Deputy Manager Physiotherapy

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.

Deputy Manager Physiotherapy (Grade 5)

• Hub of medical precinct in Parkville, Melbourne
• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Permanent, Full Time role

About the Role

This is a new Permanent Full Time position at 1.0 FTE/80 hours per fortnight within the Physiotherapy Department.  Applicants at 0.8 FTE will also be considered.

In conjunction with the Department Manager, you will be responsible for the operational leadership and management of the Physiotherapy Department.  This will include: management of specific, allocated operational responsibilities and/or leadership portfolios; leadership, management and professional practice support of the Physiotherapy service to ensure the provision of high-quality Physiotherapy services; and deputising for the Manager during periods of leave.  As outlined below, the Physiotherapy Department is going through a period of significant change and as the Deputy Manager you will be a key figure in leading and supporting staff and teams through this exciting change.

Classification for this position will be VB28 (FTE base salary $156,749 per annum, plus superannuation).

What you'll achieve:

• Lead and motivate staff to strive for and achieve interprofessional team goals and shared responsibility for the provision of care.
• Promote and develop a dynamic, flexible, resilient and skilled multidisciplinary workforce through effective staff management, professional development opportunities, succession planning and the successful recruitment and retention of staff.
• Contribute to a strategic direction and future vision for the Physiotherapy service at RCH, which is aligned with the strategic direction of Allied Health, associated clinical programs and the organisation.
• Support the management of finances, invoicing, payroll and budget requirements, providing explanation for variables and solutions to ensure effective budget management, expenditure and revenue supporting key performance indicators and efficiency targets.

Your skills and experience

• Registration to practice as a Physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Extensive clinical and leadership experience as a Physiotherapist in the health sector
• Experience in the delivery and/or management of a Physiotherapy service in a hospital environment
• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant clinical or health management field (completed or working towards)

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

About the Department

The Physiotherapy Department is a vibrant community of individuals who share a commitment to ongoing learning and partnering with families in the provision of evidence-based care.  The Department also embodies the RCH Compact pledge that 'we do better work caring for children and families when we also care for each other'.  The Physiotherapy Department and Division of Allied Health are currently undergoing a significant change with the centralisation of Allied Health therapists previously employed in medical or surgical departments by changing their reporting lines to their professional lead.  This change will strengthen the governance and provision of Allied Health services across RCH.

What we offer:

• Salary Packaging - Increase your take home pay!
• Professional development and special events

Other requirements:

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

Application process

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, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks. 

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 1 December 2025