Nurse Unit Manager- Medical Surge - Targeted

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

ADO's

6 weeks annual leave

Fitness Passport

Sustainable Healthcare

Job summary

NSW Health is seeking an experienced Nurse Unit Manager to lead a new Neurology inpatient service at John Hunter Hospital. You will establish Ward K2, a 32-bed unit, and build a high-performing team to deliver patient-centred care in a developing service.

You will provide senior nursing and operational leadership, governance, and workforce management, driving change to support the John Hunter North development while ensuring safe, high-quality care for patients.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold current authority to practise as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Postgraduate qualification requirements outlined in the Position Description.
• Experience in an acute inpatient environment.
• Ability to lead teams, manage change and foster a positive workplace culture.
• Neurology nursing experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Ward K2 and establish a new inpatient unit.
• Build and empower the nursing team and shape service delivery.
• Drive the transition to the Neurology service within the John Hunter North development.
• Provide clinical governance and workforce planning for the new service.
• Lead innovative patient care and maintain safe, high-quality care.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Clinical governance

Workforce management

Change management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse – NMBA authority

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Nurse Unit Manager- Medical Surge - Targeted

Lead the Future of Neurology Nursing – Help Build Something New at John Hunter Hospital!

Remuneration: $150,816.94 p.a. + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until June 2027
Position Classification: Nurse Unit Manager Level 2
Hours Per Week: 38 hours per week
Location: John Hunter Hospital
Requisition ID: REQ703403
Application Close date: Sunday 15th of November 2026

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria.

Are you an experienced nursing leader ready to shape the future of Neurology nursing at John Hunter Hospital?

This is an exciting opportunity to establish a new clinical team, shape a positive and high-performing workplace culture, and play a leading role in the development of a new inpatient service.

Ward K2 will initially open as a 32-bed medical inpatient unit, bringing together medical surge capacity currently distributed across several clinical areas at John Hunter Hospital. Over time, the ward will progressively transition into a dedicated Neurology service, with plans to relocate into a purpose-built Level 6 inpatient unit within the new John Hunter North development.

As Nurse Unit Manager, you will be at the forefront of this transformation, leading the development of the ward, building and empowering your team, and shaping the future delivery of specialist Neurology care at John Hunter Hospital.

What You’ll Bring

You will be a visible and forward-thinking nursing leader with demonstrated clinical and operational leadership experience in an acute inpatient environment. You will have the ability to build and lead effective teams, manage change and foster a positive workplace culture.

You will also bring strong clinical governance and workforce management skills, excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and a commitment to staff development and delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred care.

Neurology experience is desirable but not essential. The ability to lead people, embrace change and build a strong foundation for a developing service is what matters most.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must hold current authority to practise as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and meet the postgraduate qualification requirements outlined in the Position Description.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of nursing at John Hunter Hospital.

You will be supported by experienced senior nursing and operational leaders, with a structured handover from the current Nurse Unit Manager, ongoing mentoring and opportunities to strengthen your leadership and service development capabilities.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Establish a new inpatient unit and shape its identity, team and culture.
• Influence the development of a dedicated Neurology service.
• Lead innovative approaches to patient care, workforce planning and service delivery.
• Develop and empower a nursing workforce for the future.
• Play a key leadership role in the transition to the new John Hunter North development.

Be Part of Something Bigger

If you are an experienced Nurse Unit Manager ready to shape a new service, inspire a team and influence the future of Neurology care at John Hunter Hospital, we would love to hear from you!

• Ongoing training and opportunities for professional development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and their families
• ADO's each month (for full-time employees)
• 6 weeks annual leave (for eligible full time nurses)
• Salary packaging- Up to $9k for living expenses + $2.6k meal & entertainment + Novated leasing.
• Fitness Passport-for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero

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. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via *********@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

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.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

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

• 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.
• In the event there are no suitable Aboriginal applicants then applications from non-Aboriginal current employees of Hunter New England Local Health District or Calvary Mater Newcastle will be considered.
• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.