Lead Pharmacist

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 5918

- Location: Multiple Western Health sites

- Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing

- Salary: Grade 4 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role

Western Health is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Pharmacist – Mental Health and Wellbeing Services to oversee, optimise and advance pharmacy services across our Mental Health and Wellbeing programs.

This leadership role will shape the future of medication management across inpatient, ambulatory and home-based care — including our new Western Mental Health at Home program. This role will provide strategic direction, drive clinical excellence, and lead a dedicated team to deliver safe, person-centred, and recovery-focused care. This position is permanent, full-time (80 hours per fortnight) and available now

Key responsibilities

- Provide strategic and operational leadership for Mental Health and Wellbeing pharmacy services across Western Health.

- Implement, oversee, and deliver pharmacy services for the Western Mental Health at Home program.

- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance clinical outcomes and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.

- Deliver and continuously improve high-quality, consumer-focused medication management across inpatient, community and home-based care settings.

- Lead quality improvement, governance, and change management processes, contributing to divisional and organisational standards of excellence.

- Manage, support, and mentor Senior Pharmacists and Clinical Rotational Pharmacists, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team.

- Promote education, training, and research opportunities, supporting continuous professional development and practice advancement.

You are a collaborative leader with strong clinical expertise who thrives in dynamic, multidisciplinary environments. You bring a passion for innovation, quality improvement, and person-centred care. You will have:

- Bachelor of Pharmacy (or equivalent) and current registration with AHPRA.

- Minimum 8 years of hospital clinical pharmacy experience, with expertise in mental health pharmacy services.

- Proven leadership and line management experience in a hospital pharmacy setting.

- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.

- Demonstrated ability to lead service development, research, and quality improvement initiatives.

- A current driver’s licence and flexibility to work across Western Health sites.

Desirable qualifications and experience include

- A recognised postgraduate Master’s degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent).

- Experience delivering at-home or transitions of care pharmacy services.

- Active involvement in professional associations.

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach servicesto aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges. We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospitaland Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.

Compensation and benefits

- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.

- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.

- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.

- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.

- Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.

- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.

- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.

- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact?

If you are looking for an opportunity to take on a leadership role in advancing mental health pharmacy practice, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 13 November 2025.

Enquiries:For further information about this role, please contact:
Name: Charis Lau
Title: Deputy Director of Pharmacy – Clinical Services
Phone: 0466 533 581
Email: Charis.Lau@wh.org.au

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Applications close Thursday 13 November 2025 at 11.59pm

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