Clinical Nurse Consultant - Addiction Medicine Outpatient Clinics

• Location: Footscray Hospital
• Employment Type: Part-Time (48 hours/fortnight), Ongoing
• Salary: CNC B $128K + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

 

About the Role:

Join Western Health Drug Health Services as a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC), supporting specialist Addiction Medicine and Nurse Practitioner outpatient clinics. You will provide advanced, evidence-based nursing care for people experiencing complex alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues, often alongside physical health, mental health and social challenges.

 

Working with Addiction Medicine specialists, Nurse Practitioners and the broader multidisciplinary team, you will help consumers access appropriate treatment, remain engaged in care and transition safely between hospital, specialist outpatient and community services. This role combines hands-on clinical care, coordination, clinical leadership and opportunities to improve outpatient pathways.

 

The role will be primarily based at Footscray Hospital, with flexibility to work across other Western Health Drug Health Services locations as required to meet operational and service needs.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Triage referrals, undertake clinical and substance use assessments, and coordinate individual treatment and follow-up plans.
• Support opioid pharmacotherapy, including nurse-led long-acting injectable buprenorphine clinics, medication administration and liaison with prescribers and pharmacy.
• Provide harm reduction education and interventions, including naloxone provision, blood-borne virus screening, pathology and other clinical procedures within scope.
• Work with consumers, multidisciplinary clinicians and community services to improve engagement, continuity of care and safe transitions to community treatment.
• Contribute specialist nursing advice, mentorship, evidence-based practice and quality improvement across outpatient services.

 

About You:

You are a skilled Registered Nurse who can combine sound clinical judgement with a respectful, harm-reduction approach to people with complex AOD and co-occurring mental health needs.

 

You bring:

• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse, with experience in a senior clinical role (CNS or above) and community nursing.
• Completed or progressing postgraduate study in a relevant specialty, together with AOD and/or dual diagnosis qualifications or core competencies.
• Experience assessing complex presentations, including psychiatric comorbidity, and developing treatment, post-withdrawal and discharge plans.
• Knowledge of the Victorian pharmacotherapy system, strong clinical risk assessment skills and the ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, prioritisation and organisational skills, and a commitment to culturally sensitive, evidence-based care for marginalised communities.

 

Click here for the Position Description.

 

About Western Health

Western Health is the leading healthcare provider in Melbourne’s West - one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most culturally and socioeconomically diverse regions.

More than 13,000 employees help deliver a comprehensive range of services across our hospitals, community, correctional, and home-based settings. These services include acute tertiary care, emergency and intensive care, medical and surgical specialties, mental health and wellbeing, subacute care, ambulatory care, primary care, home-based services, and residential aged care.

We are committed to driving innovation and sustainability that improves health outcomes for our community. With specialties spanning oncology, renal care, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic disease management, geriatrics, and cardiology, Western Health is recognised for its expertise in managing complex and chronic conditions through integrated, patient-centred care.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where you can make a meaningful impact. We support our staff to keep learning and growing through a diverse range of education programs, partnerships with universities in medical research and professional development opportunities.

 

Why join us?

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salaries, flexible work options, and wellbeing programs.
• Scholarships and grants to support ongoing learning.

 

Learning and Development

• Access personalised pathways through the Western Health Learning Academy.
• Opportunities for postgraduate study, clinical education, and mentorship.

 

Community Impact and Inclusion

• Make a difference through compassionate care in a diverse, inclusive workforce.
• Contribute to community wellbeing initiatives and healthcare research.

 

Organisational Culture and Environment

• Work in a collaborative, innovative team focused on continuous improvement and excellence.

 

Ready to make an impact?

If you are passionate about improving access to specialist addiction treatment and supporting people with complex needs through coordinated, person-centred outpatient care, we welcome your application. Simply click the “apply” button and follow the prompts.

 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

 

Closing date: 11:59pm on 25 November 2026.

 

Enquiries: For further information about this role, please contact Rawnik Dahal (Operations Lead Addiction Medicine & Integrated Care) on 0403 113 596 or Rawnik.Dahal@wh.org.au.

 

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with lived experience that strengthens their ability to do this work.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.