Clinical Nurse Manager- Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit

Australian Regional and Remote Community Services Ltd; Northern Territory; On-site; AUD 109,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging benefits

Work‑life balance rostering

Relocation support up to $5000

Overtime and shift differentials

Job summary

Australian Regional and Remote Community Services Ltd (ARRCS) seeks a Clinical Nurse Manager to lead the Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit. You will guide registered nurses and care workers, overseeing complex dementia assessments and person‑centred care that prioritises dignity and quality of life.

With a strong focus on responsive behaviours and non‑pharmacological approaches, you will work with families and multidisciplinary teams to optimise resident outcomes and staff development.

Qualifications

• Current AHPRA registered RN with three years' post‑registration clinical experience.
• Experience in aged care, acute care or chronic disease care.
• Leadership, coaching or mentoring of healthcare staff.
• Strong knowledge of Aged Care Quality Standards and regulatory requirements.
• Postgraduate qualifications in dementia care or related fields highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible clinical leadership across the Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit.
• Lead assessments, care planning and behaviour support for residents with complex dementia.
• Coach staff in dementia communication, de‑escalation and trauma‑informed care.
• Coordinate complex case reviews with families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Monitor clinical risks and quality indicators; ensure safe environments.
• Support a calm, therapeutic environment prioritising dignity and engagement.
• Lead continuous improvement from audits, incidents and feedback.
• Provide clinical support and work as RN when required.

Skills

AHPRA RN

Clinical leadership

Dementia care

Behaviour support

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor of Nursing

Job description

Lead specialist dementia care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of older Australians. Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) is seeking an experienced and passionate Clinical Nurse Manager - Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit to provide clinical leadership within our specialist dementia service. This is an exciting opportunity for a Registered Nurse with strong clinical leadership experience and a genuine passion for dementia care to lead a skilled team supporting older people living with severe or advanced dementia and complex behavioural and psychological symptoms.

About The Role

As Clinical Nurse Manager, you will provide day-to-day clinical leadership, coordination and oversight of safe, high-quality and person-centred care within the Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit. You will lead Registered Nurses and Personal Care Workers, ensuring residents receive individualised, evidence-based care that prioritises dignity, choice and quality of life. A strong focus of the role will be understanding responsive behaviours and supporting staff to use trauma-informed, least restrictive and non-pharmacological approaches wherever appropriate. Working closely with residents, families, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and specialist services, you will oversee complex assessments, behaviour support planning, case conferencing, clinical risk management and ongoing evaluation of resident outcomes.

Remuneration

This Position Is Available With The Below Remuneration Package

• Penalty driven hourly rate of an Aged Care Registered Nurse Level 3 - (AM rate) $55.11 / hour - $55.37 / hour ($108,900 - $109,500) gross base.
• Exclusive $50,000 PA bonus structure for your first year (12 months) of continuous employment. (conditions apply).
  • $25,000 gross (pro-rata for PT) less tax upon successful completion of probation.
  • $25,000 gross (pro-rata for PT) less tax payable after completion of a further 6 consecutive months service with bonus payments ceasing upon the completion of one (1) year of continuous service.
• Access to full salary packaging benefits through Eziway Salary Packaging.
• The ability to have ‘Work, Life, Balance’ with flexibility on rostering and working for a family friendly organisation.
• Access to a skilled and resourced in-house Clinical Education team to support you not only on Aged Care legislation, but to continue to work with you with personal, clinical and professional development.
• Employment terms under a lucrative enterprise agreement which allows for overtime rates, weekend, evening shifts, public holiday rates and additional allowances.
• Relocation support of up to $5,000.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide visible clinical leadership and oversight across the Specialist Dementia Behaviour Unit.
• Lead comprehensive assessment, care planning and behaviour support planning for residents with complex dementia-related needs.
• Coach and mentor nursing and care staff in dementia-specific communication, de-escalation, trauma-informed practice and least restrictive care.
• Coordinate complex case reviews and collaborate with families, multidisciplinary clinicians and specialist dementia and psychogeriatric services.
• Monitor clinical risks, behavioural incidents, restrictive practices, psychotropic medication use and other key quality indicators.
• Support a safe, calm and therapeutic environment that promotes meaningful engagement, independence and dignity.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives arising from audits, incidents, complaints, resident and family feedback and clinical outcomes.
• Provide clinical support and work as a Registered Nurse when required to support the needs of the service.

About You

You will be an experienced and confident Registered Nurse who brings strong clinical judgement, a collaborative leadership style and a passion for improving the experience of people living with dementia.

You Will Have

• A Bachelor of Nursing and current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse.
• A minimum of three years' post-registration clinical experience within aged care, acute care or chronic disease care.
• Experience leading, coaching or mentoring healthcare staff.
• Strong knowledge of the Aged Care Quality Standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Clinical leadership experience within dementia care, older persons mental health, behaviour support or a comparable complex-care environment.
• An understanding of severe or advanced dementia, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions.
• Knowledge of behaviour support planning, restrictive practices, informed consent, clinical governance and incident review within residential aged care.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, particularly when working with residents, families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Postgraduate qualifications or specialist training in dementia care, gerontology, older persons mental health or behaviour support will be highly regarded.

About ARRCS

ARRCS provides residential aged care and home care services across the Northern Territory and South Australia, with a strong commitment to improving quality of life for older people living in regional and remote Australia. We take a holistic approach to care and hold a deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders, which remains at the heart of what we do. Our values of Compassion, Respect, Justice, Working Together and Leading Through Learning guide the way we support our residents, families, communities and each other.

Mandatory Requirements

The successful applicant will be required to hold or obtain:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to commencement.
• Current Influenza Vaccination.
• National Police Check dated within three months of commencement.