We provide for our employees great salary packaging conditions, excellent leave entitlements, post graduate scholarship programs, ongoing training and full orientation, genuine careers opportunities within a broad range of specialties, and ongoing support through our Critical Incident Stress Management and Employees Assistance Programs. All this, in an environment which encourages teamwork! Click on the topics below to find out more.
Please note: * denotes that financial benefit is available through salary packaging.
Cafes
There are Cafes located at all three hospitals. Each café provide a variety of foods and beverages at reasonable prices.
Campuses
Western Health links the services of three hospitals (Sunshine, The Williamstown & Western Hospitals), DASWest Drug & Alcohol Services & a comprehensive Aged Care & Rehabilitation Service which includes two nursing homes (Reg Geary House in Melton & Hazeldean in Williamstown), to provide the optimum care for patients, their carers & families within the western suburbs of Melbourne.
Western Health provides emergency, medical, surgical, aged care & rehabilitation services. Western Health is also the main provider of drug & alcohol services for the western region, as well providing for the Barwon & Grampian regions in rural Victoria.
Capital Redevelopment
Western Health is planning to create Melbourne's biggest tertiary teaching hospital and medical centre based on the existing Sunshine Hospital site. Our vision is for a new deal for health care in the Western suburbs creating better access for patients to high quality, comprehensive health and medical care that is equal to anywhere else in Melbourne. This exciting opportunity will enable Western Health to meet the current and growing health needs of residents in the rapidly changing population of the west.
Car Parking
Staff car parking is available at Western and Sunshine Hospital for $4.00 per day for casual parking and $3.10 per day if deducted through the payroll system. Car parking is free at The Williamstown Hospital, Reg Geary House and Hazeldean Nursing Home.
Critical Incident Stress Management
The Critical Incident Stress Management program aims to assist staff experiencing work-related traumas by providing confidential one to one and / or group debriefings by a qualified psychologist.
Cultural Diversity
The program aims to support Western Health to improve its responsiveness to the ethnically and linguistically diverse population it serves. The Cultural Diversity Program does this by providing language and cultural services that meet the needs of patients, their families and Western Health staff.
Death and Total Permanent Disablement Protection
All Western Health employees are provided with standard Death and Total Permanent Disablement protection through their superannuation fund. Employees are given the option to increase their cover paid from their supperannuation payments.
Employee Assistance Program
The purpose of Employee Assistance Program at Western Health is to provide care and support to any staff member who requires assistance as a result of stress such that their work performance and / or wellness is being affected.
Equal Employment Opportunities
Western Health is committed to ensuring that staff are respected and valued through both recruitment and employment practices that reflect the diversities and needs of the community and that the uniqueness and differences individuals bring to the organisation are acknowledged. Our commitment to providing an Equal Employment Opportunity (E.E.O.) working environment for all staff means ensuring that all employment activities, practices, programs and procedures are carried out in a fair and equitable manner, preventing and eliminating all forms of discrimination. Should you have any queries or concerns relating to E.E.O, contact your People Services representative.
Equipment and Facilties
Western Health is constantly updating our medical equipment so that we can provide progressive and high quality care. We also have an excellent library service, research, education and training facilities.
Flexible Hours
At Western Health job share arrangements, part time positions, shift work and Accrued Days Off are available to all staff (where applicable).
Income Protection Insurance
All Western Health employees are provided with standard Income Protection Insurance through their superannuation fund. Employees are given the option to increase their cover paid from their supperannuation payments.
Innovation & Excellence AwardsThe Western Health Awards for Excellence in Innovation were established to encourage new and innovative projects at Western Health. The awards are aimed at projects which:
- improves workplace efficiency, teaching, learning, safety or design, patient care or the community
- initiates fruitful study and investigation or has successfully established new and outstanding methods, practices, plan or designs
- demonstrates principles of continuous improvement and addresses one or more of the Western Health Key Result Areas of clinical services, research and education, capital development, workforce development, business performance and relationship development.
Leave Entitlements
Generous Annual Leave, Long Service Leave, Sick Leave, Carer's Leave, Parental Leave, Study Leave, and Professional Development Leave are available to all staff. Please see the appropriate Employment Conditions for further details.
Location
Each of our hospitals and nursing homes are easily accessible and are close to major roads (e.g. Western Ring Road) and public transport. Our hospitals are located in Gordon Street Footscray, Furlong Road Sunshine, and Railway Crescent Williamstown. Hazeldean Nursing Home is located in Osborne Street Williamstown, Reg Geary House is located in Pinnacle Crescent Melton South and DASWest is located in Eleanor Street Footscray.
Management of Aggression Training
Western Health condemns all forms of abuse and violence perpetrated against any person, and aims to create a culture that does not perpetuate tendencies of self-blame for incidents of violence. Western Health aims to minimise and eliminate, wherever practicable, the risks of workplace violence related to occupational assault, and implement strategies and supports to staff. Western Health has been offering a full day training course in Management of Aggression since March 2005.
'No Lift' Workplace
At Western Health "Back Attack" has been implemented. It is a Patient Manual Handling System that aims to significantly reduce the risk of musculo-skeletal injury. Procedures covering both on and off bed tasks replace current lifting methods including shoulder lift, top & tail and cradle lift.
Risk Management
It is the Western Health's policy that all hazards are assessed for potential risk, to remove or minimize the hazard. Procedures & guidelines have been developed to ensure processes are in place & skills for actioning these processes are provided through education. The 'RISKMAN' computerised system is used for promptly capturing information about actual incidents and potential problems and ensures that this information is readily accessible for monitoring and management purposes in the future.
Staff Discounts
Western Health employees have access to a number of special deals and discounts at Highpoint and various other businesses located in the West. Other discounts such as private health insurance, travel insurance, banking benefits, and low cost home loans are also available to employees through our affiliation with SmartSalary, HealthSuper, Hesta Super Fund and SGE Credit Union.
Staff Recognition and Awards
Cares Award:
The CARES Award is a nomination based staff recognition award. Any member of staff can nominate or be nominated. The Gallery tells the stories of CARES Award winners.
Staff Recognition:
The Staff Service Awards are presented annually to those employees who have continuously worked for Western Health for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years. These awards are presented at the Western Health Annual General Meeting.
Shops and Services
Western Health has a variety of shops and services located at the Western and Sunshine Hospital campuses. Also, from time to time, there are traders stalls located in the hospital foyers.
Weight Watchers At Work
Western Health in conjunction with Weight Watchers offers the opportunity for employees to join the "Weight Watchers at Work" program. The program will have the following elements:
- No Joining Fee
- Weekly on site group meetings
- Weekly program material
- Confidential Weigh-in
- $15.95 per week
- $17.95 per week with eTools (includes on-line access to recipes, forums, points tracker, weight loss tracker)
- FBT Exempt pre tax
- Lifetime members free
- Minimum 15 week program
Yoga Classes
GITA Yoga classes are offered at Western Health. GITA Yoga is often called the Yoga of Today, following ancient yoga techniques that help keep us in harmony with today's 'pace-of-life'. Each class follows a sequence of postures to restore your emotional, mental and energy levels working towards achieving your potential. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings at Footscray and Thursday evenings at Sunshine.