Consultant Psychiatrist - HOPE (Fixed Term)

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 Fixed Term position for 12 months at 14 hours per fortnight within the Mental Health Department.

Your role in the Child and Youth Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (CY HOPE) team:

You will be responsible for providing clinical governance to the RCH Child HOPE team through consumer reviews, meetings with parents, external agencies and attendance at the team clinical review meetings. You will also provide supervision for the HOPE registrars.

Internally, this position will be known and/or referred to as: Consultant Psychiatrist RCH Child HOPE (Fixed Term).

Classification for this position will be in line with the Medical Specialists (Victorian Public Health Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2022-2026. 

What you’ll achieve:

• Clinical governance for Child HOPE team staff and oversee the clinical mental health care of a number of patients referred to the team
• Clinically lead a multidisciplinary team that includes junior medical, nursing, allied health, lived experience and administrative support staff - ensuring that RCH policies and procedures are always appropriately adhered to
• Establish and maintain a close working relationship with the Team Coordinator of the RCH Child HOPE team to deliver high quality and evidence informed care to consumers
• Promote and ensure adherence of the Royal Children’s Hospital Values by all Department staff, and facilitate staff working according to the principles of the RCH Compact (see below)
• Further develop initiatives and support the delivery of great care through Quality initiatives in the areas of Excellent Clinical Outcome, Positive Experience, a safe place and Timely Access

Your skills and experience:

Essential:

• Registration as medical practitioner and Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or equivalent qualification
• Completion of accredited postgraduate training in child and adolescent psychiatry
• Extensive experience in working in the mental health sector and sound knowledge of the relevant legislation pertaining to Mental Health
• Excellent clinical skills and a commitment to professional development

Desirable:             

• Accreditation as an RANZCP Supervisor
• Prior experience and/or interest in research with publications in refereed journals in the field of mental health
• An interest in teaching

If this sounds like you, or if you would like more information, please click here to view the position description.

About RCH Mental Health:

RCH Mental Health is a Level 5 tertiary Infant, Child and Family Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and comprises community and hospital-based services.  This includes an Intake and Assessment Team based at Parkville and three multidisciplinary community-based teams located at Travancore, St Albans and Hoppers Crossing.  The Community teams are led by a partnership between a Team Coordinator and a Consultant Psychiatrist, with the Team Coordinator responsible for the operational functioning of the team, and the Consultant Psychiatrist accountable for driving high quality clinical care across the Team. Following the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health services, RCH Mental Health in the community focuses on the tertiary specialist mental health of infants and children 0-11 years. This transformation allowed RCH Mental Health to help more infants and children and their families and implement contemporary models of care that best meet the needs of the families we serve and support them to use their collective strengths for recovery and hope. The RCH Child HOPE team focuses on 5-11 years and on the early intervention and prevention of suicides

What we offer:

• Salary packaging option with our partner, SmartSalary – Increase your take home pay by up to $11,500 per annum (and other additional salary-enhancing options!)
• Workplace culture of continuous improvement, growth, support and training
• Clinical Education Hub on-site to support continued training and professional development
• Hybrid work model, if applicable to role
• Convenient location & close to public transport
• Staff immunisation drives
• Special events
• Discounted Private Health Insurance
• Support for working mothers including two on-site Early Learning Centres, flexible working arrangements, breast feeding and pumping facilities 
• Help when you need it most! Staff counselling, financial coaching, legal support, nutritional support and specialist helpline services, and more through our EAP partner, Converge
• Unlimited access to select fitness facilities in your local area via Fitness Passport
• Enjoy the convenience of an on-site retail precinct, featuring a range of shops, cafés, and food outlets (retail discounts & more)

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!

For more information about this position please contact Dr Chidambaram Prakash, Acting Director Mental Health on (03) 9345 5505 or chidambaram.prakash@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 staff benefits such as 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: 24 July 2026.