About the role
Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg is seeking a dedicated and experienced Nurse Unit Manager to join our inpatient services. This is a permanent, full‑time position (38 hours per week) offering an exciting opportunity to provide strong clinical leadership, operational oversight and people management within our inpatient wards.
This role will be aligned to either the Surgical Ward or the Medical/Rehabilitation Ward, depending on the skills, experience and background of the successful applicant. We are open to appointing a NUM with a strong clinical foundation in either specialty and are committed to aligning leadership capability to the most suitable ward. The Nurse Unit Manager will lead a large multidisciplinary team, fostering a positive culture focused on safety, collaboration and exceptional patient care.
Mater Bundaberg inpatient department is a 59-bed facility comprising both surgical and medical/rehabilitation units. Our Surgical Ward manages a diverse range of cases including orthopaedics, gynaecology, general surgery, and ENT procedures. Our Medical/Rehabilitation Ward supports patients across the acute and sub-acute spectrum, providing comprehensive care tailored to individual recovery needs.
Salary Range: $71.42- $76.80 per hour (Nurse Unit Manager) plus superannuation and access to not-for-profit salary packaging up to $15,900 + access to many staff benefits!
What you’ll be doing
As the leader of this team, you will in collaboration with the General Manager set the direction for the department and be responsible for the clinical, resource management, education and material accountabilities of nursing within this area. Additionally, in conjunction with the medical leadership of the service, you will ensure the provision of best practice, quality and safety aspects of patient care.
Other duties and responsibilities include:
- Manage day-to-day operations, staffing, rosters and resource allocation
- Provide coaching, mentoring and performance development for nursing team members
- Oversee recruitment, induction, training and workforce planning
- Engagement with stakeholders in other departments to ensure the highest quality patient care, that services are efficient, that patient safety is optimized, and to resolve barriers to patient flow.
- Team management, including performance management and compliance with Human Resources processes
- Delivery of work against relevant timeframes
About you
As an experienced leader you will drive innovation in your field; using evidence-based research to suggest new ways of doing things and take a positive and adaptive approach to embedding change.
Other skills and responsibilities include:
- Extensive leadership experience in an acute care setting
- Current AHPRA Nursing registration
- Advanced Life Support certification (preferred)
- Strong VMO communication skills.
- Innovative thinking mindset.
- A genuine commitment to continuous improvement and patient-centred care.
- Adaptable to changing healthcare landscape.
- Broad understanding of the private health sector
- Ability to demonstrate strong capability in leading both the clinical and commercial aspects of a patient centred service
- High level communication skills within a multidisciplinary environment
- Demonstrated competence in cost centre management
- Willingness to role model and promote the Mater values
Applications close on Thursday 7th May 2026. Please note, we may contact applicants prior to the closing date, please do not hesitate to APPLY NOW!
Direct applications only — we are not engaging recruitment agencies at this time. All successful candidates may be required to complete pre‑employment checks (including criminal history, working rights, medical and working with children checks).
Mater offers a safe, supportive, flexible and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Visit our Reconciliation webpage.
Mater ensures all children have an environment suitable for their safety and wellbeing through proper supervision and safeguarding practices.
