PAPU Registered Nurse Grade 3

Are you a current Austin Health employee?

If yes, please log in to the Austin Health careers website via ‘Employee Login’ using your network login details to search, view and apply for all career opportunities available.

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 PAPU

The Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit ( PAPU) is a four bed inpatient unit, co - located with the Austin Hospital Short Stay Unit ( SSU ) providing timely short - term care/support up to 72 hours. We also provide Acute Mental Health Comprehensive Assessment with disposition planning. The Unit compromises two nursing staff on each rotating shifts, with daily medical support in persons and via phone after hours. 

About the role

The RPN 3 role provides clinical care within the four - bed Unit, together with PAPU and SSU clinical staff, providing excellence in collaborative clinical practice and patient care. The incumbent will require knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation. The RPN 3 under the direction of the RPN 4 assists in co - ordinating patient flow and treatment interventions. Utilise a recovery approach in their work, utilising recovery language that fosters self determination, along with adapting hope as goal directed and focuses in personal strengths.

A regular day will see you:

• Work under the support and direction of the RPN 4 PAPU senior clinician
• Display a clear understanding of the principle of recovery orientated practice
• Applies sound clinical knowledge and an in - depth understanding of contemporary mental health practices to ensure quality outcomes are achieved.
• Conducts assessments of clients and develop management plans, safety plans with clients and carers.
• Ensure discharge planning and transfer of care is undertaken in a timely effective manner. 
• Implements, monitors and reviews risk management plans in collaboration with the clinical team.

About you

You will be someone who has excellent communication skills, with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care. You’ll bring energy and drive to your work, and have a keen interest in developing your skill set.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring with you:

• Effective communication skills
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Mental Health Act
• Previous inpatient Mental Health experience, demonstrate understanding of inpatient and community Mental Health supports/systems.
• Competency in basic nursing care procedure.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients experiencing psychiatric illness and medical co - morbities, their families and carers, as part of a multi - disciplinary team and a collaborative inpatient setting.

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. Austin Health is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with Child Safe Standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Diana Kavelj, PAPU EPS Clinical Lead Nurse at Diana.KAVELJ@austin.org.au.

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Sunday 1 November 2026