HREC member- community and pastoral care

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 Pediatrics 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 paediatric 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.

Volunteer Position: Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Member

The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) HREC provides independent ethical review for research at RCH, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), and University of Melbourne's Department of Paediatrics. Our goal is to ensure research is ethically sound, protects the rights and welfare of participants, and promotes scientific and community benefit.

To bring diverse and meaningful perspectives, we are inviting applications for:

Community Members
Must have no current academic, scientific or paid medical roles
Young people, with experience receiving health care for acute/chronic conditions are encouraged to apply.

Pastoral Care Members
Active in pastoral/support roles, such as:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elder or community leader
Minister of religion, chaplain, or other spiritual/moral counsellor
School or early education counsellor or mentor for young people

Role and Responsibilities
•    Prepare for and contribute to monthly meetings (~4 hours, held Monday evenings)
•    Review materials in advance (~4-8 hours per month)
•    Participate in 2-3 in person meetings per year at RCH, Parkville; all other meetings are via Zoom or Teams
•    Participate in ongoing training and induction
•    Disclose any conflicts of interests

Appointments are typically 3 years 

What We Offer

No remuneration, but you will gain valuable insight into research ethics, governance, and policy
and contribute meaningfully to research that impacts child and adolescent health.

How to Apply
Please submit:
•    A cover letter outlining your interest and suitability
•    A résumé, with a summary of relevant experience and community engagement
•    Contact details for two referees

Send your application to:
Sophie Gatenby, Research Ethics Manager
Email: sophie.gatenby@rch.org.au 
Phone: (03) 9345 4494

Deadline
Applications will be accepted until COB 20th August 2025 or until positions are filled.

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.

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 fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and 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 in 11 August 2025