Nurse Unit Manager – Adult Acute Mental Health Unit

• Permanent Full Time, 80 hours per fortnight

• Located in: Peninsula University Hospital, Frankston
• Classification: Registered Psychiatric Nurse Grade 5 NUM level 2 or 3 (AG11 or AG12*) plus super 

Bayside Health is a public health service delivering high-quality care across every stage of life for close to 1.2 million people living in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Koo Wee Rup, Bass Coast and Southern Gippsland. 

We have more than 15 main sites, including hospitals, centres and clinics that provide comprehensive care from welcoming newborns to supporting older people and a full range of services in between.  

More than 22,000 dedicated staff are focused on providing exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, compassion, and a commitment to continuous growth. Education and training are central to staff development as we encourage all employees to strive and thrive.  

The Team & Role 

Lead a contemporary mental health service in the new Peninsula University Hospital and help shape a culture of clinical excellence, collaboration and exceptional consumer care.

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced mental health nursing leader to join Peninsula Care Group as Nurse Unit Manager of the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit at Peninsula University Hospital.

The Adult Acute Mental Health Unit comprises 32 beds, including 24 low dependency acute mental health beds and an 8-bed intensive care area. You will lead a diverse multidisciplinary team across nursing, allied health, lived experience, administration and support services, creating an environment where our people are supported to deliver safe, personal, effective and connected care.

As Nurse Unit Manager, you will provide strategic, operational, professional and clinical leadership for the unit, with accountability for its overall clinical and operational performance. You will have the opportunity to shape team culture, develop our workforce and influence how contemporary acute mental health care is delivered within our new hospital environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strong clinical, professional and operational leadership to the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit.
• Building, developing and supporting a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• Leading clinical governance, consumer safety, quality improvement and risk management within the unit.
• Fostering a positive culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Developing staff capability and supporting excellence in clinical practice.
• Managing workforce requirements, budgets, targets and key performance indicators.
• Supporting effective access to clinical services while ensuring human and financial resources are managed effectively.
• Working collaboratively with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams to continually improve consumer outcomes and service delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established or emerging senior mental health leader who wants to make a genuine impact on their team, service and the experience of consumers and families at Peninsula University Hospital.

Please click here to see the Position Description. 

Skills & Experience Required 

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA and a postgraduate qualification in mental health nursing
• Minimum five years' mental health nursing experience, with demonstrated leadership or management experience, preferably within an acute public mental health setting.
• Advanced leadership capability, with demonstrated experience leading teams in complex environments and effectively managing workforce and performance matters.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with people with living and lived experience, multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Demonstrated initiative, innovation and ability to contribute to service development and continuous improvement, supported by evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Ability to take a whole-of-organisation perspective, collaborate across services and contribute to broader organisational priorities.

 Benefits  

• Step into state-of-the-art facilities at the new Peninsula University Hospital
• Shape the future of mental health care with the opportunity to influence culture, models of care and service development
• Lead a diverse multidisciplinary team across nursing, allied health, lived experience and support services
• Make a meaningful impact on the experience and outcomes of consumers, families and carers
• Grow your mental health leadership career through high-quality professional development, education and training opportunities
• Work in a service committed to contemporary mental health practice, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Feel supported in your wellbeing with access to our holistic Employee Assistance Program
• Stay fit with Fitness Passport, providing access to a broad network of participating gyms
• Boost your take-home pay with generous salary packaging & novated leasing
• Take advantage of low-cost onsite parking

  Next Steps 

For role specific information, please contact Lisa Gill at lgill@phcn.vic.gov.au 

If you experience any issues signing in or registering, please feel welcome to contact nursing recruitment team at 9784 1189. 

The role ceases advertising on the 20th October 2026

Please note that applications will be considered upon receipt and that this job posting may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We kindly ask that all applications be submitted through the advertised application link, as applications received via email are unable to be progressed. 

Thank you for your interest in this role. Bayside Health (Peninsula Health Care Group) is regularly advertising positions across the health service so please take the time to review other relevant opportunities by going to https://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/careers/ 

   
Additional Information 

Bayside Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We encourage applications from individuals from all cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We also provide a safe and supportive workplace for people with all abilities.    

To find out more about our recruitment processes, compliance obligations and to prepare your application to join our team please visit: https://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/careers/working-preparing-employment/    

*Please refer to Victorian Public Mental Health Services Agreement 2024 – 2028 salary circular for salary range. Sub-grading will be based on years of experience.  For further information on salary range classifications and grading please refer to the following page: https://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/careers/working-with-us/salary-rates/ 

It is strongly recommended that individuals in this role remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.   

Join Bayside Health and help us to deliver healthy lives for everyone, through sustainable, innovative, compassionate care.