An exceptional leadership opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to step into a dual Clinical Director and Staff Specialist role within a progressive and expanding Local Health District on the New South Wales Central Coast. This is a rare chance to lead, shape, and grow mental health services for a community of approximately 300,000 residents — projected to reach 450,000 by 2030.
This position carries responsibilities across two well-resourced metropolitan-level hospitals within the district, operating under Sessional arrangements at the primary facility and Fee for Service arrangements at the secondary site. Both hospitals are supported by strong academic ties with a leading Sydney teaching hospital and a regional university, providing excellent opportunities for research, education, and clinical collaboration.
THE HOSPITALS
Primary Hospital — Tertiary-Level Referral Centre
The primary facility is the district’s flagship tertiary referral hospital, operating with approximately 350 beds. It provides a comprehensive range of acute medical, surgical, and specialist services and serves as the primary hub for complex and high-acuity mental health presentations across the district. The hospital maintains a dedicated Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC) directly integrated with the Emergency Department, along with acute inpatient psychiatric wards, consultation-liaison psychiatry services, and community mental health team coordination. The facility has strong links to a major Sydney metropolitan teaching hospital, supporting ongoing clinical governance, specialist training, and professional development.
Secondary Hospital — District General Hospital
The secondary site is a well-established district general hospital of approximately 200 beds, delivering acute inpatient care, emergency services, maternity, and a range of medical and surgical specialties to the northern catchment of the district. Mental health services at this site include inpatient psychiatric beds, an integrated crisis assessment function within the Emergency Department, and active community mental health outreach. The site operates under a collaborative model with the primary hospital, ensuring continuity of care and streamlined patient pathways across the district.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the District Director of Mental Health, the Clinical Director will take a senior leadership position that bridges clinical excellence with operational and strategic accountability. Key functions include:
Providing high-quality psychiatric clinical care across both hospital sites in accordance with the Staff Specialist Award- Leading clinical governance for the Department of Mental Health, including Annual Performance Reviews, model of care development, and quality improvement initiatives
- Collaborating with the Director of Mental Health Nursing, General Manager, and senior site leadership to optimise resource allocation and patient flow
- Driving timely ED psychiatric assessments to reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes
- Representing the Department at site and Area Head of Department meetings
- Mentoring and supervising psychiatric trainees, residents, and medical students
- Championing the CCLHD vision and NSW Health CORE Values in all clinical and leadership activities
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Medical registration in Australia (or eligibility for registration)
- Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or equivalent recognised specialist qualification
- Applicants expecting to be awarded FRANZCP within six months are encouraged to apply — commencement will be subject to formal qualification completion
- Demonstrated experience as a Senior Medical Practitioner in Psychiatry
- Proven ability to work constructively within a multidisciplinary team environment with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience in teaching and supervising junior medical staff, including management of the deteriorating patient
- Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement, clinical governance, and patient safety
- EXPEDITED PATHWAY FOR UK-TRAINED PSYCHIATRISTS
UK-trained psychiatrists holding Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych / FRCPsych) are strongly encouraged to apply. Australia’s Medical Board recognises UK specialist qualifications under a streamlined assessment pathway, enabling eligible applicants to obtain specialist registration in Australia without re-sitting core examinations.
Through the Specialist Medical College pathway, MRCPsych/FRCPsych holders may be assessed for FRANZCP equivalence by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Many UK specialists have successfully transitioned to NSW Health positions with minimal additional requirements.
For more information, please reach out to - [email protected]
