Planned Surgery Reform Project Officer

About the role

Portland District Health is recruiting a Registered Nurse to lead its Planned Surgery Improvement project. The role supports the service in implementing the Victorian Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint and the Department of Health's Planned Surgery Access Policy, moving toward readiness and reporting under the Elective Surgery Information System (ESIS). It is a fixed-term part-time position of 48 hours per fortnight, available from 29 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planned Surgery Improvement project to meet Department of Health requirements and transition the service to ESIS readiness and reporting.
• Work with departments, stakeholders and internal and external parties to implement patient-centred surgical pathways, equitable access and timely treatment.
• Ensure systems and processes put patients in optimal condition for surgery and discharge, and engage consumers fully in their care.
• Maximise theatre utilisation together with the Peri-operative Service Manager.
• Ensure elective surgery data reporting complies with Department of Health requirements.

Required profile

• Registered Nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via AHPRA.
• At least 5 years' clinical experience, preferably in perioperative or surgical access roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead service re-design and system implementation.
• Essential: knowledge of planned surgery principles and processes, and experience in data-driven quality improvement, audit and reporting.
• Desirable: postgraduate qualification in perioperative nursing, healthcare data management or health leadership; experience leading multidisciplinary teams; knowledge of compliance frameworks and statewide planned surgery policies.

Required skills

• Knowledge of, or capacity to lead, ESIS reporting readiness and compliance with Department of Health policy.
• Understanding of statewide surgical service priorities, including the Victorian Surgical Services Blueprint.
• High-level communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Independent leadership, change management and support of staff development.

What we offer

• Salary packaging.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Social club, free parking and corporate rates at the Portland Leisure & Aquatic Centre.
• Flexible working conditions, Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing initiatives.
• Relocation assistance available, subject to conditions.

Applications close 5 November 2026 and are made through the PDH website with a cover letter, resume and details of two referees. Candidates must also be eligible for a police record check or NDIS worker screening check, hold a Victorian Working with Children's check, show right to work in Australia and meet the immunisation policy.