Head of Department - Orthotics -REQ615293

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Orthotist / Prosthetist Lvl 6 - Full time equivalent base salary range (excludes super, leave loading and salary packaging)
Remuneration: 140288 - 143762
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ615293
Location: Westmead
Applications Close: Midnight 9 November 2025

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is the largest paediatric health care entity in Australia. We care for thousands of children each year in our hospitals and in their homes — with one purpose in mind — to help young people live their healthiest lives.

What you'll be doing

An exciting leadership opportunity is available at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for a passionate and experienced orthotist to lead our Orthotics Department.

This is a pivotal time for the hospital, with new state-of-the-art facilities nearing completion and a significant expansion of the Orthotics team underway. We are seeking a dynamic leader to guide the department through this exciting phase and into the future.

The Head of the Orthotics department (HOD) provides leadership to members of staff to ensure a high-quality tertiary paediatric Orthotics service. Note: the Sydney Children’s Hospital role also provides service to adults under shared care arrangements with Prince of Wales Hospital.

The department includes orthotists, technical officers, allied health assistants and admin staff. The staff work together to provide a safe, effective, efficient and responsive service.

The HOD provides leadership to ensure excellence in the Orthotics services provided to babies, children, young people and their families within the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. This involves responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Orthotics Department and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement, education and training, evidence-based practice and research. The Head of Department has professional accountability for all Orthotists in the hospital.

The department also provides NDIS funded services to eligible patients.  

The  role contributes to the delivery of clinical service to patients. The Orthotics Heads of Department within SCHN work collaboratively to align services in collaboration with key internal and external SCHN stakeholders and foster a positive and nourishing workplace culture that attracts, retains and develops quality staff. 

This extends to clinical service delivery, education and training for staff, quality improvement and research opportunities.

The Orthotic department provides a comprehensive range of orthotic services, including trauma, acute post-operative care to inpatients and outpatients. Orthotists attend clinics, wards and operating theatres as well as treat patients within the department's own outpatient clinical setting. All orthoses manufacture is completed on site with the help of Orthotic Technicians. The HOD is responsible for the safe and effective running of the manufacturing workshop. 

About You
We’re looking for someone who:

• A bachelor’s degree in prosthetics and/or orthotics which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association
• Post graduate experience as an Orthotist or extensive experience, including experience in working in a hospital and acute care environment dealing with children.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a team, including advanced interpersonal skills, time management and experience with staff recruitment and performance development.
• Capacity to provide clinical supervision and support to health professionals, technical and support staff, including a demonstrated ability to perform complex and novel technical tasks related to the provision of orthoses and the ability to guide clinical and technical staff in these areas.
• An understanding of the NSW Health system and knowledge of key reforms and strategic directions in NSW health, particularly in relation to paediatrics and child health.

How to Apply
Click ‘Apply Online’ and submit your application including:

• A resume detailing relevant knowledge, skills and experience (maximum 5 pages)

•  Describe how you demonstrate leadership in your current role.
• What strategies have you put in place that build a shared sense of direction, clarify priorities and goals, and inspire others to achieve them?
• Describe a situation where you changed or improved systems and processes to encourage performance and outcomes. What was the result?

Additional Benefits (for eligible employees)

• Salary packaging for tax savings
• Meal entertainment savings
• Accrued Day Off (ADO) for Full Time employees
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Passport
• Flexible Work Practice Opportunities

Need more information? 

1. Click here for the  Position Description. Find out more about applying for this position
2. Learn more about The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
3. Aboriginal job applicants are encouraged to visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application.

Further Contacts and Support
For role related queries or questions contact Clare Klimes on Clare.Klimes@health.nsw.gov.au

We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families that access the services we provide at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. For Aboriginal candidates who would like to talk to SCHN’s Aboriginal Workforce Consultant, please contact  SCHN-EA-AboriginalHealthDirectorate@health.nsw.gov.au

For technical support please contact the customer services team on 1300 679 367.