Workforce and Careers

The Physiotherapy Department has a growing workforce with significant opportunities for career progression.  It mainly consists of Physiotherapists at grade levels 1 – 4, as well as several advanced practice positions. We also have multiple Allied Health Assistant positions (Grades 2 and 3), Exercise Physiologists, Exercise Rehabilitation nurses and administrative staff in our department.

The Western Health network covers a broad range of services and therefore the Physiotherapy Department has staff working in a number of streams including; musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurology, women's health, paediatrics and aged care.  These services are located within both inpatient and outpatient settings. 

Grade 1 Rotational Positions

Grade 1 staff work across all three campuses of Western Health, in rotating positions. 

The rotations available are:

Footscray Based Rotations

• Orthopaedic outpatients
• Acute orthopaedic inpatients
• Acute orthopaedic and neurosurgery inpatients
• Acute neurology and stroke
• ICU/HDU
• General medicine (x2 positions)
• Special surgery (thoracic surg, vascular, renal and endocrinology units)
• Annual leave relief/cover (x2 positions)

Sunshine Based Rotations

• Acute aged care/medical (x2 positions)
• Acute orthopaedic inpatients
• GEM / rehab
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Hydrotherapy/musculoskeletal outpatients
• Specialised Rehabilitation Program (SRP) / hydro
• SRP - ortho stream
• SRP - neuro stream
• SRP - chronic disease
• Women's health
• Neurodevelopmental paediatrics
• Sunshine/Williamstown annual leave relief
• Sunshine annual leave relief
• ED Care Co-ordination (As acting Grade 2)

 Williamstown Based Rotations

• GEM
• GEM / SRP

There are approximately 140 physiotherapists across Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Hazeldean.

The Physiotherapy Department encourages and supports staff with succession planning and career progression. With a large and diverse workforce, the department is able to support staff to develop in areas of interest.

The Physiotherapy Department strongly supports and encourages staff to participate in professional development, both internal and external.

The Physiotherapy Department runs a monthly in-service program for all staff covering both clinical and non-clinical topics across the spectrum of physiotherapy. 

All physiotherapy staff participate in monthly supervision sessions which may be in the form of 1:1 formal supervision, peer or group supervision, observation, or co-treatment. 

There is a specialised in-service and supervision program for new graduates.

Western Health also has a centre for education which runs courses throughout the year for individuals