Nurse Unit Manager – Orthopaedics

Epworth HealthCare is Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private health care group, renowned for excellence in diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation. Epworth is an innovator in Australia’s health system, embracing the latest in evidence-based medicine to pioneer treatments and services for our patients. 

At Epworth, we are united in our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace—one that is culturally safe and respectful of the enduring cultural and spiritual connections of our people.

We value all differences, ensure equitable practices, and empower individuals to lead and learn inclusively in their everyday interactions. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.

Our values and purpose define Epworth's approach and delivery. We pride ourselves on communicating and delivering them in a real and meaningful way. Every Patient Matters.

Nurse Unit Manager – Orthopaedics | 5 Lee

• Permanent, full-time Nurse Unit Manager opportunity at Epworth Richmond
• Lead a 37-bed acute Orthopaedic surgical ward within one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest joint replacement services
• Shape a high-performing team and influence the delivery of exceptional Orthopaedic care

Lead where clinical excellence, experience and teamwork come together

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Nurse Unit Manager to lead 5 Lee, our 37-bed acute Orthopaedic surgical ward at Epworth Richmond.

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead within a significant Orthopaedic service, where our teams perform more than 4,000 knee and hip replacement surgeries each year and care for more than 1,100 Orthopaedic trauma patients.

5 Lee provides care across a diverse acute surgical caseload, including joint replacement and revision surgery, spinal and upper-limb procedures, fractures, Orthopaedic trauma and pre and post-operative recovery.

As Nurse Unit Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the culture, capability and performance of your unit, leading an experienced nursing workforce and working alongside highly skilled medical and allied health professionals to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients.

You’ll bring together clinical leadership, people leadership and operational management to create an environment where your team can thrive and every patient receives safe, individualised and exceptional care.

You will make an impact by:

• Providing visible, inspiring clinical and professional leadership to the 5 Lee team
• Driving exceptional patient care, experience, quality and clinical outcomes
• Leading the effective management of patient flow across a busy acute surgical environment
• Building, developing and retaining an engaged, capable and high-performing workforce
• Creating a culture that supports learning, professional development and continuous improvement
• Leading workforce planning, recruitment and retention while supporting the professional development of your team
• Managing financial performance, budgets, resources and operational priorities
• Promoting a strong culture of safety and supporting occupational health and safety requirements
• Building collaborative relationships with nursing, medical, allied health and other key stakeholders
• Supporting the broader goals and strategic priorities of Epworth HealthCare

About you

You’ll be an experienced nursing leader who brings energy, credibility and a genuine passion for developing people.

You’ll be confident balancing the clinical, operational and workforce priorities of a busy acute surgical ward while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, safety and exceptional patient care.

You will bring:

• Current nursing registration with AHPRA
• Demonstrated nursing leadership experience, ideally as a Nurse Unit Manager or Associate Nurse Unit Manager
• Strong acute surgical nursing experience, with Orthopaedic experience highly regarded
• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant clinical or leadership discipline, or progress towards postgraduate qualifications
• Contemporary knowledge of best practice in clinical nursing
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving high-quality clinical and patient outcomes
• The ability to inspire, engage and develop high-performing teams
• Strong relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders
• An understanding of workforce planning, financial management, budgets and effective resource utilisation
• The flexibility and adaptability to lead effectively within a dynamic acute healthcare environment

Position Description     Inherent Requirements

Grow your leadership career at Epworth

At Epworth, professional development extends beyond the ward.

Through the Brookes Academy, Epworth nurses and midwives have access to development pathways across clinical practice, leadership, education, research and innovation. Supported by the Epworth Medical Foundation, Academy programs and courses are provided free of charge to Epworth employees, supporting you to continue developing your leadership capability and expertise throughout your career.

About Epworth Richmond

Epworth Richmond is a fast-paced and dynamic teaching hospital where you’ll work alongside highly skilled practitioners across a broad range of clinical specialties.

You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your experience and grow your expertise within an organisation that continues to invest in its people, facilities, education and technology to support exceptional patient care.

Why Join Epworth?

At Epworth, it’s a community.

It’s the sense of belonging and being part of an organisation and a team that works to make sure that every patient matters. In addition to this, you will have access to:

• Salary package up to $15,900 pre-tax annually, leading to greater take home pay
• The largest educational scholarship program of its kind in Australia
• Reduced cost of health services for you and your family at Epworth

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. This includes First Nations peoples, people with disability, mature-age and young job seekers, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds. We are committed to providing an equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment experience for everyone.

If you need support during the application process or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to let us know what you need to participate fully and confidently. We understand that sharing your needs can feel daunting, so please know that any information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect.

Ready to lead the next chapter of Orthopaedic care?

If you’re an accomplished nursing leader looking for the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape the future of an established Orthopaedic unit and make a meaningful impact on patient care, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, click the I'm Interested button to attach your CV and cover letter.

For more information about the role, refer to the attached position description or contact talent@epworth.org.au or call (03) 9426 0606.

Please Note:  Applications are reviewed as received. Don’t wait—this role may be filled before the closing date.

Apply now… we’ve over 8,000 perspectives at Epworth and we’re ready to welcome yours!

It is a condition of employment with Epworth HealthCare, subject to reasonable exemptions, that you have had an annual Influenza vaccination, where this is required under Epworth policy.

As a child safe organisation, all successful applicants are required to satisfactorily clear a National Police Check (conducted by Epworth) and may be required to hold a valid employee Working with Children Check (provided by you).

At Epworth, we believe inclusion and diversity are essential to our culture and values. We focus on fairness and opportunity for all – across race, ability, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, cultures and beliefs – that reflect the communities we work in. At Epworth, we care.