Clinical Nurse Consultant - Infection Prevention & Control

• Location: Footscray & Sunshine Hospitals
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Ongoing and Part-Time/Full-Time, Fixed Term
• Salary: CNC B/C + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

An exciting opportunity is available for motivated applicants to join our supportive, collaborative and growing Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) service. These vacancies have arisen due to parental leave and service expansion, offering a valuable opportunity for Western nurses to step into IPAC roles with strong mentorship and development. These positions are ideal for passionate professionals who enjoy influencing clinical practice, driving quality improvement initiatives and supporting healthcare teams.

We encourage applications from IPAC Link/Champion Nurses, Hand Hygiene Auditors and Nurse Immunisers with >5yrs clinical experience. These roles demonstrate foundational capability and readiness to transition into an IPAC Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) position. 

Available positions:

• 1.0 FTE (full-time) permanent CNC C at Footscray Hospital
• 1.0 FTE (full-time) fixed term until October 2027 CNC B at Footscray Hospital
• 0.63 FTE (part-time) fixed term until August 2027 CNC B at Sunshine Hospital

Salary range aligned to Enterprise Agreement and dependent on experience.

Key responsibilities:

Reporting to the IPAC Operations Manager, as part of a supportive and experienced IPAC team, you will provide specialist leadership and expertise in infection surveillance, outbreak management, education, and quality improvement initiatives across Western Health.

Working collaboratively with clinical teams and key stakeholders, you will influence practice, support evidence-based decision-making, respond to emerging risks and strengthen IPAC systems to promote compliance with NSQHC Standard 3 across Western Health’s diverse multi-campus health service. These roles offer an exciting opportunity to join a growing service at a time of significant expansion.

Whether you're seeking an ongoing position or a fixed-term parental leave opportunity, you'll be supported to broaden your infection prevention expertise, build leadership capability, and contribute to system-wide improvements that influence patient outcomes across the organisation.

About you:

You are an experienced clinician with a strong background in acute healthcare and a passion for improving clinical practice.

You will have:

• Postgraduate qualification in Infection Prevention and Control, or working toward (essential). Applicants with demonstrated significant infection prevention and control experience and an equivalent postgraduate qualification may be considered.
• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse.
• More than five years’ clinical experience in acute healthcare, with demonstrated experience in infection prevention and control practice.
• Strong knowledge and application of NSQHS Standard 3.
• Knowledge of infection surveillance, data interpretation and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and deliver education to support clinical practice improvement.
• Strong teamwork and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative and consultative approach. 
• Hand Hygiene Auditor or willingness to work toward (essential).
• Blood Borne Virus Test Counselling qualification or willingness to work toward (essential).
• Nurse immuniser (desirable).

Clinical Nurse Consultant B capability:

Ideal applicants will demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills gained through a minimum of five years' experience in acute healthcare settings.
• Undertake surveillance activities and basic data analysis.
• Support clinical practice improvement through education and collaboration with clinical teams.
• Identify, escalate and assist with infection prevention risks and outbreaks.
• Develop policies and procedures.  

Clinical Nurse Consultant C capability:

Applicants for the CNC C position will also demonstrate:

• Minimum of five years' experience in a dedicated Infection Prevention and Control role within an acute healthcare setting.
• Advanced IPAC leadership and expertise across clinical and operational settings.
• Post graduate qualification Infection Prevention and Control (essential).
• Leadership and mentoring of IPAC staff.
• High-level surveillance oversight, data analysis and organisational reporting.
• Policy development and implementation.
• Management of outbreak investigations and complex risk assessments.

Apply now:

Applicants should submit:

• A current CV.
• A cover letter outlining how you meet the clinical capability requirements of the role and specifying whether you are applying for the Clinical Nurse Consultant (B) or Clinical Nurse Consultant (C) position.

Click here for the CNC B Position Description.

Click here for the CNC C Position Description.

About Western Health 

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 services to 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.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and 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. 

Why join us? 

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're passionate about infection prevention, bring positive energy to your work, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy working with like-minded professionals, 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 23 August 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Louise Aiton (Infection Prevention Operations Manager) via . 

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 is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

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

Western Health