Registered Nurse - Transition to Speciality

Hunter New England Local Health District; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 57,000 - 72,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for PT)

Salary packaging options

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Parental leave entitlements

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Hunter New England Local Health District invites a motivated Registered Nurse to join the Mental Health and Substance Use Service through a dedicated Transition to Specialty Practice Program.

You will deliver person-centred nursing care, contribute to assessments and care coordination, and collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists in an integrated care model.

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse through NMBA/AHPRA.
• Current NSW driver licence.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, high-quality, person-centred nursing care to adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.
• Participate in comprehensive assessments, care coordination, recovery planning, psychoeducation and relapse prevention.
• Build therapeutic relationships with consumers, families and carers to support recovery goals.
• Contribute to group-based therapeutic programs and group facilitation skills.
• Coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver integrated care.
• Apply evidence-based approaches to support recovery and harm minimisation.
• Engage in the structured Transition to Specialty Practice Program with supervision and mentoring.
• Develop specialist knowledge in mental health and substance use assessment and care coordination.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork in multidisciplinary teams

Commitment to recovery-oriented and E‑

Education

Registered Nurse (AHPRA/NMBA)

NSW driver licence

Job description

Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Develop specialist skills in mental health and substance use with a structured transition program and support from an experienced multidisciplinary team. Employment Type: Temporary Part Time Position Classification: Registered Nurse Remuneration: $41.22 - $52.62 per hour + 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging Hours Per Week: 32 Requisition ID: REQ700111 Location: Mater Mental Health, Waratah Closing Date: Sunday 8th November 2026

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity is available for a Registered Nurse to join the Mental Health and Substance Use Service (MHSUS) through a dedicated Transition to Specialty Practice Program. MHSUS provides specialist assessment, treatment and care coordination for adults experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. Our team delivers evidence-based, recovery-oriented care that supports consumers to achieve their individual goals and improve their overall wellbeing. Working within an integrated model of care, you’ll be exposed to contemporary approaches including Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, harm minimisation, stages of change and recovery-oriented practice. You’ll contribute to a range of interventions, including comprehensive assessment, care coordination, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, therapeutic groups and collaboration with community support services. You’ll join a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team comprising nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work and occupational therapy professionals. With strong clinical leadership, structured learning and ongoing workplace support, this is an excellent opportunity to build your confidence and develop specialist skills in a rewarding area of healthcare. The service operates Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, offering a great opportunity to develop your career while maintaining work-life balance.

What You Will Be Doing

• Deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred nursing care to consumers experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.
• Participate in comprehensive assessments, care coordination, recovery planning, psychoeducation and relapse prevention interventions.
• Build therapeutic relationships with consumers, families and carers, supporting individual recovery goals and wellbeing.
• Contribute to group-based therapeutic programs and develop skills in psychoeducation and group facilitation.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals to coordinate integrated care.
• Apply evidence-based approaches to support recovery, harm minimisation and positive health outcomes.
• Participate in a structured Transition to Specialty Practice Program, including education, clinical supervision, mentoring and workplace learning.
• Develop specialist knowledge and clinical confidence in mental health and substance use assessment, treatment and care coordination.

About You

We’re looking for a motivated and compassionate Registered Nurse who is keen to learn, embrace new challenges and develop a career in mental health and substance use nursing. You may be an early-career nurse or an experienced Registered Nurse looking to transition into a new specialty. Most importantly, you’ll bring a commitment to person-centred care, a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in supporting people experiencing mental health and substance use concerns.

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA.
• A current NSW driver licence.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build therapeutic relationships with consumers, families and carers.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to person-centred, recovery-oriented and evidence-based practice.
• Resilience, adaptability and an understanding of the importance of self-care.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice.

Previous experience in mental health or alcohol and other drug services is desirable but not essential. We welcome nurses who have the right attitude, values and willingness to learn, with specialist knowledge and skills developed through the program and ongoing workplace support.

Support and Professional Development

This position has been specifically designed to support a Registered Nurse transitioning into the specialty of mental health and substance use. You’ll receive structured orientation, a comprehensive learning and development plan, clinical supervision, mentoring and ongoing guidance from the Service Manager, Staff Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialists and experienced clinicians. Your development will be supported through training and learning opportunities in:

• Motivational Interviewing.
• Trauma-Informed Care.
• Recovery-Oriented Practice.
• Dual Diagnosis Assessment and Treatment.
• Mental Health and Substance Use Service models of care.
• Group Facilitation and Psychoeducation.
• Risk Assessment and Management.
• Individual and Group Clinical Supervision.

You’ll have the opportunity to build your clinical knowledge, develop confidence in a specialist setting and learn alongside an experienced team committed to your professional growth.

What We Can Offer

• A structured Transition to Specialty Practice Program to support your move into mental health and substance use nursing.
• Ongoing clinical supervision, mentoring, coaching and supported workplace learning.
• Access to specialist training and NSW Health professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced nursing, medical and allied health professionals.
• Exposure to a specialised service supporting people with complex and co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.
• Monday to Friday working hours, with no rostered shift work, weekends or public holidays.
• A supportive workplace culture focused on collaboration, learning, service innovation and continuous improvement.
• Opportunities to develop specialist clinical skills and build a rewarding career within mental health services.

What we can offer you

• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development
• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• 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 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 [e-mail] for confidential support.

For role related queries or questions contact Racheal Byers on [e-mail].

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 [e-mail] or 1300 40 25 23. Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn!