Scientific and Quality SME
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time up until June 2028 with potential for ongoing employment
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 3
Remuneration: $137,525 - $156,231 per annum + Superannuation
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ680422
Location: Syndey or Newcastle - Negotiable
Applications Close: 23 August 2026 - 11:59pm
Passionate about quality, standardisation and innovation? Bring your expertise in pathology, accreditation and laboratory practice to the Fusion program and help deliver a world-class digital pathology solution that will support safer, more consistent and more efficient patient care across NSW.
About the opportunity
NSW Health Pathology is Australia's largest public pathology service, providing high-quality, patient-centred diagnostic services to communities across New South Wales. As part of the Fusion program, you'll work alongside a diverse network of scientific, clinical, technical and operational experts to deliver one of the largest digital pathology transformations in Australia. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of pathology by helping design and implement a statewide Laboratory Information Management System that will improve patient care, standardise laboratory practice and support innovation across the health system. We foster a collaborative, inclusive and flexible working environment that values expertise, continuous learning and professional growth, empowering our people to make a lasting impact on pathology services across NSW.
We are seeking a Scientific and Quality Subject Matter Expert to provide specialist scientific, quality and accreditation expertise, with a particular focus on supporting NATA accreditation requirements for SWLIMS and related Fusion products.
This role will work closely with scientific, quality, operational and project teams to help ensure Fusion deliverables are aligned with accreditation obligations, quality management expectations and the needs of pathology services. The position will also provide planned coverage and support for the Scientific Lead function during periods of leave, strengthening continuity, resilience and scientific leadership across the program.
What you'll be doing
The Scientific and Quality Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a key member of the Fusion transformation program, supporting the implementation of the Statewide Laboratory Information Management System (SWLIMS). The SME provides expert scientific and quality leadership across pathology disciplines, applying broad knowledge of laboratory practice, quality management systems and accreditation standards to support the design and implementation of standardised statewide workflows.
The SME understands, articulates and promotes best practice within their area of expertise and leads, or actively participates in, multidisciplinary working groups requiring specialised scientific and quality knowledge. Working collaboratively with clinical, scientific, operational and technical stakeholders, the SME contributes to the development of business and technical requirements, ensuring that solutions align with contemporary pathology practice, regulatory requirements and statewide service objectives.
The SME evaluates organisational and laboratory workflow requirements, recommends evidence-based design solutions, and works as part of the Business Implementation Group to support the design, configuration, testing, validation and implementation of SW LIMS functionality. The role also provides expert advice to ensure solutions comply with relevant quality and accreditation standards, including ISO 15189, NATA and NPAAC requirements, while supporting the delivery of safe, efficient and standardised pathology services across NSW Health Pathology.
What we can offer you
Financial Benefits - Generous salary packaging options and other fringe benefits
Work-life Balance - Up to 12 additional days off per year in addition to Annual Leave (for full-time employees)
Professional Growth - Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning
Health & Wellbeing - Fitness Passport gym discounts and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and families.
Interested in joining Australia’s largest public pathology service? Apply now by addressing the following questions:
- Broad and deep knowledge of pathology processes and workflows, including extensive practical knowledge across multiple pathology disciplines, clinical and scientific laboratory operations, and relevant tertiary qualifications in pathology or a related scientific discipline.
- Demonstrated authority and responsibility for a significant area of professional practice, including policy development, interpretation and application, with recognised credentials as a leading Subject Matter Expert who is relied upon to provide authoritative advice, resolve complex issues and explain both the practical application and scientific rationale underpinning laboratory practice.
- Demonstrated ability to apply expert scientific, quality and regulatory knowledge to resolve complex challenges, exercising sound judgement and evidence-based decision-making while identifying risks, anomalies and opportunities for process improvement. This includes expert understanding and application of pathology quality management systems, ISO 15189, NATA accreditation requirements, NPAAC standards and associated governance frameworks to support compliant and continuously improving laboratory services.
- Proven high-level written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific, quality and technical concepts clearly to a broad range of clinical, scientific, operational and technical stakeholders.
- Demonstrated understanding of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and how laboratory information systems, instrument middleware and digital workflows support safe, efficient and compliant pathology service delivery.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to elicit, analyse and translate complex laboratory workflow, quality and operational requirements into practical system configuration and business solutions within a large and complex pathology service.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, using expert knowledge to synthesise differing viewpoints, identify critical issues and facilitate consensus to achieve statewide standardisation, workflow optimisation, digital transformation and service improvement outcomes within a complex healthcare environment.
- Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities, including the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, influence decision-making and support the implementation of technical and business change within a complex healthcare environment.
Information for applicants
NSW Health Pathology is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We value, and welcome all suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
NSW Health Pathology is committed to providing accessibility and reasonable accommodations and ensuring our recruitment process is flexible, inclusive, and free from barriers, promoting equal opportunities for all to succeed. Please reach out if you need adjustments.
NSW Health Pathology is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce in public health. For Aboriginal candidates, support is available through the Stepping Up website
You must have valid working rights in Australia for the duration of the appointment to be eligible to apply.
All workers must meet NSW Health’s vaccination and screening requirements before starting employment. See PD2026_004 for more detail. The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.
An eligibility list may be created for similar vacancies in the future.
- We encourage applicants to submit responses that reflect their own experiences and perspectives. Please note that applications that appear to be generated by AI tools or copied from external sources may not be considered
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 Jane Drury on Jane.Kitcher@health.nsw.gov.au
To learn more about NSWHP please visit “Life at NSW Health Pathology” or connect with us on LinkedIn!
