Associate Nursing Unit Manager

Sentio Recruit; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Sentio Recruit is assisting an Australian forensic mental health service in appointing an Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM). This leadership role demands frontline management, advanced mental health expertise, and strong governance to support complex patient needs.

You will lead trauma-informed safety, oversee staffing, mentor nurses, and drive recovery-focused care within a growing acute/sub-acute service. This is a permanent full-time position with interstate relocation support.

Qualifications

• Current APHRA registration as a Registered Nurse.
• Experience in forensic mental health settings preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in clinical settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the ANUM within the acute/sub-acute forensic service.
• Oversee staffing, resource allocation and governance.
• Drive trauma‑informed safety initiatives and incident responses.
• Support nurses delivering recovery‑focused care to complex patients.

Skills

Mental health nursing

Leadership & supervision

Crisis de-escalation

Forensic knowledge

Clinical governance

Education

APHRA Registered Nurse (Australia)

Job description

About the Opportunity

Are you a values‑driven Registered Psychiatric Nurse looking to deepen your expertise and contribute to a service undergoing significant growth? With multiple positions available, this is a chance to join an expanding specialist forensic mental health service at a pivotal moment in its development.

The Role

We are seeking an Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) to take on a brand‑new leadership role within our expanding acute and sub‑acute specialist forensic mental health service. This is an opportunity to influence service development, shape team culture, and lead high‑impact clinical practice. You bring proven frontline leadership capability, advanced mental health expertise, strong knowledge of forensic legislation, and highly developed de‑escalation and crisis‑management skills.

In this collaborative leadership role, you will drive trauma‑informed safety initiatives, uphold high standards of clinical governance, and lead responses to clinical incidents and emergencies. You will oversee unit staffing and resources while coaching and supporting nurses delivering recovery‑focused care to individuals with complex mental health needs and offending‑related risks.

You are a respected and confident leader who inspires your team, fosters a positive and safe work culture, and demonstrates emotional resilience, compassion, and sound judgement under pressure. You thrive in dynamic environments and can manage highly complex clinical and operational workloads.

Key Selection Criteria

• Minimum 3+ year’s mental health nursing experience.
• Additional 2+ year’s team leader, acting ANUM or senior clinician.
• Current APHRA as a Registered Nurse.
• Experience within a forensic mental health, acute inpatient/intensive psychiatry or secure mental health services.
• Currently living and working in Australia
• Permanent full-time position with a generous salary package + penalties.
• Professional development, education, and clinical supervision programs supporting diverse career opportunities.
• Opportunity to contribute to a newly expanded service within an innovative organisation.
• A values-led organisation committed to patient recovery and wellbeing.
• Interstate relocation financial support up to $2,500.