy services embedded within ICU
• Dedicated roles within the Hunter Joint Centre
• Expanding and evolving models of ambulatory and inpatient care

This is a period of genuine opportunity. The hospital has undergone substantial change in a short time, and we are seeking a leader who can harness this momentum - fresh perspective, big-picture thinking, and strong change management capability to help shape the next phase of service evolution.

You will lead an exceptional team of highly skilled, patient-focused physiotherapists who are deeply committed to delivering outstanding care. The culture is collaborative, supportive and driven by excellence.

Beyond the local facilities, you will be part of a broader district-wide network of Physiotherapy Managers who meet regularly to collaborate and share expertise, as well as an established Allied Health executive leadership structure that provides strong professional support and advocacy.

At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Proximity to shopping and other services
• ADO's each month (for full time employees)
• Salary packaging options
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals

About You

You are a capable and confident leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. You balance strategic thinking with operational excellence and understand how to lead teams through growth and change while maintaining high standards of care.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical service management
• Strong change management capability and a vision for contemporary physiotherapy practice
• Commitment to evidence-based care and continuous service improvement
• High-level organisational and time management skills, with the ability to oversee services across multiple sites
• Experience in workforce management, clinical governance and quality improvement
• A collaborative leadership style that supports and empowers staff
• A passion for developing people and fostering professional growth

Most importantly, you will value people - patients, staff and community - and be motivated to build on an already strong foundation to further enhance the quality, accessibility and innovation of physiotherapy services across our region.

If you are ready to lead, influence and shape the future of physiotherapy services within a progressive and expanding health service, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Information:
 

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies. 

• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.   

• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. 

Need more information? 

  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Angela Towns on Angela.Towns@health.nsw.gov.au