Lead a skilled perioperative team and shape the future of surgical care in rural health.
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Nurse Unit Manager level 1
Remuneration: $143,997.20 + 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ679721
Location: Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
Closing Date: Sunday, 2nd August 2026
About the Opportunity
Lead a dedicated perioperative team while enjoying the lifestyle and rewards of rural healthcare. Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Hospital is a welcoming rural facility providing high-quality surgical and emergency services to the local community. The hospital features a 14-bed General Ward, a busy 3-bed Emergency Department and an onsite Operating Theatre supported by Visiting Medical Officers, Anaesthetists and Surgeons, delivering general surgery, endoscopy and ophthalmology services. As the Nurse Unit Manager – Perioperative Services, you will provide both clinical and operational leadership to a skilled multidisciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Assistant in Nursing staff, Theatre Orderlies and Central Sterilising Department Technicians. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a close-knit team where your leadership will have a direct impact on patient outcomes, staff development and service delivery. From commencement, you will be supported by a collaborative leadership team and have access to ongoing guidance from the Rural Referral Health Service (RRHS) Perioperative Clinical Nurse Consultant. You'll also benefit from professional development opportunities and the chance to further strengthen your leadership and perioperative management skills within Hunter New England Local Health District.
What You Will Be Doing
As the Nurse Unit Manager, you will provide clinical, operational and strategic leadership across the perioperative unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality and patient-centred care.
In this role, you will:
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Lead, coordinate and oversee the day-to-day operations of the perioperative unit.
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Provide clinical leadership and support to the perioperative nursing team.
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Ensure nursing practice meets professional, legislative and organisational standards.
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Drive quality improvement, patient safety and accreditation activities.
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Manage workforce planning, recruitment, rostering and performance development.
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Monitor and manage budgets and operational resources.
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Support the orientation, education and professional development of staff.
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Work collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists, visiting medical officers and the multidisciplinary team to ensure efficient patient flow and exceptional surgical care.
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Report directly to the Health Service Manager
About you
Our ideal candidate is an experienced perioperative nursing leader who is passionate about delivering safe, high-quality surgical care while fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. You will be an approachable and adaptable leader with excellent communication and organisational skills, capable of balancing clinical and operational responsibilities in a dynamic rural environment.
You will bring:
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Demonstrated leadership experience within a perioperative environment.
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Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
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Strong organisational and time management abilities.
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A commitment to quality improvement, patient safety and clinical excellence.
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The ability to mentor, support and develop nursing staff.
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Confidence using information technology and clinical systems.
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A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
Essential requirements:
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Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA.
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Demonstrated perioperative nursing experience.
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Demonstrated leadership or management experience within a healthcare setting.
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Working towards a relevant tertiary qualification in perioperative nursing.
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Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills.
Desirable
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Completed or currently undertaking GENCA – Fundamentals of Endoscope Reprocessing.
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Previous experience managing budgets, workforce planning and quality improvement initiatives.
What we can offer you:
✅ 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 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
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 permanent full or part time and 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
[email protected] for confidential support.
Need more information?
Click here for the Position Description
about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Nicole Briggenshaw on [email protected]
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. 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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