Chief Nursing Officer

Lead nursing excellence at RFDS QLD as Chief Nursing Officer, guiding our aeromedical & primary health teams with strategic & professional leadership.

Classifications

• Healthcare & Medicine
• Nurse / Midwife
• Permanent / Full Time

Key points

• Permanent, full time role
• Support a purpose-driven business with an iconic history
• Showcase your expertise in nursing leadership and strategy

Description

For nearly 100 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has delivered life‑saving aeromedical and primary healthcare services to rural, remote and regional communities. Every day, our dedicated team works to provide the finest care to the furthest corner.

Our nurses are trusted professionals and essential members of our service. They deliver high quality healthcare to people living, working and travelling across regional, rural and remote Queensland. Whether providing aeromedical retrieval services or delivering vital primary and preventative healthcare, our Flight Nurses and Primary Health Care Nurses are unwavering in their commitment to the communities that rely on us.

RFDS is seeking a Chief Nursing Officer to lead and support our Aeromedical and Primary Health Care nursing workforce.

As the professional lead for all RFDS (Queensland Section) nursing employees within the Clinical Service Delivery portfolio, the Chief Nursing Officer will provide strategic leadership, expert guidance and strong professional oversight. You will act as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Clinical Advisor (CA), and Chief Operating Officer – Clinical Service Delivery (COO-CSD) on matters relating to nursing practice, compliance and professional standards. You will also represent nursing at the Health Services Board Committee, ensuring nursing perspectives, clinical expertise and professional considerations are clearly articulated and embedded in organisational decision making.
  
The Chief Nursing Officer will deliver key accountabilties in-
Leadership

• Professional leadership for Nursing across the organisation.
• In collaboration with the operational leads, empower and motivate nursing staff to maximise their contribution towards the delivery of quality service.
• Lead and foster a high performing and innovative culture and create an environment where innovation and new ideas that improve clinical service delivery can be explored and implemented.

Nursing Advisory

• Reporting to the Clinical Advisor, the Chief Nursing Officer is a key role in the multi-professional Clinical Standards team, alongside the Chief Medical Officer
• Advising the CEO, CA and COO‑CSD on nursing practice and workforce matters.
• Advising the Credentialing Committee on credentialing requirements, scope of practice and supervision of nursing staff.
• Providing nursing input to the Medicines Advisory Committee and the Quality Assurance Committee.
• Representing and advising the organisation on matters relating to employment arrangements for the nursing workforce.
• Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership and quality improvement committees.

Operational Service

• Supporting workforce strategy development and innovation within the nursing workforce.
• Collaborate with nursing staff to develop and implement standardised care pathways.
• Lead and facilitate quality improvement for nursing practices.
• Develop and implement improvement plans to enhance quality, safety and efficiency.
• Serve as the clinical escalation point for matters requiring nursing judgement and oversight.
• Participate in operational shifts as required to maintain credentialing and currency of practice.

  
What you will bring to RFDS (Queensland Section)

We’re looking for someone who brings a mix of collaboration, communication and strategic thinking to the team. You’ll enjoy working with teams across the RFDS and feel comfortable partnering with professionals beyond the nursing team. You communicate with confidence, understand the bigger picture, and bring a clear nursing voice into strategic conversations.
You will be motivated to further enrich and contine to build our culture, and play a key role in shaping our team’s continued success and driving our mission forward. In addition you will demonstrate:

• AHPRA Registration as a Registered Nurse.
• AHPRA Registration as a Registered Midwife (Desirable).
• Extensive experience in providing services in regional, rural or remote settings.
• Experience in Aeromedical nursing (Desirable)
• Broad experience of nursing practice across multiple specialities at a senior level.
• Knowledge and expertise in professional nursing standards, philosophy, and values.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to quality continuous improvement methods and concepts, including risk management.
• Expertise in working with diverse populations, particularly understanding the cultural needs of Indigenous and remote communities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change.

  
Why work for us?

At the RFDS (Queensland Section), you’ll be driven by purpose not tasks it's about being part of an organisation where, whatever your role, you make a difference each day to people’s lives.
We value our people, and we are passionate about making a difference for people who live, work and travel in remote, rural, and regional Australia. By joining the RFDS (Queensland Section), you will have access to the following:

• A highly competitive salary + super.
• $18,550 in tax-free benefits – increasing your take home pay!
• Working with people who are passionate about our purpose and proud of their contribution.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program including counselling, nutrition sessions, financial sessions, and legal advice.
• Private health insurance discounts.
• Access to our Fitness Passport (for staff and family members)!
• RemServ Rewards, where members receive cashback benefits on purchases from hundreds of leading Australian retailers, including groceries, fashion, technology and travel.

  
Interested? 
  
Role will close on the 15th of May. Please note that applications may be progressed  before this date.
For further information regarding this role please contact RFDS Talent Acquisition Lead- Yasmine Haimes on 0407 626 498 or at yhaimes@rfdsqld.com.au
  
There is a mandatory requirement for this position to obtain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), hold an unrestricted driver’s licence, undergo Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP) and audiometric testing, and maintain clinical immunisations in accordance with our Workplace Immunisation Program (WIP). In addition, candidates must successfully complete both the RFDS and Queensland Health credentialing processes.

The RFDS acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land. The RFDS is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of healthcare. We embrace diversity and welcome all people irrespective of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
  
The RFDS is committed to the protection of human and legal rights, including the rights of children, young people and adults to be safe, heard and cared for. In upholding the Universal Principle, RFDS is committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected.