Deb Barbas
Coogee
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at the Mental Health Commission, adept in change management and cross-functional teamwork. Spearheaded major transition, enhancing stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency. Excels in project leadership, change management and interpersonal communication, achieving significant process improvements and fostering a culture of continuous innovation and team development.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
A/Assistant Director Community Services
Mental Health Commission
01.2025 - Current
- Support and guide teams through change and adjustment associated with the new structural alignment of the commissioning and programs directorate.
- Lead and oversee the coordination of multiple project teams in the implementation to be of built and operationalised in metro and regional WA. These include Step Up, Step Down services, and Sobering Up Centre and Youth Homelessness Service.
- Lead and support project and quality assurance team in the transition and roll out of National Safety & Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations.
- Developing strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the teams.
- Influential in change management and motivating teams and individuals to be productive and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
- Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging staff to innovate and propose solutions to challenges and encourage teamwork.
- Resolve staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
Program Manager
East Metropolitan Health Service
11.2024 - 01.2025
- Managed and supervised Community Alcohol and Drug Services Next Step staff to ensure daily service delivery and operations, complying with policies and procedures.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders such as the Non Government Organisation (Partners), to ensure support in the transition of the service from Mental Health Commission to East Metropolitan Health Service.
Project Director
Mental Health Commission
11.2023 - 11.2024
- Influential in leading the transition of Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services on behalf of the Mental Health Commission to East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) in collaboration with EMHS Major Projects Team.
- Cultivated a positive work relationship with all levels of stakeholders across all sites and services.
- Fostered open communication channels and encouraging team members to respond and support transition planning and implementation.
- Streamlined project governance and ensured focus on the the 18 transition plans associated with transition
- Managed and co-ordinated meetings of cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination throughout the transition.
- Collaborated closely with the EMHS Major projects team for thorough effective planning and execution of the transition.
- Planned and implemented change management strategies and prepared and delivered communications strategy to support successful integration of staff November 2024.
A/Director & A/Asst Director Community Services
Mental Health Commission
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Supporting holiday relief of both the Director and Assistant Director of Community Services during this 9 week period.
- As acting Director Community Services reported to the Deputy Commissioner of Commissioning and Programs.
- Overseeing community support services, contracted through direct service provision and delivery inclusive of non-government and service provision contracts for mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services including Residential rehabilitation units, Community Care units, Youth Homelessness, Community Living Support Program, Sobering Up Centres and Step Up and Step Down Programs.
- Managing approximately 37 FTE and estimated budget of $125.5 Million.
- Enhanced team collaboration and culture through regular communication by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered staff engagement, and boosted overall team morale during this period.
Principal Consultant (Building & Compliance)
WA Health Department
04.2023 - 11.2023
- Leveraging from previous employment at LARU in the Clinical Excellence Division, supported the extended leave of a individual.
- Utilising experience in major hospital infrastructure projects supported the assessment of Building Approval Process Submissions against the WA Health Facility Guidelines (Architectural and Engineering) and the Licensing Standards and arrangements for management, staffing and equipment.
- Carried out scheduled annual inspections/investigations inclusive of building approvals that inform premises are suitable.
- Evaluated and assessed all types of licensed services from private hospitals, day hospitals, psychiatric hostels, private nursing posts and nursing homes in Western Australia .
- Lead in inspections for approval to occupy of new builds such as large hospital mental health service expansion for a metro health service provider.
- As lead clinical consultant of team of architectural and engineering consultant's. Regularly utilised analytical skills to collaboratively interpret complex information and effectively offer actionable recommendations for compliance against guidelines and standards.
Project Manager
St John Western Australia (SJWA)
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Successfully managed project team in the roll out of statewide electronic dangerous drug register (EDR) for all ambulance service providers. This was a mandatory requirement instructed by the Health Department WA.
- Interacted with all business units metro, regional and remote locations to convert from paper-based register to electronic drug record register via point of care Ipad.
- Turned around a project that had been delayed previously and had poor reputation, by honing in on soft skills, understanding motivations, behaviours and influences.
- Highly successful project delivery - as the Project sponsor and lead quoted that they had never experienced an extensive roll out before for this kind and touching on all aspects of the service. A game changer for service delivery in safety and management of dangerous drugs.
- Re-planned and designed project delivery with internal project team business analysts (2), change analyst and subject matter expert (paramedic on secondment).
- Delegated tasks with accurate estimation of achievable workloads of project team, ensuring clear understanding of roles and responsibilities - matching the skillset of team members to reach goals without re-work.
Manager Hospital Redevelopment Projects
St John of God Murdoch Hospital (SJGMH)
01.2021 - 09.2022
- As an accomplished project manager and clinician and track record of hospital project delivery as Murdoch. Appointed to managed onsite multiple capital works projects in various phases and lead the progress of major approved mental service development dedicated to youth and young adults.
- Achieved full documentation of this unique service for youth and young adults for tender and construction. Ensured that concept was developed to detailed design ensuring subject matter experts and consumers were engaged in process of informing design.
- Co-ordinated user group meetings for best outcomes and included interstate mental health service providers online and representatives of the Office of Chief Psychiatrist and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and best practice is incorporated.
- Planned new build multi-storey Car Park ($42.6m), Endoscopy Suite expansion ($8.16m) & Emergency Department Refurbishment ($3.62m), Theatre Plant Upgrade ($3.15m), Medical Centre Lifts ($3.37m)
- Completed Community Hospice Refurbishment ($4.8m)
- (multiple tasks within established timeframes as client-side project manager in the planning of a new build of a mental health service ($70M),
- Utilising clinical background maintained professional, organized, and ensured safe environment for employees and patients and visitors during building works.
Facility Manager
Aegis Aged Care
11.2019 - 01.2021
- Responsible for the efficient and effective management of a residential aged care facility (90 beds) at Alfred Carson Lodge Claremont. Supported holistic and person-centred care to all residents. Ensuring they enjoy a quality lifestyle in accordance with Aged Care Standards.
- Developed and managed site during COVID lockdown restrictions and prepared site pandemic plan.
- Transitioned to commissioning facility manager for two newly constructed Aged Care Facilities at North Coogee 'Shoreline' and Alkimos 'Shorehaven'.
- Supported the project management of the implementation of new roster time attendance system, kicking off at Alkimos site.
Project Manager
St John of God Social Outreach
11.2018 - 10.2019
- Successfully managed and planned multiple projects to agreed objectives and deliverables simultaneously in alignment with organizational goals.
- Key achievement roll out of combined Electronic Medical Record System (EMR) and Patient Management (PMS) for Community Mental Health Service in WA and Victoria against a 6 month timeline from start to finish.
- Developed dedicated change management plans using ADKAR methodology.
- Influential in bringing all stakeholders at all sites (Victoria & WA) for a standardised approach, transition from paper-based records.
- Developed and documented final state of business processes using Microsoft Visio to map "as is" to "to be" for a standardised approach.
Principal Consultant (Building)
WA Health Department
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Oversee all active building projects for licensed private health facilities in Western Australia (up to 90+). From initial concept approval assessments for minor works to major builds and refurbishments,
- Review and assess all building project applications in approval in principle to construct and completion of approval to occupy inspections.
Clinical Services Manager Redevelopment
St John of God Healthcare
09.2010 - 12.2017
- Major achievement playing a major role in the feasibility study for board approval process of major $200m hospital redevelopment.
- Leading and managing the documentation of detailed functional brief and user group consultation process.
- Successful outcomes in detailed design via effective stakeholder management.
- Invited speaker to Health Facilities Design and Development National Conference (June 2012)." Meeting Future Healthcare Demands through Energy Efficient, Flexible and User Group Centric Design". Presenting FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) Planning and Commissioning Strategies relevant to major hospital redevelopment projects.
- Invited participant for the G20 evening panel discussion at "2014 Australian Healthcare Week - Enhancing healthcare delivery through design, development and technology".
- Key projects delivered - Masterplan and Redevelopment Stage 1 & 2 (52 stages and practical completion handovers ($200m) - Hospital Ward Refurbishment ($20m) - Clinical Training Facilities and Medical Records Development ($11m) - St John of God Geraldton Theatre & CSSD Compliance Upgrade ($7m)
Clinical Operational Leadership and Management
St John of God Murdoch Hospital
05.2000 - 09.2010
- Clinical Nurse, Clinical Instructor - Intensive Care Unit
- Relief Nurse Manager and After-Hours Hospital Duty Manager
- Operational Nurse Manager Murdoch Community Hospice
- Quality Project Officer
- Concurrent roles Area Manager and Case Manager
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Central Gippsland Health Service
01.1994 - 04.2000
- Clinical Nurse Specialist working between Critical Care Unit, Emergency Department and Dialysis Unit
Education
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration -
Murdoch University
Perth, WA01-2016
Graduate Diploma in Project Management -
Curtin University
Perth, WA01-2015
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Critical Care) -
Monash University
Clayton, VIC01-1998
Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) -
Monash University Gippsland
01-1994
Skills
- Change Management
- Cross-functional teamwork and collaboration
- Project planning and development
- Leadership and management
- Stakeholder engagement and communications
- Purchasing and procurement
- Service contracts management
- Accreditation standards
Referees
Monica Taylor
Deputy Commissioner Commissioning and Programs
Mental Health Commission
Ph: 0406402819
Ann-Marie Cunniffe
A/Director Treatment Services
Mental Health Commission
Ph: 0405963540
Trish Calder
A/Assistant Director - Community Services
Mental Health Commission
Ph: 0418935513
Timeline
A/Assistant Director Community Services
Mental Health Commission
01.2025 - Current
Program Manager
East Metropolitan Health Service
11.2024 - 01.2025
A/Director & A/Asst Director Community Services
Mental Health Commission
06.2024 - 08.2024
Project Director
Mental Health Commission
11.2023 - 11.2024
Principal Consultant (Building & Compliance)
WA Health Department
04.2023 - 11.2023
Project Manager
St John Western Australia (SJWA)
09.2022 - 04.2023
Manager Hospital Redevelopment Projects
St John of God Murdoch Hospital (SJGMH)
01.2021 - 09.2022
Facility Manager
Aegis Aged Care
11.2019 - 01.2021
Project Manager
St John of God Social Outreach
11.2018 - 10.2019
Principal Consultant (Building)
WA Health Department
12.2017 - 11.2018
Clinical Services Manager Redevelopment
St John of God Healthcare
09.2010 - 12.2017
Clinical Operational Leadership and Management
St John of God Murdoch Hospital
05.2000 - 09.2010
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Central Gippsland Health Service
01.1994 - 04.2000
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration -
Murdoch University
Graduate Diploma in Project Management -
Curtin University
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Critical Care) -
Monash University
Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) -
Monash University Gippsland
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