Specialist Pharmacotherapy Service Clinician

• Location: Footscray Hospital 
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing (with monthly Accrued Day Off)
• Salary: CDW Class 2A, Social Worker Grade 2, Psychologist Grade 2, or CNC A/B (per award, commensurate with experience) + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

 

About the role:

The Specialist Pharmacotherapy Services (SPS) is seeking a suitably skilled and motivated alcohol and other drugs (AOD), professional clinician to work within the Adult and Specialist Services suite of multidisciplinary programmes at Drug Health Services, Western Health.

 

The SPS Clinician delivers care to metropolitan and regional AOD users, their families, friends, carers, and the wider community.

 

The clinicians target client group is characterised by people with multiple and complex co-morbidities, primarily opioid dependency requiring a skilled and sensitive approach to engagement and whose needs cannot be met solely by their regular pharmacotherapy prescriber.

 

These include clients with unstable psychiatric conditions; high-risk patterns of substance abuse; challenging behaviours unable to be managed in other community setting; chronic pain disorders who are using licit and illicit opioids; pregnancy and substance abuse issues, and medical conditions such as HIV and hepatitis C.

 

SPS also provides nurse clinics to pharmacotherapy clients and a consultative service to staff at Drug Health Services, Western Health including the broader AOD service sector on opinion about management of clients with complex issues related to Opiate Dependent Therapy (ODT).

 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide specialist assessment, treatment and stabilisation for people receiving opiate dependent therapy who have complex medical, psychiatric or psychosocial problems.
• Support clients accessing/stabilising/maintaining opiate dependent therapy in the community. Undertaking weekly/twice weekly AOD Comprehensive assessments.
• Provide case management and counselling support to clients on ODT.
• Liaise with community GP's and pharmacists to monitor client engagement.
• Collaborate with Addiction Consultants, Registrars and Nurse Practitioners related to ODT.
• Be involved in Clinical Research trial related to opioid dependent treatment.

 

About you:

• Current registration/s and/or qualification/s as applicable to your discipline of practice. Have completed, or be working towards, a Masters in Nursing or Post Graduate Diploma in area of specialty.
• Experience working in a senior clinical role (eg. CNS or above for nurses).
• Demonstrated experience in the provision of Drug and Alcohol services for clients and/or their families and groups affected by substance use.
• Ability to contribute to a multidisciplinary team and to establish effective relationships with staff, clients, families and workers in both the AOD and mental health sector and community agencies.
• Current Victorian driver’s licence and current Working with Children Check.

 

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’re passionate about the delivery of specialist care in drug health services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on 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 23 November 2026.

 

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Aman Chahal on 0481 098 120 or Amandeep.Chahal@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.