Program Manager, Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)

• Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network 

• Rural Support Service (RSS)
  
  
• Location: Various/Negotiable (Flexible work arrangements available)

• Salary: ASO7 $116,089 - $125,490 per annum 

• Permanent/Ongoing, Full Time

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING? 

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to manage and enhance the State Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), a vital program supporting equitable access to healthcare for rural South Australians. This rewarding role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, drive service improvement and reform initiatives, influence state-wide policy, and work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to improve healthcare access and patient outcomes across country South Australia.

The Rural Support Service (RSS) offers flexible work arrangements, opportunities to work remotely while remaining connected to your local community, and a supportive environment that values professional growth, innovation, and work-life balance. You'll also have access to salary packaging, professional development opportunities, generous leave provisions, and employee wellbeing programs.

WHO ARE WE? 

The RSS is a directorate of the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, that delivers a range of enabling services, such as workforce planning and recruitment, digital health, finance, infrastructure, procurement, and clinical governance support. Our purpose is to strengthen and sustain healthcare delivery in rural and regional areas by providing consistent, efficient, and specialist support functions to the six regional local health networks (LHNs) across South Australia.  We work across 37 regional, rural and remote SA locations, or in the RSS's three Adelaide offices. 

WHERE AND HOW YOU WILL WORK 

Many RSS staff enjoy working from home or remotely, or may choose to work from our central Adelaide offices, allowing our employees to benefit from the work-life balance this provides. They enjoy the freedom to further their career while remaining part of their local community and contributing to health care right across regional South Australia. 

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? 

• Are you an experienced leader with the ability to manage complex programs, lead geographically dispersed teams, and deliver high-quality services in a dynamic healthcare environment?
  
  
• Can you develop and implement strategic policy, service improvements, and reform initiatives that improve access to healthcare for rural and regional communities?
  
  
• Do you have strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and influence outcomes across government, health services, clinicians, and community partners?
  
  
• Are you skilled in analysing data, managing budgets, and providing expert advice to support informed decision-making, policy development, and service planning?
  
  
• Do you have a passion for improving equity of access to healthcare and delivering responsive, client-focused services that meet the needs of rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities across South Australia? 

If you have answered yes to any of these questions – then read on…. 

HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE? 

You will... 

• Lead the strategic and operational management of the State Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), ensuring efficient, equitable, and client-focused service delivery across South Australia.
  
  
• Provide expert advice on PATS policy, funding, and program performance, supporting informed decision-making and continuous service improvement.
  
  
• Drive the review, reform, and implementation of policies, procedures, and service models to align with best practice, government priorities, and the needs of rural communities.
  
  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with health services, government agencies, clinicians, and community stakeholders to improve access to healthcare and patient transport outcomes.
  
  
• Use data, analysis, and reporting to identify trends, inform service planning, and support initiatives that reduce the need for rural patients to travel for healthcare.

WHAT WILL WE OFFER YOU IN RETURN? 

At BHFLHN, not only will you be working in an environment surrounded by beautiful scenery and nature we see your work here as not just as a job, but an opportunity to extend, progress or consolidate your career with us.  We therefore offer you opportunities to be supported in the following ways: 

• Relocation financial support may be negotiated, subject to eligibility. Click here for details and contact the enquires person for further information. 

• Salary package a range of benefits (including living expenses such as mortgage, rent, utility bills and groceries) up to $9,010 each FBT year + $2,650 for Meal Entertainment expenses each FBT year Click here more information 

• Access to generous leave provisions and professional development opportunities 

• Support for you and your family via our free Employee Assistance Program 

• Health and Fitness Benefits: Access to Fitness Passport, a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to BHFLHN staff and their families. 

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW/WHAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS? 

Working in this environment, it is important to us that we only employ people with the upmost integrity and commitment to serving the South Australian community and its visitors to the highest possible standards.  To ensure that we meet that commitment there are a few checks that you will be required to undertake.  These are detailed on the Role Description, but are likely to include the following: 

• You will need to be immunised. Please contact the Enquiries Person for this position if you have any queries.  Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy. Further information is in the application for to help guide you.  

• You will need to undergo employment screening, what you require is also on the front page of the Role Description. 

• You will be required to hold registration with AHPRA to practice as a Registered Nurse within our organisation. 
  
  

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 

We employ people as diverse as the clients we support and the environments we work in.  At BHFLHN we pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion for all employees and therefore we encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, culturally diverse backgrounds, disability, all genders, and LGBTQI+ community.  

NEED TO RELOCATE? 

Relocation financial support may be negotiated, subject to eligibility.  See what is available here: Relocation support | SA Health.   Find out more about working in the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, and see what it looks like to work and live in regional Australia at: https://movetomore.com.au/ 

HELP IS HERE! 

Please refer to all the details in the Role Description below (Job ref: 944012), or reach out to Andrew Towsty, Director, RSS Business and Financial Services, on Phone: 0481 061 272 or via E-mail: andrew.towsty@sa.gov.au 

To find out what you need to apply, and what is required to be offered a role, please refer to the Applicant Checklist BHFLHN Applicant Checklist.pdf.  Please also click here for our Australian applicant guidelines 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR NETWORK 

Stay connected with our Network!  Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed about exciting job opportunities and updates on us and what our employees are doing.  Click here to join the conversation. 

DON’T HESITATE!  Applications Close on Wednesday 2nd September, 2026 at11:55PM 

Eligibility: Open to all. 

 20260724 Role Description ASO7 P21101 Patient Manager Patient Assistance Transport Scheme.docx