We have a very exciting role in a prestigious Melbourne hospital. The Associate Nurse Unit Manager/Associate Midwife Manager uses clinical knowledge and management experience and skills to provide leadership and operational direction to their ward/unit/department. They support the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager with accountability for the delivery of nursing care within the defined scope of practice, outcomes of patient care delivery, quality and safety, professional development of staff and the efficient and effective management of human, financial and material resources within the Delegation of Authority.

Reporting directly to the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager, you will be required to maintain a close collaborative working relationship with the clinical leadership team and to particilate in professional development programmes.

Role and responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Be the first point of contact for staff (after hours and on weekends and in the absence of the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager) to report risk and escalate accordingly
• Manage patient complaints and concerns in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team according to hospital policy, when the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager is unavailable
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of patient care, communicating and escalating issues to appropriate staff as per hospital policy and ensuring follow up
• Provide support and guidance to staff when required to assist in problem solving
• Use clinical knowledge, experience and skills to provide leadership and operational direction for his/her clinical speciality and be decisive, inclusive and responsive in decision making
• Develop respectful professional relationships with key medical, allied health, pharmacy, administrative, domestic and catering staff, as well members of the patient and family register, volunteers and other key support services
• Act as a clinical staff preceptor for staff when required
• Support and promote the services specific continuous quality improvement program
• Ensure hospital policies, procedures and protocols are implemented and monitored to support and improve practice outcomes.

Operational responsibilities

• Manage daily staffing and bed flow according to the specific needs of the patients, the organisation and the skills and experience of the staff
• Act as the emergency response coordinator according to local and organisational policy, in their local area
• Delegate patient care appropriately by ensuring that staff are working within scope of practice and are credentialed to work within the unit/area speciality (if necessary)
• Ensure equipment and supplies are used efficiently, stocks are maintained and repairs are effected promptly
• Hold accountability for the ward when the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager is not present
• Hold accountability for delegated portfolios of the ward/unit
• Manage staff performance and ensure skills development and performance review, as directed by the Nurse Manager/Maternity Services Manager
• Be accountable for the efficient utilisation of human and material resources
• Contribute to the bed management process with an organisational view, maintaining the aim of allocation of the right patient to the right bed at the right time

Resource Management

• Adhere to the hospital codes of professional conduct, code of ethics, standards of practice and competencies, Mission, Values and Vision, and the Behaviours that Matter

Professional Development

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the achievement of professional expertise for his/herself and direct reports through:

• Maintenance of ongoing personal professional development/ continuing education
• Personal application of the hospital performance management framework
• Identifying, encouraging and monitoring the continuing development of others within a learning culture.

Qualification and education requirements

• A minimum of three years' experience at a clinical standard appropriate to the area of appointment
• Registered with APHRA as a Registered Nurse/Midwife
• You must hold, or be working towards, a Postgraduate certificate in the area of expertise or nursing/midwifery
• Working with children check

Benefits

• Sponshorship package
• Relocation package
• Career progression
• Career development and training
• Salary and conditions in accordance with the Employer Contract of Employment/ Employment Agreement