Practice Specialist (P10127)

Lifeline Direct; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeline Direct invites applications for a Practice Specialist to join the Quality and Practice Improvement (QPI) Team on a full-time, fixed-term basis. The role supports clinical governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement across Lifeline Direct's Service Delivery operations, with a particular emphasis on communications and collaboration.

We seek a professional with a tertiary qualification in nursing, social work, counselling or psychology, excellent written and verbal

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in nursing, social work, counselling, psychology or a related health or mental health discipline.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration and project coordination skills.
• Experience developing or implementing policies, procedures, practice guidance or improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Experience conducting clinical audits or coordinating quality improvement activities.

Responsibilities

• Quality Improvement: Coordinate and support Quality Improvement Activities (QIAs), working with stakeholders to implement and evaluate improvements.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct clinical and practice audits, analyse findings and identify opportunities to strengthen service quality and safety.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Develop, review and maintain policies, procedures and practice guidance to support consistent, evidence-based practice.
• Clinical Governance: Support governance frameworks, risk and incident management processes, and alignment with NSQDMHS.
• Communications and Collaboration: Develop clear and engaging communications, coordinate stakeholder consultation and support the effective implementation of quality and practice initiatives.
• Reporting and Monitoring: Contribute to quality and governance reporting, translating findings into meaningful insights and recommendations.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Tertiary health/mental health qualification (nursing, social work, counselling or psychology)

Job description

Lifeline Direct (LLD) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lifeline Australia. LLD focuses on supporting the development and ongoing implementation of suicide prevention and community wellbeing programs in the regions which we operate while looking for opportunities to grow Lifeline’s services in geographical areas where they do not currently exist.

LLD encompasses Lifeline Centres in Hunter region, Central Coast, Eastern Suburbs-Bondi, New England North West, Northern NSW, Geelong and South West Victoria, Northern and Western Melbourne. Our specialised and targeted servicesoperate nationally via a telehealth model.

About the opportunity

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative Practice Specialist to join our Quality and Practice Improvement (QPI) Team on a full-time, fixed-term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong clinical background, a passion for quality and safety, and excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

As part of the QPI Team, you will contribute to clinical governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities across Lifeline Direct's Service Delivery operations, with a particular focus on communications and collaboration.

You will work closely with teams and leaders to strengthen safe, consistent and evidence-based practice, while supporting the effective communication and implementation of quality improvements.

About the role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Quality Improvement: Coordinate and support Quality Improvement Activities (QIAs), working with stakeholders to implement and evaluate improvements.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct clinical and practice audits, analyse findings and identify opportunities to strengthen service quality and safety.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Develop, review and maintain policies, procedures and practice guidance to support consistent, evidence-based practice.
• Clinical Governance: Support governance frameworks, risk and incident management processes, and alignment with the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards (NSQDMHS).
• Communications and Collaboration: Develop clear and engaging communications, coordinate stakeholder consultation and support the effective implementation of quality and practice initiatives.
• Reporting and Monitoring: Contribute to quality and governance reporting, translating findings into meaningful insights and recommendations.

Your portfolio focus: Communications and Collaboration

Alongside your broader Practice Specialist responsibilities, you will help strengthen communication, engagement and collaboration across Service Delivery.

This includes developing accessible communications, supporting consultation and information sharing, translating complex governance information into practical guidance, and promoting shared learning and continuous improvement.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A tertiary qualification in nursing, social work, counselling, psychology or a related health or mental health discipline.
• A sound understanding of clinical governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration and project coordination skills.
• Experience developing or implementing policies, procedures, practice guidance or improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Experience conducting clinical audits or coordinating quality improvement activities.

Highly desirable:

• Experience in mental health, crisis support or digital mental health services.
• Tertiary qualifications or additional studies in communications, journalism, public relations or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of the NSQDMH standards.
• Experience in stakeholder consultation, organisational communications or change management.

You will join a supportive and collaborative team committed to strengthening quality, safety and practice across Lifeline Direct Service Delivery.

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful organisational improvement, build connections across Lifeline Direct and help embed quality and clinical governance initiatives into everyday practice.

If you are passionate about quality, enjoy bringing people together and have the communication skills to turn ideas into meaningful improvements, we would love to hear from you.