Nurse Unit Manager

NSW Health; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 136,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata part‑t)

Paid parental leave

Salary packaging

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Hunter New England Health’s Maitland Hospital seeks an experienced Nurse Unit Manager Level 2 to lead Outpatient Services. You will guide a multidisciplinary nursing team, drive clinical governance, and champion improvements across patient access and pathways.

You will influence service delivery, workforce development, and patient experience, shaping a new leadership role in a dynamic outpatient environment. A strategic, collaborative approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with leadership experience.
• Experience in outpatient or similar clinical settings.
• Ability to drive service improvements and patient flow.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational and clinical leadership across outpatient services.
• Lead multidisciplinary nursing team to deliver safe, patient-centred care.
• Promote evidence-based practice and clinical governance.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Team management

Change management

Strategic leadership

Patient access pathways

Education

Bachelor of Nursing

Job description

Lead change. Shape the future of Outpatient Services at Maitland Hospital

Employment Type:PermanentFull Time

Position Classification:Nurse Unit Manager Level 2

Remuneration:$150,816.94 per annum + 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging

Hours Per Week:38

Requisition ID:REQ692889

Location: Maitland Hospital

Closing Date: Sunday 27th September 2026

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced nursing leader to join the Outpatient Services team at Maitland Hospital in this brand-new Nurse Unit Manager Level 2 position.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of outpatient services across Maitland and surrounding communities, providing strategic and clinical leadership within a dynamic and evolving environment. As a key member of the leadership team, you will have the opportunity to influence service delivery, strengthen patient access and pathways, support workforce development and drive improvements that make a real difference to the patient experience.

What You Will Be Doing

As the Nurse Unit Manager Level 2, Outpatient Services, you will provide strategic, operational and clinical leadership across a diverse outpatient environment.

You will:

• Lead, support and develop a multidisciplinary nursing team to deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care.
• Provide strong clinical leadership and promote evidence-based practice, clinical governance and continuous improvement.
• Lead service improvement initiatives that enhance patient access, flow and experience.
• Support strategies to reduce waitlists and improve the delivery of outpatient services.
• Monitor service performance and respond effectively to changing operational and patient needs.
• Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, allied health and corporate teams to optimise patient pathways.
• Manage workforce, resources and financial priorities to support effective and sustainable service delivery.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture where staff feel supported to grow and contribute.
• Lead and support change across a busy and evolving outpatient environment.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and motivated nursing leader who is ready to take on a new challenge and help shape the future of outpatient services.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated nursing leadership and team management experience.
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience leading and supporting change within a complex healthcare environment.
• An understanding of patient access pathways and the factors that influence timely care.
• A commitment to improving service delivery, patient flow and patient experience.
• The ability to lead with a strategic, solutions-focused and collaborative approach.
• Experience with transformational change in surgical outpatient services will be highly regarded.
• Experience with elective surgery pathways and an understanding of surgical targets, patient access and elective surgery processes will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership position - it's an opportunity to build something new.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape a brand-new Nurse Unit Manager position and influence the future direction of Outpatient Services.
• Lead meaningful improvements across patient access, flow and service delivery.
• Develop and empower a multidisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with a broad range of clinical and operational stakeholders.
• Make a tangible difference to patients and communities across Maitland and the surrounding region.
• Grow your leadership impact within a supportive and progressive healthcare environment.

What we can offer you:

• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development
• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

Additional Information

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.

Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact***************@health.nsw.gov.aufor confidential support.

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefitssuch as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.