Patient Safety & Quality Specialist

St John WA has been serving the Western Australian community since 1922. Our organisation has grown into an integrated healthcare provider, connecting people across WA to lifesaving emergency services, urgent care and health education. 

We are a not-for-profit organisation committed to making a positive impact on the safety, wellbeing and health of everyone, regardless of where they live in WA. Our services are delivered by more than 8,000 dedicated employees and volunteers who bring care, skill and compassion to every corner of the state. 

About the role 
We are seeking a Patient Safety and Quality Specialist to join the Patient Safety and Quality department on a permanent full-time basis Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week. 
This role will suit a registered health professional with experience in clinical governance, patient safety, quality improvement, risk management or healthcare regulation. Applications are welcomed from registered nurses, paramedics and other relevant health professionals who can demonstrate strong clinical governance and quality experience. 
The Patient Safety and Quality Specialist supports the safety and quality of healthcare services across St John WA by developing, implementing and managing initiatives aligned with regulatory requirements, professional standards and best practice. 
Working collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders, the role identifies opportunities for improvement, supports evidence-based practice and contributes to a positive and learning-focused safety culture. The position requires sound clinical or health service knowledge, an understanding of governance and regulatory requirements, and the ability to influence improvement across a complex healthcare organisation. 

What you’ll do 

• Implement and support the St John WA clinical governance framework.  

• Develop and promote strategies that strengthen patient safety, quality and a just culture across the organisation.  

• Oversee clinical incident reporting systems, ensuring timely review, analysis, escalation and follow-up.  

• Support evidence-based investigations into clinical incidents and identify opportunities to reduce harm and prevent recurrence.  

• Monitor and analyse patient safety and quality data, identifying trends and prepare actionable insights 

• Provide education and advice to employees and leaders on patient safety, clinical governance, incident management and reporting systems.  

• Support compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, professional requirements and standards, including the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.  

• Lead or contribute to audits, quality reviews, clinical reviews and patient safety improvement initiatives.  

• Partner with the Quality Improvement team and work with clinical and operational leaders to identify risks and implement practical improvement plans.  

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  

• Participate in multidisciplinary committees, working groups and organisational projects focused on patient safety, quality improvement and risk management.  

• Promote learning from incidents, audits, complaints, feedback and other sources of safety and quality information.  

What you’ll need 

Essential 

• Current unrestricted AHPRA registration as a registered nurse, paramedic or other relevant registered health professional.  

• At least three years’ post-registration experience in a clinical, patient safety, quality, risk, clinical governance or related healthcare role.  

• Demonstrated understanding of clinical governance, patient safety and continuous quality improvement.  

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify trends and prepare reports with practical recommendations.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clinical and operational stakeholders.  

• Demonstrated leadership, influencing and problem-solving skills.  

• Current C Class driver’s licence.  

Desirable 

• Postgraduate qualification in clinical governance, health service management, patient safety, quality improvement, risk management or a related field.  

• Knowledge of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and their application in ambulance or other healthcare settings.  

• Experience leading clinical incident reviews, audits, investigations or quality improvement initiatives.  

• Experience working in a complex clinical environment, such as ambulance, emergency, acute, hospital, community or aged care services.  

• Experience supporting organisational change and developing a positive, learning-focused safety culture.  

• Understanding of risk management, open disclosure, clinical review and systems-based improvement methodologies.  

Ready to apply? 

To be considered for this opportunity, please click Apply Now and submit: 

1. An up-to-date CV outlining your key experience and employment history.  

1. A cover letter addressing your relevant experience, skills and the selection criteria below. Submissions should be limited to two pages in Word format.  

Please address the following questions: 

• What is your understanding of Communicating for Safety under the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, and how is it relevant to your clinical, governance or healthcare role?  

• What system-level improvements would you consider to strengthen Communicating for Safety across St John WA?  

Applicants from nursing, paramedicine and other relevant health professions are encouraged to apply. Your response may draw on experience from ambulance, hospital, community, aged care, mental health or other healthcare settings. 

Applicants will receive an automated receipt upon submission. If you do not receive this email, please contact the Talent Sourcing team before the closing date and time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications that do not include both a cover letter and resume may not be considered. 

For further information, please contact Talent Sourcing at careers@stjohnwa.com.au. 

Applications close on 01 October 2026 at 6.00 pm. 

St John WA is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming and diverse workplace where everyone feels safe to be themselves. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, nationalities, abilities and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and members of the LGBTIQ+ community. 

St John WA is a child-safe organisation and takes a proactive approach to child safety. We ensure all children engaged in St John WA services are protected, respected and empowered. Our commitment is supported by clear policies and procedures that reinforce our safeguarding practices. 

St John WA reserves the right to shortlist applicants from the applications received. The selection process will be determined at the discretion of St John WA.