Fixed Term Part Time – 48 hours per fortnight

Available from 29^th November 2026- 31st October 2027

An exciting and rewarding opportunity is available for a suitably qualified Registered Nurse to join the Nursing team at Portland District Health.

The Project Officer is responsible for leading and managing the Planned Surgery Improvement project at PDH to meet the requirements of the Department of Health (DH) Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint  and  DH Planned Surgery Access Policy and transition the health service to Elective Surgery Information System (ESIS) readiness and reporting.  Working with various departments, stakeholders, and internal and external parties the role will support PDH to implement the Victorian Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint and DH Planned Surgery Access policy to develop and implement patient-centred surgical pathways, equitable access, timely treatment, and system-level data reporting. The project officer will ensure systems and processes are in place to ensure patients are optimally prepared for surgery and discharge, consumers are fully engaged in their care, theatre utilisation is maximised in conjunction with the Peri-operative Service Manager, and elective surgery data reporting (ESIS) complies with Department of Health requirements.

About you:

• Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Minimum 5 years’ clinical experience, preferably in perioperative or  surgical access, roles
• Demonstrated ability to lead service re-design and system implementation.

DESIRABLE:

• Postgraduate qualifications in perioperative nursing, healthcare data management, or health leadership.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams or service redesign initiatives.
• Knowledge of health service compliance frameworks and statewide planned surgery policies

EXPERIENCE and/or SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE -

ESSENTIAL:

• Knowledge of planned surgery principles and processes
• Demonstrated experience in data-driven quality improvement, audit, and reporting processes.
• Knowledge of, or capacity to lead, ESIS reporting readiness and compliance with Department of Health policy documents.
• Demonstrated understanding of statewide surgical service priorities, including principles outlined in the Victorian Surgical Services Blueprint.
• High-level communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to provide independent leadership, change management and support staff development.

Please click here to view Position Description.

About us:

Portland District Health (PDH) provides an integrated health service for the community. The hospital was established in 1856 on the current site and now provides a comprehensive range of services that include:

• Hospital based Medical and Surgical services, Medical Imaging (Radiology), Pharmacy and Pathology
• A 24/7 Urgent Care Centre for emergency treatment
• Residential aged care for 30 residents at Harbourside Lodge
• An extensive range of primary and community services for the local community

PDH delivers services from a single campus, employs around 470 staff with an FTE of approximately 290, and has an active volunteer workforce. The People and Culture Unit sits within the Corporate Services Directorate, with other Units including Finance, Building Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Executive Support, Administration and Health Information.

Additional Benefits:

• Salary Packaging
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Social Club
• Free parking
• Portland Leisure & Aquatic Centre corporate rates
• Flexible working conditions
• Employee Assistance program
• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Relocation assistance available – conditions apply

The Region – Glenelg Shire:

Appreciate the beautiful surroundings of the Glenelg Shire, trek the Great South West Walk, Bridgewater Bay’s rugged coastline, or explore Budj Bim (a World Heritage site) and Mount Richmond National Park.

Affordable coastal, rural and low density urban housing, a choice or private and public primary and secondary school makes Portland an ideal place to work, live and raise a family.  To find out more about Portland visit the Glenelg Shire and I Am Portland websites.

How to apply:
Applications are through PDH website and must include:

• A letter which tells us who you are and why you should be our next team member. Look at the selection criteria in the position description for some ideas.
• A resume outlining your education, experience and work related achievements. We are looking to see if your employment and experience have set you up with skills needed to be successful in this role. 
• Details of at least two professional referees. We will be calling them and asking them a wide range of questions about how you performed as an employee in your past roles. They need to be able to provide feedback on your performance.

 
Applications from employment agencies may be submitted, however, PDH will not accept liability for the agency costs and fees. 

The successful applicant will be required to be eligible for and undergo the following:

• Police Record Check
• Current Victorian Working with Children's' check
• Current Immunisation status. This role must be meet the requirements of the Portland District Health Immunisation Policy.

Applications close: Wednesday 5th November 2026 at 12.00pm 

Portland District Health encourage and welcome applications from First Nation People, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.