Staff Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine - John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle NSW
REQ634824
Staff Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine
John Hunter Hospital
Newcastle NSW
Permanent part time up to 0.9 FTE available
Possibility of job share of smaller FTE to the right candidates
Join Us
Be part of a forward-thinking rehabilitation service at a pivotal time of growth and transformation. At Hunter New England Health, your expertise will be valued, your career supported, and your lifestyle enhanced.
Take the next step in your rehabilitation medicine career - live well, work meaningfully, and make a lasting difference at John Hunter Hospital.
Why John Hunter Hospital?
John Hunter Hospital (JHH) is the principal tertiary referral centre for Hunter New England and northern NSW, delivering comprehensive, high-acuity care supported by strong academic partnerships and a culture of innovation. Our Rehabilitation Service is integral to patient recovery, working seamlessly across inpatient, outpatient and community settings to achieve meaningful outcomes for patients and families.
With the new Acute Services Building at JHH scheduled for completion in 2026, this is a unique opportunity to join us as we expand and integrate world-class acute and rehabilitation services within a state-of-the-art facility. The upcoming Acute Services Building will significantly increase ICU, Emergency Department, maternity and surgical capacity, further strengthening integration between acute and rehabilitation services. Click here for more details
About the Role
As a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, you will provide consultancy-level clinical services in collaboration with a highly skilled team of Rehabilitation Medicine specialists and multidisciplinary professionals.
Your clinical practice will include both general and specialist rehabilitation programs, encompassing:
- Stroke and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
- Spinal cord impairment
- Amputee rehabilitation
- Complex medical rehabilitation
- Community transition and discharge planning
Some rehabilitation services are currently delivered from Maitland Hospital, ensuring continuity of care while construction progresses at JHH. This arrangement offers exposure to varied clinical environments and strong links across the district.
Our Ideal Candidate
You are a motivated and collaborative specialist who is passionate about restoring function and improving quality of life. You will bring:
• Fellowship of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FAFRM, RACP)
• Current registration with AHPRA
• Recent, broad experience across inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings
• Proven skills in developing and implementing individualised rehabilitation goals and discharge plans
• Experience with FIM / AROC data collection and its application to quality improvement and clinical practice
Live and Work in Newcastle
In short, Newcastle offers the rare opportunity to advance your career without compromising the life you want to lead.
Located just two hours north of Sydney, Newcastle is one of Australia’s most liveable coastal cities, offering an exceptional balance of career opportunity, lifestyle and affordability.
Wake up to golden surf beaches, ocean baths and coastal walks right on your doorstep, with iconic locations such as Nobbys Beach, Merewether and Bar Beach perfect for an early swim or post work unwind. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Newcastle provides easy access to national parks, cycling and walking trails, the Hunter Valley wine region, and weekend coastal escapes, all without the congestion of a capital city.
Newcastle is also a thriving regional hub with a vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts award winning cafés and restaurants, theatres, live music and arts precincts, professional sporting teams, and a welcoming, diverse community. Families are well supported with a broad range of high quality public and private schools, childcare options, and a growing university and research sector.
Housing remains significantly more affordable than metro areas, allowing clinicians and your families to enjoy spacious homes, short commute times and a higher quality of life. Whether you prefer beachside living, leafy suburbs or semi rural surrounds, Newcastle offers choice and flexibility for every stage of life.
Importantly, Newcastle allows you to practice at a tertiary referral, cutting edge health service while enjoying the lifestyle benefits traditionally associated with smaller coastal towns. It’s a place where you can build a fulfilling, long term medical career, raise a family, pursue interests outside of work, and still feel connected, challenged and professionally supported.
Academic and Research Connections
Hunter New England Health has strong, established partnerships with the University of Newcastle (UoN) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), creating exceptional opportunities for clinicians with interests in teaching, research and innovation. These links support involvement in clinical teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate trainees, participation in locally led and multicentre research projects, and access to a collaborative network of clinician researchers. Clinicians are encouraged to pursue academic appointments, contribute to service focused research, and translate evidence into practice, all within a health district that actively values education, inquiry and continuous improvement.
Sustainable Healthcare: Together Towards Zero
John Hunter Hospital is committed to environmentally sustainable healthcare, with ongoing initiatives focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction and responsible resource use. Sustainability is a key consideration to reduce environmental impact while supporting a safe, healthy workplace for staff and patients. This commitment reflects Hunter New England Health’s broader goal of delivering high quality care in a way that supports both community and environmental wellbeing. Click here for more details
HNELHD Senior Medical Recruitment & Medical Settlement Concierge Support
Uniquely Hunter New England Health is supported by a dedicated Senior Medical Recruitment Team and Medical Settlement Concierge Service, focused on making the transition to working in the district as seamless as possible. From initial enquiry and appointment through to onboarding, credentialing and relocation support, the team provides personalised assistance for clinicians and their families. This end to end approach ensures new medical staff and families, including furry family members, feel welcomed, well supported and able to settle quickly, so they can focus on delivering outstanding patient care and enjoying living in our district. Click here for more Medical Settlement Concierge details
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
Applications Close: Sunday 8th February 2026
An eligibility list will be created for future permanent and temporary part time positions
For a confidential discussion about the role please contact:
Dr Michael Pollack, Director Rehabilitation Medicine, John Hunter Hospital via EA (02) 4921 4840
Application Enquiries: Stacey Burbridge, HNELHD Senior Medical Recruitment
E: Stacey.Burbridge@health.nsw.gov.au Ph: 02 498 53297
Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases - this is a Category A position. Please read and understand NSW Health policy directive (PD2022_030). All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Agency applications are NOT accepted, thank you
