Registered Psychiatric Nurse / Associate Nurse Unit Manager (RPN2 & RPN3)
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Are you an experienced Registered Psychiatric Nurse looking to take the next step in your career, or an experienced mental health nurse ready to step into a leadership position?
We are seeking passionate and committed Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Associate Nurse Unit Managers to join a specialist mental health service in Melbourne.
This is an opportunity to work within a unique and highly specialised environment supporting consumers with complex mental health needs. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team delivering recovery-oriented, evidence-based care within a secure inpatient setting.
About the Role:
As a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, you will provide high-quality psychiatric nursing care while developing therapeutic relationships and supporting consumers throughout their recovery journey.
As an Associate Nurse Unit Manager, you will take on an additional leadership role, working closely with the Unit Manager to coordinate the nursing team, manage resources and support the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based care.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric nursing care to consumers with complex mental health needs.
- Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and contribute to individualised care and risk management plans.
- Act as a Primary Nurse for allocated consumers, coordinating care and supporting positive recovery outcomes.
- Develop and maintain therapeutic, professional and respectful relationships with consumers and their families/carers.
- Administer and monitor medications and provide appropriate education regarding prescribed treatments.
- Contribute to individual and group therapeutic programs.
- Utilise therapeutic communication, engagement, de-escalation and early intervention strategies.
- Support the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused environment.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, consumer consultants, peer workers, family/carer representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate and professional clinical documentation and communicate effectively with the wider clinical team.
- Integrate therapeutic and security practices within a high-security environment.
- Participate in patient escorts and maintain compliance with relevant security procedures.
- Support quality, safety, risk management and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participate in mandatory training, professional development and reflective practice.
- Provide preceptorship, education and support to student and developing nurses.
Associate Nurse Unit Manager Responsibilities – For those appointed at the leadership level, responsibilities will also include:
- Lead and coordinate the nursing team during shifts.
- Manage resources and support effective staffing and operational requirements.
- Coordinate responses to emergency situations.
- Support the Unit Manager with practice development and improvements to unit culture.
- Initiate and participate in unit projects, committees and service development activities.
- Promote the contribution of nursing across multidisciplinary teams.
- Provide clinical leadership, guidance and support to nursing staff.
- Contribute to the professional development and capability of nurses within the unit.
About You:
We are looking for nurses who are compassionate, resilient and committed to delivering person-centred, recovery-oriented mental health care.
You will ideally have:
- Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse.
- Relevant postgraduate qualifications in Mental Health Nursing, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience in mental health nursing.
- A strong commitment to consumer recovery and person-centred care.
- Sound knowledge of contemporary mental health nursing practices and relevant legislation.
- Experience undertaking comprehensive mental health assessments and developing, implementing and evaluating care plans.
- Strong therapeutic communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Sound clinical judgement, initiative and problem-solving skills.
- A commitment to quality, safety, professional standards and ongoing development.
For Associate Nurse Unit Manager opportunities, you will also demonstrate:
- Previous clinical leadership experience or the ability to lead a nursing team effectively.
- The ability to coordinate resources and manage competing priorities during a shift.
- Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
- A commitment to supporting the professional development of other nurses.
- Relevant postgraduate mental health nursing qualifications.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to build your career within a specialist area of mental health nursing where your skills and experience can make a genuine difference.
You will work alongside highly trained and supportive multidisciplinary teams and have access to ongoing education, professional development and opportunities to further develop your specialist clinical and leadership skills.
The service promotes recovery, compassion, collaboration, respect and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on person-centred and family/carer-inclusive care.
Apply now to take the next step in your mental health nursing career.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Darienne Anandappa on 0290243241 or darienne.anandappa@healthcareaustralia.com.au
Sounds like the role for you?
We'd love to hear from you, apply now and take the next step in your career!
