Nurse Unit Manager - Medical 1 and Palliative Care

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Position Classification: Nurse Unit Manager Level 2

Remuneration: $146,423.50 per annum+ Super + Salary Packaging

Hours Per Week: 38

Location: Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital

Application close date: Sunday, 28th June 2026

Make a meaningful difference. Lead with purpose. Grow your career with Hunter New England Local Health District

Hunter New England Local Health District is seeking an experienced and dynamic nurse leader to join Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital as the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) for Medical 1 and Nioka Palliative Care. This is a rewarding leadership opportunity to oversee two important inpatient services within the largest rural referral hospital in Hunter New England Local Health District. You will lead highly skilled multidisciplinary teams dedicated to delivering safe, compassionate and patient-centred care to patients with acute medical conditions and those requiring specialist palliative and end-of-life care.

As the NUM, you will play a pivotal role in driving clinical excellence, operational performance, workforce development and quality improvement while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

About the Role

The Nurse Unit Manager is responsible for the operational and clinical leadership of Medical 1 and Nioka Palliative Care. Reporting to the Director of Nursing and Midwifery, you will lead the day-to-day management of both units and work collaboratively with nursing, medical, allied health and executive teams to achieve outstanding patient outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing visible leadership and effective management of nursing and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care. Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, rostering and staff development, while leading patient flow, bed utilisation and discharge planning processes. Drive clinical governance, risk management and quality improvement initiatives, manage operational budgets and resources efficiently, and support service redesign, innovation and change management. Foster a positive workplace culture aligned with NSW Health CORE Values and ensure compliance with accreditation standards, NSW Health policies and relevant legislative requirements.

About Medical 1 and Nioka Palliative Care

Medical 1 is a busy acute medical ward providing care to patients with a diverse range of complex medical conditions. Nioka Palliative Care delivers specialist palliative and supportive care services, providing compassionate and holistic care to patients and their families.

Together, these services are committed to delivering exceptional patient care through collaboration, clinical excellence, continuous improvement and professional development.

About You

You are an experienced and approachable nurse leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality healthcare and supporting teams to thrive.

You will demonstrate:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA.
• Significant leadership experience within an acute healthcare setting.
• Extensive clinical experience in medical and/or palliative care services.
• Strong operational management and workforce planning capability.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate qualifications in Nursing, Leadership, Health Management, Business Management or a related field.
• Leadership and management training.
• Experience in workforce and financial management.
• Qualifications or experience in palliative care, chronic disease management or acute medical nursing.
• Experience in clinical governance, accreditation or quality improvement leadership.

Why Tamworth?

Located in the heart of the New England region, Tamworth offers an outstanding lifestyle with affordable housing, excellent schools, short commute times and a welcoming community.

Enjoy a vibrant regional city featuring outstanding sporting facilities, cultural events, cafés, restaurants and easy access to national parks and outdoor recreation. Whether you're looking for career advancement, a lifestyle change or the opportunity to make a genuine difference in regional healthcare, Tamworth offers the perfect balance of professional opportunity and quality of life.

What we can offer you:

✅ The Welcome Experience to help you settle into your new community - including finding housing, education and childcare options, even your local sporting club!

✅ Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

✅ Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero

✅ Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)

✅ 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 member

Join Us

If you are a passionate nursing leader ready to drive excellence in patient care, support high-performing teams and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery in regional NSW, we encourage you to apply.

Need more information?

Click here for the Position Description

Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Carolyn Heise on [email protected]

• 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.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
• 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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