Acting Specialist and Therapeutic Program Manager

Latrobe Regional Health is a leading provider of health care services across the Gippsland Region

Are you seeking a rewarding and diverse Manager role in a leading regional hospital? Join the Community Mental Health Services Team at Latrobe Regional Health, where we value our employees by providing a safe and supportive workplace culture that enables you to thrive. 

Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) is looking for an Acting Specialist and Therapeutic Program Manager to join our growing team on a either a fixed term full-time or part-time basis (Job share arrangement offered) until April 2027.

About the Role

You will oversee a wide range of mental health services. You will be responsible for the operational and clinical management of multiple specialist programs, including Eating Disorders, Forensic Clinical Specialists, Integrated AOD programs, Perinatal Emotional Health, and more. As the SATP Manager, you will drive quality service delivery, ensure staff development, and manage budgets and KPIs, all while ensuring a high standard of care for consumers and their families.

Working Together | We will respond to challenges together to create a safe, quality health service

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and motivate multidisciplinary teams within the Specialist and Therapeutic Programs.
• Oversee clinical services for specialist programs including Eating Disorders, Forensic Clinical Specialists, Mental Health Advice and Response, Mental Health Promotions, Perinatal Emotional Health, Families of Parents with a Mental Illness, Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement and Wellbeing Support.
• Model and support the delivery of evidence-based, recovery-oriented care to consumers and ensure quality therapeutic outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate budget management, financial reporting, and variance analysis for all relevant programs.
• Monitor and evaluate program data and ensure accurate reporting of KPIs and compliance with health service agreements.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of LRH’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategic Plan.
• Build and maintain relationships with consumers, carers, community agencies, and other health providers to foster service development and integrated care.
• Support the professional development of all direct care staff, ensure access to clinical supervision, and foster a culture of continuous learning.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and monitor progress towards program goals.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles within mental health services, with a focus on managing specialist therapeutic programs.
• Strong clinical knowledge and experience in mental health care, ideally with a focus on consumer and carer peer workforce involvement.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across a broad multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to high standards of care, consumer-centric service models, and evidence-based practice.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to innovate and develop practical solutions in complex service environments.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Qualifications:
  • Nursing: Division 1 Registered Nurse with post-basic qualification in mental health nursing, holding current AHPRA registration. or
  • Social Work: Approved degree in social work or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. or
  • Psychology: Approved degree with a major in psychology and AHPRA registration.

or

• • Occupational Therapy: Degree or diploma from a recognised school of occupational therapy with AHPRA registration.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in mental health care and leadership.
• Strong working knowledge of the Victorian Mental Health Act, National Standards for Mental Health Services, and related legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams and manage complex service programs.
• Highly developed written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to liaise, consult, and negotiate effectively.
• A current Victorian Driver’s License.

Desirable:

• Relevant tertiary or post-basic qualifications.
• Experience in managing a diverse, multidisciplinary workforce, including consumer and carer peer workers.
• Competency in using clinical technology and managing clinical data.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning and policy development.

Latrobe Regional Health offers a range of benefits including:

• Salary packaging up to $9,000 per annum.
• Meals/Entertainment benefit up to $2,650 per annum.
• Encouragement for professional development and ongoing education.
• A range of social club activities, discounts and diverse workplace activities.
• Free access to our Staff Wellbeing Centre offering health education and wellbeing
• Access to discounted gym membership and fitness services through Fitness Passport Services.

Interested about this exciting opportunity, but want more information? We encourage you to contact Darrin Henry, General Manager Community Mental Health - Easter via email: darrin.henry@lrh.com.au for a confidential discussion.

Please click here for a copy of the Position Description

About us

Located in the picturesque region of Gippsland, Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) offers the perfect balance between career and lifestyle. Enjoy easy access to Melbourne, stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and serene lakes. With flexible working hours, you can make the most of what Gippsland has to offer.

LRH cares for a population of about 300,000 and is the regional provider of specialist services. Our catchment covers 42,000 square kilometres, from Phillip Island to Mallacoota in the far east of Victoria. LRH offers cardiac care, surgery, medical, renal, emergency care, aged care, women's and children's services, pharmacy, allied health and rehabilitation. Medical and radiation oncology are offered by the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre.

Now is an exciting time to join the LRH team, with the $223.5 million expansion completed in March 2024, offering improved maternity and paediatric facilities, larger intensive care unit, increased medical and surgical beds and additional operating theatres.

Diversity and inclusion

We embrace workforce diversity and actively encourage applications from across our community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with linguistically diverse backgrounds, people of all genders and gender identities and people with disabilities. LRH's Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer is available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent applicants and can be contacted via email: AboriginalHealthUnit@lrh.com.au 

How to apply

Join us in our mission to provide exceptional healthcare services to our community. Apply today and make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Please click the APPLY button to be directed to our Careers page for direct application. Applications should include a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and current resume.

Applications close: 14 November 2025

Explore all the great things happening at LRH by visiting our Careers and Training page of our website www.lrh.com.au/Careers-and-Training/ and take the next step in your career journey.

Before commencement, the successful applicant will

Provide evidence of an original and valid National Police Record Check, an employee Working with Children Check, and a current season influenza vaccine (if applicable to work area), unless a valid medical exemption applies.