Job Description:

• Better and fairer care. Always.
• Exceptional leadership opportunity in critical care nursing
• Lead a dynamic Intensive Care Unit at one of Australia’s premier tertiary hospitals
• Better and fairer care. Always.

About Us

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service employing over 7,500 staff across 18 sites in Melbourne. Part of Australia’s largest not-for-profit Catholic health and aged care network, St Vincent’s Health Australia, we deliver a broad range of adult clinical services — including acute medical and surgical care, sub-acute care, rehabilitation, allied health, mental health, palliative care, correctional health, and community residential services.

Our mission is to provide high quality, efficient, and compassionate health services to the people of Victoria, inspired by the values of compassion, justice, integrity, and excellence. We continue the legacy of the Sisters of Charity, striving every day to create a fairer, more inclusive healthcare system.

The Opportunity

Nurse Unit Manager – Intensive Care Unit

Reports to: General Manager, Medicine, Emergency and Intensive Care

Join SVHM’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) — a 15-bed ICU and 4-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) — as Nurse Unit Manager (NUM). This critical leadership role offers the chance to guide a highly skilled multidisciplinary team delivering exceptional evidence-based care to complex tertiary referral patients.

You will be responsible for managing the professional standards of nursing practice within the unit, achieving key performance indicators including access targets, managing operational resources effectively, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compassionate care. You will liaise closely with the General Manager and Chief Nursing Officer and provide mentorship and leadership to nursing staff.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire nursing, medical, allied health, and administrative staff to deliver patient-centred care aligned with SVHM’s mission and values
• Drive active leadership in ICU and hospital-wide operations through the Daily Management System
• Ensure achievement of SVHM activity targets in line with Department of Health guidelines
• Support organisational change initiatives and promote a culture of continuous improvement
• Mentor, precept, and act as a clinical and professional role model
• Oversee day-to-day nursing staff management and clinical care standards, including annual competency programs
• Implement comprehensive education and training plans supporting postgraduate nursing programs
• Collaborate with medical staff to optimise patient flow and clinical outcomes
• Ensure timely follow-up of clinical incidents
• Develop, monitor and manage the ICU budget and provide regular financial updates to leadership
• Implement leave management strategies, oversee rostering and staff deployment in line with EBA requirements and budget constraints
• Manage recruitment, monitor vacancy rates, and participate in performance reviews and disciplinary processes
• Maintain nursing competency registers and promote cost-effective practices
• Ensure compliance with OH&S policies, fire training and emergency procedures
• Lead policy reviews and improvements to enhance workplace safety
• Encourage participation in mandatory training and professional development
• Proactively identify and address safety risks
• Ensure safe, high-quality clinical care is delivered in accordance with established procedures and scope of practice
• Promote a culture of learning and incident reporting
• Implement SVHM’s safety and clinical quality programs and collaborate on hospital-wide initiatives
• Facilitate patient-centred care by ensuring accessible information and supporting informed decision-making

About You

• You are a possession of a Nursing degree meeting AHPRA registration requirements, current condition-free AHPRA registration, and a postgraduate qualification in Critical Care Nursing.
• Previous experience as a Nurse Unit Manager in a clinical unit, ward, or department
• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in budget planning, preparation, and management
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification nursing experience (preferred)
• Diploma of Management or equivalent (preferred)
• Commitment to the values and health care philosophy of the Sisters of Charity and St Vincent’s Health Australia
• Adherence to the Hospital Code of Conduct
• High-level clinical nursing expertise
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate and guide multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated organisational and change management skills
• Experience in financial and project management
• Skilled in conflict management and negotiation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to the principles of the Patient Care Model
• Knowledge of and dedication to Continuous Quality Improvement
• Commitment to the St Vincent’s Occupational Health and Safety framework and policies
• Thorough understanding of professional nursing issues

Why Join St Vincent’s?

• Be part of a world-class tertiary hospital embedded in a strong faith-based mission
• Work in a supportive environment promoting professional growth and education
• Lead an engaged, multidisciplinary team dedicated to excellence in critical care
• Access to comprehensive employee benefits including salary packaging, wellness programs, and flexible work arrangements

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is conditional upon completion of all pre-employment checks including relevant immunisations as per SVHM Employee Health Screening and Immunisation Policy. You must also provide a current National Police Check.

Equal Opportunity

SVHM values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all applicants.

How to Apply

If this is the role for you, please hit the APPLY button now! Your application must include:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Have a Question and Want to Know More

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact Amber Mccullagh- SVHM General Manager Medicine and Emergency • Acute Services on 0433336615

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.
Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.
SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).
This position is subject to a Victorian government direction regarding vaccination against COVID-19. Successful applicants must meet these vaccination requirements. Please contact us if you would like to know more.

Closing Date:

30 August 2025 11:59pm

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at [email protected]

View Reconciliation Action Plan

Code of Conduct:

View Code of Conduct