Nurse Unit Manager - Mental Health
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- Nurse Unit Manager RPN5
- Permanent, full time position with monthly ADO
- Opportunity to play a vital role in a vibrant, innovative, therapeutic team who work together to improve outcomes for young people aged 13 - 17 years of age
Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.
About the Mental Health Division
The Mental Health Division provides care and services through a comprehensive range of teams to meet the needs of mental health consumers and carers throughout Victoria. Services are across Adult and Older Adult, Infant, Child and Youth as well as Speciality Services and can be bed based or located in the community.
All mental health services and programs work within a clinical framework that promotes recovery-oriented practice and supported decision making. This approach to consumer wellbeing builds on the strengths of the individual working in partnership with their treating team. It encompasses the principles of self-determination and individualized treatment and care.
About ICYMHS
The Child and Youth Mental Health Service (ICYMHS) sits within the Mental Health Division and provides tertiary mental health services to the north-eastern catchment of Melbourne (currently the local government areas of Banyule, Boroondara, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, and Yarra). Young people eligible for the service are predominantly aged 0-18 years and currently expanding to work with those aged up to 25 years.
About the Adolescent Inpatient Unit
The Adolescent Inpatient Unit (AIPU) is a small 11-bed inpatient unit located at the Austin Hospital that works closely with young people and their carers to achieve positive outcomes in all areas of functioning. The unit is part of the broader Infant Child Youth Mental Health Service (ICYMHS).
The team is well supported by the Austin School teaching staff who work to keep young people connected to their home schools or help them reconnect to appropriate educational pathways.
About the role
As the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM), you are recognised as the clinical operational leader alongside the consultant psychiatrist in the team. You will also be part of the ICYMHS leadership group, and work to model the core values of Austin Health through effective leadership and management of AIPU.
A regular day will see you:
- Monitor and lead the ongoing delivery and improvement of a high standard of evidence-based care to adolescents admitted to the unit.
- Set the standard for inpatient care provided to adolescents through utilising evidence-based practice and innovation, whilst ensuring that the nursing care meets the professional, organisational, legal, and ethical standards to optimise health outcomes for the community.
- Work collaboratively with an extensive team spanning across various disciplines.
- Act as a leader demonstrating and modelling exemplary professional conduct at all times.
- Work in partnership with the consultant psychiatrist and the multi-disciplinary team to foster a positive culture, driving change, a safe working environment and the effective utilisation of financial resources within a cycle of continuous service improvement.
About you
You will be passionate about working with adolescents, their families and carers, and a strong lived experience workforce. You will have knowledge and experience in current theoretical approaches and best practices, and you will enjoy being part of a multidisciplinary team shaping the future of an innovative mental health service.
To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:
- Minimum 5 years mental health nursing experience
- Post graduate qualification in mental health nursing of equivalent
- Registered Nurse with current AHPRA registration
- Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to coach and mentor your team, think creatively when problem solving, have an approachable style and be resilient in times of change.
- A passion for working with young people, their families and carers
- Strong commitment to learning and best practice by maintaining and updating your professional development portfolio
Our benefits
Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:
- Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation.
- A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program.
- Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options.
- Mentoring and career development opportunities.
Work with us!
We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.
If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Sue Wells, Divisional Manager ICYMHS at Sue.Wells@austin.org.au
Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details.
Application closing date: Monday 11 August 2025
