Nurse Unit Manager, Swanston Centre
Employment Type - Permanent Full Time
Hours per fortnight - 80
Job Category - Management - Line - Clinical
Req Id - 9791
- Unique opportunity to join the largest health care provider in the Geelong region
- Provide leadership to an established multidisciplinary team
- Permanent full-time opportunity
About the role
Barwon Health's Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services (MHDAS) is seeking an experienced, values-driven Nurse Unit Manager to lead the Swanston Centre, our acute mental health inpatient unit in Geelong. The Swanston Centre supports consumers experiencing acute mental illness, working closely with community teams, triage, PARC, the Emergency Department and medical staff across University Hospital Geelong to ensure those most in need have timely access to care.
Reporting to the Program Manager – Acute Intervention Services, you'll provide leadership and operational management to bring the Mental Health Directorate's contemporary vision for inpatient care to life. This means instilling a recovery-oriented, consumer-centred approach grounded in evidence-based multidisciplinary practice, including embedding our peer support program and the use of Advance Statements. You'll also hold a significant service-wide portfolio and play a key role in senior leadership forums across the Directorate.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the coordination of bed flow, actively engaging in hospital-wide demand management processes to prioritise access for consumers in greatest need.
- Drive continuous improvement, quality reporting, business planning and service development in partnership with the Program Manager – AIS.
- Take accountability for budget development, workforce planning and prudent resource management in line with relevant legislation and Department guidelines.
What We Are Looking For
You're an experienced mental health nursing leader who builds engaged teams, leads change with confidence and thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment. You bring a coaching leadership style, strong clinical credibility and a genuine commitment to recovery-oriented care.
Please note Barwon Health will only contact you via our official email and never use unconventional means, such as text messaging or other services
- Excellent working conditions and a strong sense of job satisfaction
- A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
- Extensive professional development opportunities
- Attractive salary packaging benefits
- Living expenses capped at $9,010
- Meals and entertainment capped at $2,650
For more information about working at Barwon Health, please click Here
Barwon Health is an inclusive and welcoming employer, committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We value and celebrate people of all genders, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, faiths, abilities, family structures, and identities, and encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Child Safety
We are strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards: About Child Safe Standards | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)
Additional information
If you need adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at peopleassist@barwonhealth.org.au
All appointments are subject to:
- Satisfactory Police Record Check
- Immunisation Status Clearance
- Working with Children Check (if applicable)
To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Please note: We do not accept resumes via email.
Barwon Health does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Candidates must apply directly through the official recruitment portal.
Contact person: Justine Maggs | Deputy Program Manager | AIS
Email: justine.maggs@barwonhealth.org.au
Phone: 0433847552
Application closing date: Wednesday 4, November 2026
Internal applicants:
If you are currently employed at Barwon Health, please ensure you sign in via the Employee Login on the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page through the intranet before applying.
Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date - early applications are encouraged.