Head of Unit - Ophthalmology

SA Health - Southern Adelaide Local Health Network; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 297,000 - 383,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Head of Unit allowance

Job summary

SA Health - Southern Adelaide Local Health Network is seeking an experienced Clinical Ophthalmologist to join the Ophthalmology Department as Head of Unit, leading clinical practice and service development.

The role combines senior clinical duties (up to 0.8 FTE) with 0.2 FTE dedicated to Head of Unit responsibilities, guiding education, research and service improvement within SALHN.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Ophthalmology service through the transition to a new purpose-built clinical facility in early 2028.
• Provide clinical leadership and governance for team functions and services.
• Create a positive team culture prioritising patient and staff safety and inclusivity.
• Coordinate audit activities, practice evaluation and quality improvement programs.
• Oversee operational leadership for the Flinders Eye Centre and Day Ophthalmology Unit.
• Ensure care under the clinical responsibility of a credentialled Consultant in Ophthalmology.

Job description

• Southern Adelaide Local Health Network - Flinders Medical Centre - Ophthalmology Department
• Total Indicative Remuneration Package: MD02 | $296,708 - $383,234 (Subject to Private Practice Arrangements)
• Term appointment 1 to 5 years - Managerial Allowance (Small Unit)

Head of Unit - Ophthalmology | Shape the Future of Patient Care

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and forward-thinking Clinical Ophthalmologist to join SALHN as Head of Unit, Ophthalmology, within the Division of Surgery & Perioperative Medicine.
The position offers up to 0.8 FTE clinical Ophthalmology, together with 0.2 FTE dedicated to Head of Unit responsibilities and the applicable Head of Unit allowance.

This is an opportunity to combine clinical practice with senior leadership, shaping the future direction of the service and influencing clinical excellence, service innovation, education, and research, while fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture that delivers outstanding outcomes for patients and staff.

The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to help lead the service through and exciting period of growth and transformation, including transition to the new purpose-built Ophthalmology facility anticipated in early 2028.

As an experienced senior clinician, you will:

• Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ophthalmology at SALHN, leading the service through the transition to a new purpose-built clinical facility in early 2028 and helping define the next chapter of patient care, education and service excellence
• Provides clinical leadership and governance for team functions and services.
• Provides visible leadership in creating and sustaining a positive team culture that prioritises patient and staff safety, promotes inclusivity and psychological safety, and applies restorative just culture principles to support learning, accountability, staff wellbeing, and high-quality patient care.
• Supports and reports to the Clinical Director, Surgery & Perioperative Medicine Division, regarding the clinical outcomes of the unit, service strategies and initiatives, and coordinates audit activities, practice evaluation and quality improvement programs.
• Provides operational leadership for the Flinders Eye Centre and Day Ophthalmology Unit and is responsible for the effective management of operational requirements, in collaboration with senior nursing and administrative leadership.
• Ensures that each consumer’s care is under the clinical responsibility of an appropriately credentialled Consultant within Ophthalmology.
• Contributes to the development and implementation quality improvement systems, including the review of key performance indicators, clinical outcomes, and audit activities.
• Shares responsibility with the Clinical Director, Surgery & Perioperative Medicine Division for the review of critical incidents, adverse events, complaints, allegations, and other feedback regarding service quality, and for implementing recommendations arising from these reviews.
• Coordinates the clinical teaching, supervision, and professional development of undergraduate students, trainees, and other junior medical staff

Please see the attached Duty Statement for additional information.

Application Closing Date: 11.55 pm Tuesday 29th September 2026

• The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
• Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and Immunisation compliance as indicated on the Role description.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply. Job ref: 946932