Consultant - General Medicine (Rheumatology)

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards. 

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

Consultant, Rheumatology

Specialist Year 1 – Specialist Year 9 

About the Role

This is a Fixed Term Part Time position to cover Sabbatical Leave for 6 months, at 0.54 EFT / 37.8 hours per fortnight within the Department of Rheumatology, General Medicine from 13 October 2025 to 12 April 2026.

You will be responsible for….

• 13 weeks ward service each year 
• 2 weekly clinics (Rheumatology and Joint Injections)
• Fortnightly clinic (Uveitis)

Clinical Service

• Participate in the ward service, on call/recall roster and outpatient clinics for the Rheumatology Unit
• Timely and accurate completion of patient related documentation, including EMR encounters, outpatient documentation and any other required documentation relevant to enhancing continuity of care

• Utilise information systems to enable informed decision making and care planning’
• Actively participate in risk management and quality programs to improve organisational processes and own practices

Education:

• Participation in unit based educational sessions
• Clinical and educational supervision of Rheumatology Fellow and Registrar as required
• Undertake continuing education opportunities to foster safe clinical practice , quality initiatives and research

Performance Review:

Participate in self-reflective practice

Classification for this position will range from HN19-HN59.

Your skills and experience:

Essential:

• MBBS or equivalent
• FRACP or equivalent
• SAC or Paediatric Rheumatology qualifications
• Specialist medical registration with AHPRA and eligibility for medical registration within Victoria
• Experience in a major public teaching hospital, and/or demonstrated experience in paediatric rheumatology at a consultant level

Other Requirements:

• Employees are required to undertake a National Criminal Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment
• Employees are required to maintain a valid Working with Children’s Check throughout their employment
• Employees are required to maintain compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure.

If this sounds like you, click here  to view the position description.

About Rheumatology

The purpose of this role is to provide specialist consultation in paediatric rheumatology.  The role forms part of the Rheumatology team, delivering both inpatient ward service and several outpatient clinics seeing children with immune mediated inflammatory disease requiring immunosuppression and associated appropriate disease and safety monitoring.

What we offer:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Wellbeing Hub
• Staff immunisation

Other requirements:

• Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure

Application process – for SMS only*

To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.

You must attach certified credentials and a completed “SMS Application for Appointment Form”

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!

For more information about this position please contact Jonathan Akikusa, Head of Unit, Rheumatology Ph: 03 9345 4938 Email: Jonathan.Akikusa@rch.org.au

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 19 August 2025