Nurse Unit Manager - Orthonova (Orthopaedics/Sports Surgery)
$141,535Murdoch
About Orthonova
Orthonova is a collaboration between St John of God Health Care and a group of Perth’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and will deliver a superbly comfortable, individualised patient experience, underpinned by the highest standards of clinical quality and safety.
Opening in early 2027, the centre will set the standard for quality orthopaedic care, supported by strong surgeon engagement and world-leading technology. The vision is to build a unique centre which is the benchmark in expert, personalised orthopaedic care and education, and at the forefront of technology and sustainability in healthcare.
Once complete the centre will comprise of:
Four contemporary operating theatres
38 overnight beds
20 chair day procedure and day of surgery lounge
A dedicated entry and seamless support services integrated with St John of God Murdoch Hospital with the two hospitals connected via a linking bridge
The new contemporary facility will have a unique presence in the growing Murdoch precinct that will embody sustainability and technology while delivering an unmatched patient experience.
Your role
Step into a pivotal leadership role where clinical excellence, focussed education, operational performance, and patient-centred care come together in a premium hospital environment. As Nurse Unit Manager, you will lead and oversee our 38-bed inpatient unit, ensuring the delivery of exceptional care to orthopaedic and sports surgery patients along with leading the provision of quality departmental education . You will be accountable for driving patient safety, delivering targeted education and training, elevating quality of care and patient experience, and improving operational efficiency, while contributing to the achievement of the Directorate’s strategic priorities.
This role also plays a critical part in the establishment and launch of orthopaedic services within the unit. During the commissioning phase, you will lead service planning and readiness activities, including workforce development, process design, and integration with shared services to ensure the unit is fully prepared for safe and effective operation. Once operational, the focus shifts to leading day-to-day service delivery, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality orthopaedic ward care.
You will be instrumental in shaping a progressive, innovative, and boutique hospital experience, setting a high standard for excellence in orthopaedic nursing practice and patient-centred care. In addition, you will oversee effective resource management, support the development and growth of your team, and build strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.
This is a unique opportunity for an innovative and forward-thinking nurse leader to make a lasting impact from the ground up, establishing services, leading teams and delivering outstanding patient outcomes in a high-performing surgical environment.
The Position
Monitor standards of service and practice against benchmark targets, including nurse sensitive indicators, incident management system data, clinical indicator results and patient, doctor and caregiver satisfaction results. Where benchmarks are not met, design, implement and evaluate responses.
Lead and deliver targeted ward based education and development which is focussed on ensuring the highest standards of personalised orthopaedic care during rostered time which is dedicated to the delivery of education.
Support and participate in the ACHS accreditation process/regulatory assessments, as well as group-wide and local Quality and Clinical Risk Management programs.
Foster a clinical culture of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and improvement to improve patient outcomes and enhance patient experience.
Ensure that patients and consumers are actively involved in relevant planning and decision-making processes.
Work in a clinical capacity alongside your team, when required, to ensure the delivery of safe, person-centred care.
Ongoing financial management and monitoring of the service cost centre including productivity, activity and utilisation in line with budgetary parameters and performance targets.
Participate in the implementation and maintenance of a workforce model/model of care that enables quality of care to be maintained as well as implementing appropriate levels of workforce skills.
Review payroll and personnel data in relation to service/unit caregivers, managing absenteeism, agency utilisation, and leave entitlements to achieve departmental budget.
Prepare and implement, in conjunction with the General Manager and Finance, the annual Operational Plan/Management Plan for the service/unit.
Holding a current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse, you will possess recent experience working in an Orthopaedic Unit, with dedication to quality improvement and clinical education including knowledge of the NSQHS Standards and clinical risk management. You will have expertise in establishing, overseeing, and fulfilling annual and financial operational targets and benchmarks, additionally you will possess the knowledge and abilities to lead and support change management.
To be successful in this role, you will bring contemporary leadership experience as a Senior Nurse within an orthopaedic care setting. You will demonstrate sound clinical judgement and the ability to make informed decisions across clinical, education, managerial, and ethical domains, while fostering a positive, service-focused culture that strengthens collaboration across medical, nursing, and wider healthcare teams.
You will also be skilled in managing risk, balancing competing priorities, and delivering outcomes within required timeframes, ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality patient care.
Above all, patients and people will be at the core of everything you do whilst committing to and supporting the Vision and Purpose of Orthonova.
We can offer you
Salary: $141,535, plus 12% superannuation
Permanent full-time position, working 38 hours per week
Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as:
Novated leasing
work related expenses
self-education and
additional superannuation
A healthy work-life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave & well-being programs
Access to gym membership, fitness and wellbeing benefits through Fitness Passport for you and your family.
Employee discount on St John of God Hospital & Medical Services and Private Health Insurance
Employee support through our dedicated free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Innovative Professional Development opportunities
Travel Green allowance. If you walk, carpool or use public transport you could be eligible for up to $1,500 per year
All applicants are asked to submit a current CV and covering letter (of no more than two (2) pages) demonstrating how you meet the above position requirements.
For enquiries contact Kimberley Montgomery, Commissioning Director – Orthonova, on View phone number on au.fitly.work.
Applications will be reviewed throughout the advertising period and interviews conducted regularly. If suitable applicants are identified advertisement may close prior to listed date. Apply today!
At St John of God Health Care, we celebrate diversity and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our commitment is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all children and vulnerable individuals in our care and proactively take steps to protect them from abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Our inclusive culture fosters an environment that is respectful and secure, welcoming and accessible, and unified through our diverse community.