Operations Manager - Occupational Violence & Aggression (OVA)

About the role

The Operations Manager - Prevention of Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) provides operational and professional leadership for Western Health's organisation-wide approach to preventing and managing occupational violence and aggression.

The position leads the specialist OVA Prevention team and is accountable for translating Western Health's OVA framework and annual action plan into coordinated, evidence-based programs, education, clinical consultancy, projects and improvement activity across all Western Health services.

The role provides leadership across the prevention continuum - identifying and controlling OVA risks, strengthening capability, supporting effective behaviour management, embedding consistent systems and practice, and using incident, training, audit and evaluation data to drive continuous improvement.

Key

responsibilities

• Lead, manage and coordinate the OVA Prevention team, establishing clear priorities, work plans, role accountabilities and service standards aligned with organisational risk and strategic priorities.
• Lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Western Health's OVA prevention framework and annual OVA Action Plan.
• Monitor best practice and emerging themes across health and other sectors to influence and inform Western Health’s OVA program, to ensure it is contemporary and to optimise effectiveness.
• Provide expert advice to executives, senior leaders, managers and committees on OVA risk, prevention priorities, controls and emerging issues.
• Provide operational oversight of the specialist clinical consultancy function for patients and situations presenting complex OVA or behaviours-of-concern risks.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of Western Health's OVA education and training program, including Reframe Your Response virtual reality training, orientation, targeted in-services and area-specific education.
• Use incident trends, audit findings, consultation activity and training data to identify emerging capability gaps and prioritise education responses.
• Lead the OVA prevention project portfolio and oversee implementation and evaluation of initiatives across acute, subacute, emergency, mental health and other relevant settings.

About you:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in psychology, nursing, allied health, occupational health and safety, health services management or a related discipline. Where the appointee is employed in a registered clinical capacity, current AHPRA registration is required.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in occupational violence and aggression prevention, workplace safety, clinical risk, behavioural management or a closely related health service field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a specialist multidisciplinary team, including work planning, supervision, performance development and prioritisation.
• Advanced knowledge of OVA risk factors, prevention and control strategies, behaviours of concern and the interaction between employee safety and patient care.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and evaluate organisation-wide programs, frameworks, projects or improvement initiatives in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of Victorian occupational health and safety obligations and contemporary standards, guidance and regulatory expectations relevant to OVA prevention.
• Demonstrated capability in analysing incident and performance data, identifying systemic risk and translating findings into practical improvement strategies.

Click here for the Position Description.

About Western Health

Western Health is the leading healthcare provider in Melbourne’s West - one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most culturally and socioeconomically diverse regions.

More than 13,000 employees help deliver a comprehensive range of services across our hospitals, community, correctional, and home-based settings. These services include acute tertiary care, emergency and intensive care, medical and surgical specialties, mental health and wellbeing, subacute care, ambulatory care, primary care, home-based services, and residential aged care.

We are committed to driving innovation and sustainability that improves health outcomes for our community. With specialties spanning oncology, renal care, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic disease management, geriatrics, and cardiology, Western Health is recognised for its expertise in managing complex and chronic conditions through integrated, patient-centred care.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where you can make a meaningful impact. We support our staff to keep learning and growing through a diverse range of education programs, partnerships with universities in medical research and professional development opportunities.

Why join us?

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salaries, flexible work options, and wellbeing programs.
• Scholarships and grants to support ongoing learning.

Learning and Development

• Access personalised pathways through the Western Health Learning Academy.
• Opportunities for postgraduate study, clinical education, and mentorship.

Community Impact and Inclusion

• Make a difference through compassionate care in a diverse, inclusive workforce.
• Contribute to community wellbeing initiatives and healthcare research.

Organisational Culture and Environment

• Work in a collaborative, innovative team focused on continuous improvement and excellence.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re passionate about leading the prevention continuum to drive continuous improvement, 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 18 October 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Emma Blee via [email protected].

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with lived experience that strengthens their ability to do this work

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