Join an established Nurse Practitioner model where you’ll have the autonomy to practise, the support to grow and the opportunity to make a real difference in a welcoming rural ED.
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time
Position Classification: Nurse Practitioner
Remuneration: $79.81 - $85.45 per hour + 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 12
Requisition ID: REQ689476
Location: Cessnock District Hospital
Closing Date: Thursday, 17th September 2026
About the Opportunity
An exciting opportunity is available for an Emergency Nurse Practitioner or Transitional Nurse Practitioner to join the Emergency Department at Cessnock Hospital. You’ll work alongside two experienced and endorsed Nurse Practitioners who have helped shape and develop the role over the past few years. You’ll also be supported by a roster of GP Visiting Medical Officers with diverse specialty skills, together with a highly skilled and collaborative team of nurses, radiographers and support staff. The culture is friendly, team-oriented and grounded in mutual respect, collaboration and shared learning. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a high degree of autonomy while knowing you have an experienced team around you when you need it. Cessnock is located just an hour west of Newcastle and the coast. Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley, the area is known for its vineyards, eclectic shops and strong connections to the region’s mining and energy industries, offering a great balance of country lifestyle and modern convenience. Our Level 3 District Hospital Emergency Department has six treatment spaces and manages approximately 22,000 presentations each year, averaging around 50 presentations per day. While the majority of presentations are lower acuity, the department still provides variety and clinical challenge, including occasional acute and complex presentations requiring stabilisation and transfer.
What You Will Be Doing
As an Emergency Nurse Practitioner / Transitional Nurse Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients presenting to the Emergency Department.
You will:
- Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and determine appropriate management.
- Request and interpret diagnostic investigations and imaging within your scope of practice.
- Develop and implement evidence-based treatment and management plans.
- Provide clinical leadership, advice and support to nursing and medical colleagues.
- Work collaboratively with GPVMOs and the broader multidisciplinary team.
- Support effective patient flow and contribute to efficient ED workflow.
- Provide safe, high-quality, person-centred emergency care.
- Contribute to a positive culture of clinical learning, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Shifts are generally 0800–1800, seven days a week, with some flexibility as required.
How You’ll Be Supported
You’ll work closely with the two experienced Nurse Practitioners currently based within the service, providing an established clinical support network as you develop within the role. Your orientation will include time to become familiar with local systems, protocols, processes and workflows.
Ongoing professional development is actively encouraged, with access to:
- 10% paid non-clinical time for professional activities.
- Education and professional support through the Nurse Practitioner Network and its established education framework.
- Emergency Stream education sessions, including the EMET program.
- Learning resources through CIAP (Clinical Information Access Portal).
- Networking, education and skills development opportunities across the Local Health District.
This is an excellent opportunity for an Emergency Nurse Practitioner looking for autonomy, variety and professional growth, while being part of a supportive rural team with experienced Nurse Practitioners who understand the role and are invested in its continued development.
About you
We’re looking for a confident, adaptable and clinically capable Nurse Practitioner who enjoys working collaboratively while bringing strong independent clinical judgement to the role.
You will bring:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
- A collaborative approach and confidence working alongside GPVMOs, nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Strong clinical assessment, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- A commitment to ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice.
- A friendly, proactive attitude and willingness to contribute to all aspects of the ED.
- The ability to work autonomously while recognising when to seek advice or escalate complex clinical presentations.
Essential Requirements
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA.
- Current endorsement as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, or evidence of substantial progress towards endorsement as a Transitional Nurse Practitioner.
For Transitional Nurse Practitioners, the appointment will be temporary for up to three years to enable the clinician to work towards Nurse Practitioner endorsement.
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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
✅ The Welcome Experience helps you and your family connect with local people and resources, making it easier to settle in and feel at home in your new community. Learn more at www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
Additional Information
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.
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.
Casual opportunities may be available for recommended applicants
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 [email protected] for confidential support
Need more information?
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For role related queries or questions contact Nicola Churms on [email protected]
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.
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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