Specialist Anaesthetist

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.

About the Role:

This is a Full Time ongoing position (1 FTE). We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Specialist Anaesthetists to join the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management. This position is expected to integrate with and contribute to the Department and Hospital’s ongoing clinical, academic, quality and administrative goals.

The Department currently has 0.4 FTE of pain specialists who oversee more than 2000 acute and 300 new chronic pain patients annually. They are supported by a full time accredited pain fellow, 2.4 FTE of specialist nurses, a multidisipliary chronic pain clinic.

This position will be contracted according to the RCH Anaesthetists’ Agreement.

You will be responsible for:

• Clinical duties could cover the full range of paediatric anaesthesia, although this position will not have participation in the cardiac anaesthesia service as a mandatory requirement
• Clinical duties may also include acute pain management (including ward rounds), pre-anaesthesia assessment clinic, sedation and vascular access procedures and off site anaesthesia for RCH patients anaesthetised elsewhere, such as occurs at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals
• Participating in Departmental activities education, administration, quality and safety. Expectations of degree of participation in these activities would be informed by the fraction and duration of the appointment
• You may participate in the out of hours roster, potentially after an orientation period as appropriate to previous experience

Your skills and experience:

• Applicants should hold a Fellowship of ANZCA or equivalent with a medical degree registerable in Australia and be recognized as a Specialist in Australia
• Registration must be confirmed before the commencement date
• Substantial experience in clinical paediatric anaesthesia with previous Fellowship or Consultant experience in paediatric anaesthesia
• Proven ability to contribute not only to clinical services but also as an ANZCA supervisor of training is expected
• Membership of the Faculty of Pain Medicine is not a requirement for the position, however specialist anaesthetists with an interest and appropriate qualifications are encouraged to apply

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

About the Anaesthesia & Pain Management Department:

The Department provides anaesthesia services for approximately 20,000 patients per year as well as acute and chronic pain management and a preadmission assessment service. Anaesthesia is provided for patients having the full range of paediatric surgical and diagnostic modalities.

The Department is currently staffed by 36 FTE of senior anaesthetists. The Department supports an active research, education and teaching program and is affiliated with the University of Melbourne and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The Department is an accredited training institution for year 3, 4 and 5 trainees for Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

What we offer:

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take home pay!
• Parkville location and close to public transport
• Discounted on-site car parking

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:

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!

Please contact Cathi Taylor on (03) 9345 5233 or email cathi.taylor@rch.org.au for further information.

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 March, 2026.