Nurse Unit Manager

Western District Health Service; Penshurst; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly ADO

Salary packaging

Generous leave

Professional development

Leadership development

Relocation support

Shared accommodation

Housing assistance

Lead agedcare & acute

Work-life balance

Job summary

Western District Health Service seeks an experienced Nurse Unit Manager for Penshurst Campus in rural Victoria. You will lead clinical and operational teams across aged care and acute services, delivering person-centred, high-quality care daily.

You will oversee staffing, governance and service delivery, ensuring staff development and safety standards while collaborating with residents, families and external partners. Relocation support and ADO benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse Division 1.
• Demonstrated nursing leadership and staff management experience.
• Experience in aged care and/or rural healthcare environments.
• Strong clinical leadership, communication and decision-making capability; experience supporting workforce development and staff performance.
• Understanding of the Aged Care Quality Standards and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
• Commitment to person-centred care and continuous improvement.
• NDIS clearance (or willingness to obtain).
• Rights to work in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight to nursing staff and the Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator to ensure safe, high-quality care across aged care and acute services.
• Coordinate staffing, workloads, skill mix, and mandatory training compliance.
• Promote person-centred care and involve residents, patients, families and carers in decisions.
• Lead incident management, quality improvement activities and accreditation processes while ensuring documentation and care plans meet standards.
• Collaborate with medical, allied health and community services and build strong relationships with residents, patients, families and carers.
• Act as Nurse in Charge on morning shifts, contribute to service planning and represent Penshurst Campus at meetings.

Skills

AHPRA Registration

Nursing leadership

Staff management

Aged care experience

Rural healthcare

Clinical leadership

Communication

NDIS clearance

Job description

Nurse Unit Manager – Penshurst Campus

Penshurst Campus | Western District Health Service

• Permanent Full Time Opportunity
• Monthly Accrued Day Off (ADO)
• Penshurst, Victoria
• $142,105 per annum + Super + Salary Packaging Benefits
• Relocation support, including access to short-term shared accommodation (subject to availability)
• Lead a dedicated team delivering high-quality aged care and acute services in a welcoming rural community

Lead care, people and service excellence

Western District Health Service is seeking an experienced and motivated Nurse Unit Manager to lead our team at Penshurst Campus.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity for a Registered Nurse who is passionate about delivering outstanding care, building high-performing teams and creating a positive experience for residents, patients, families and staff.

Penshurst Campus comprises four acute beds and 29 residential aged care beds, providing a unique opportunity to lead across both aged care and acute services within a close-knit rural community. As Nurse Unit Manager, you will provide clinical and operational leadership to nursing staff, Health Care Workers and the Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator, ensuring high-quality, person-centred and evidence-based care is delivered every day.

Relocating? We'll Help You Settle In

We understand that relocating for work is a significant decision, and we're committed to helping make the transition as smooth as possible.

Penshurst offers the perfect blend of career opportunity and lifestyle. Enjoy affordable living, a welcoming and supportive community, shorter commute times, and easy access to the Grampians National Park and some of southwest Victoria's most beautiful natural attractions.

To support your move, successful applicants relocating to the region may have access to:

• Short-term shared accommodation to assist with your transition to the region
• Assistance connecting with local real estate agents and long-term rental opportunities
• Support to build local connections through community groups, sporting clubs and social networks
• Guidance and assistance as you settle into your new role and community
• A welcoming and supportive team committed to helping you feel at home from day one

Please note that accommodation support is offered as short-term shared accommodation only and is subject to availability.

What You'll Be Doing

Clinical Leadership

Provide clinical leadership and oversight to nursing staff, Health Care Workers and the Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator, ensuring safe, high-quality care across aged care and acute services.

Workforce Management

Coordinate staffing, allocate workloads, support skill mix requirements and manage staff performance, development and mandatory training compliance.

Person-Centred Care

Promote care that respects individual values, preferences and goals while actively involving residents, patients, families and carers in decision-making.

Quality, Safety & Clinical Governance

Lead incident management, quality improvement activities and accreditation processes while ensuring documentation, assessments and care plans meet required standards.

Stakeholder Engagement

Work collaboratively with medical, allied health and community services and build strong relationships with residents, patients, families and carers.

Operational Leadership

Act as Nurse in Charge on morning shifts, contribute to service planning and represent Penshurst Campus at relevant organisational meetings.

What You Bring

• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse Division 1
• Demonstrated nursing leadership and staff management experience
• Experience in aged care and/or rural healthcare environments
• Strong clinical leadership, communication and decision-making capabilityExperience supporting workforce development and staff performance
• Understanding of the Aged Care Quality Standards and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
• Commitment to person-centred care and continuous improvement
• NDIS Clearance (or willingness to obtain)
• Rights to work in Australia

Why Join Western District Health Service?

About Us

At Western District Health Service, we pride ourselves on strong teamwork and our shared commitment to delivering person-centred, high-quality healthcare to communities across the Southern Grampians and Glenelg regions.

We celebrate diversity, inclusion and accessibility and are proud to be guided by our values of Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empathy.

To learn more about WDHS, visit: ********************************>

To explore the region, visit: **********************************************************>

What We Offer

• Monthly Accrued Day Off (ADO)
• Salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave provisions
• Professional development and leadership development opportunities
• Supportive executive and leadership team
• Relocation support, including access to short-term shared accommodation (subject to availability)
• Assistance connecting with long-term housing opportunities
• Opportunity to lead both aged care and acute services
• Meaningful work within a respected rural health service
• Excellent work-life balance in a welcoming regional community

Interested?

For more information, view the Position Description: Link

For a confidential discussion, contact: Emily Cowen, Director of Nursing – Penshurst Campus on ************ or ***************

Western District Health Service is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and culturally safe workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people living with disability.

If you require support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our People & Capability team on **************** we’re here to ensure you can participate fully and comfortably.

Successful applicants will be required to hold or obtain the relevant mandatory checks and meet WDHS compliance requirements as a condition of employment.