Associate Nurse Unit Manager - Anaesthetics/Post Anaesthetic Care
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Associate Nurse Unit Manager – Anaesthetics/PACU
Fixed-term, Part-Time Role – 68 Hours per Fortnight
OUR PATIENTS
Our Operating Suite delivers comprehensive care for patients undergoing complex cancer surgery, ranging from endoscopy to specialised robotic procedures and multi specialty cases.
We support a broad range of surgical specialties, including:
• Colorectal
• Upper gastrointestinal
• Hepatobiliary
• Breast
• Plastics and reconstruction
• Urology
• Melanoma and sarcoma
• Head and neck
• Gynaecology
Patients also have access to advanced intraoperative treatments including high dose brachytherapy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We proudly support patients from across Victoria, Australia, and New Zealand.
OUR TEAM
Our multidisciplinary surgical team is known for its strong culture of learning, collaboration, and professional support.
As a nurse in our unit, you will be supported by:
• A dedicated Clinical Nurse Educator
• Practice Development Nurses
• Associate Nurse Managers
• A team of Clinical Nurse Specialists
This network ensures you have the guidance and opportunities needed to grow your skills and progress your career.
OUR FACILITIES
Located on Level 6 at Peter Mac, our purpose built Operating Suite features:
• Eight modern operating theatres
• Twelve Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) bays
• Access to excellent food and coffee at multiple on site cafés
ANAESTHETICS & RECOVERY: WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Step into a dynamic, patient focused environment where every moment matters. Our Anaesthetic and Recovery Unit offers:
State of the art perioperative care
Experience a technologically advanced setting equipped with modern anaesthetic equipment and sophisticated monitoring systems designed to ensure safe, streamlined surgical care.
High acuity, fast paced nursing
Care for patients at their most vulnerable—from induction through to emergence—using your clinical judgement, assessment skills, and calm, confident practice.
Collaborative, multidisciplinary teamwork
Work closely with anaesthetists, surgeons, and allied health professionals who value communication, respect, and shared expertise.
Meaningful patient impact
Be a reassuring presence pre procedure and a skilled clinical support as patients wake, stabilise, and transition to the next phase of recovery.
THE OPPORTUNITY
When you join our team, you will receive a comprehensive and individually tailored orientation program designed to support your transition into peri anaesthesia nursing. This includes:
• Hospital and Nursing Orientation
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Training
• “Your Thoughts Matter” – SKINDEEP and Speaking Up for Safety Training
• Smart Moves – Clinical Manual Handling Training
• Supernumerary Clinical Shifts across Anaesthetics and Recovery
• Individualised clinical education and support aligned with your peri anaesthesia nursing experience
At Peter Mac, you will be part of one of Australia’s leading clinical cancer nursing education and research teams. Our Nursing Education Department offers a wide range of short courses, from introduction to cancer care to specialised programs in epidural and intrathecal infusion management, surgical oncology, chemotherapy, and an introduction to CAR T therapy.
The Peri anaesthesia Clinical Nurse Education team will also support and mentor you in pursuing postgraduate qualifications in peri anaesthesia and peri operative nursing.
In addition to extensive clinical learning opportunities, you will have access to our Compassion and Resilience Education (CARE) program—a full day course focused on wellbeing, resilience, and self care for nurses.
Applicants to this submit a CV and a cover letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile.
Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Yvonne Ballueer, Nurse Unit Manager / Phoebe Heppell, Acting Nurse Unit Manager
Contact Number: 03 8559 5730
Email: Yvonne.Ballueer@petermac.org & Phoebe.Heppell@petermac.org
Applications Close: 11:59PM Sunday 01 March 2026
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Position Summary
The Peter MacCallum Operating Suite is a dynamic and vibrant environment encompassing eight Operating Theatres and an extensive Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU). The unit provides comprehensive anaesthetic and surgical services for patients requiring surgery for cancer. Care is delivered through an integrated multidisciplinary approach, utilising purpose built, state of the art infrastructure. The operating theatres are integrated to support intraoperative radiotherapy, 2-D and 3-D laparoscopic equipment, and an established Di Vinci Robotic program.
The Anaesthetics/PACU Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) is a senior leadership position with considerable perioperative skills and experience. Utilising advanced perioperative knowledge, the Anaesthetics/PACU ANUM assists the Nurse Unit Manager in the overall clinical management of the Anaesthetic and PACU nursing staff. The Anaesthetics/PACU ANUM will support staff through clinical leadership, role modelling and mentorship strategies, whilst promoting personal and professional accountability for the Anaesthetic and PACU nursing staff. This position requires exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
The responsibilities of the Anaesthetics/PACU ANUM include:
• Coordinates the practice and workflow of Anaesthetic and PACU staff including management of daily activity and processes within PACU
• Clinically supports Anaesthetic and PACU staff as required across all operating theatres and PACU
• Acts as a resource for staff and other professionals within their specialty
• Build strong relationships with all stakeholders to ensure a collaborative team environment
• Collaborates with the Perioperative Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) and Practice Development Nurses (PDNs) to provide vital education and support for nursing staff, including participating in formal and informal educational programs
• Liaises with and collaborates with the Equipment Nurse regarding equipment requirements and coordinates the supply of non-stock specialist items
• Contribute to the orientation of new staff members by organising suitable preceptor/preceptee combinations
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of policies and procedures including implementation and evaluation
• Ensures high quality patient care is delivered according to ACORN standards of best practice and National Quality and Safety Standards
• Acts as a preceptor for Graduate Nurses, support staff and nursing students from affiliated colleges of nursing
• Manages and coordinates quality improvement and research projects, including auditing, within their specialty
• Participates in staff recruitment, which includes developing criteria for personnel selection and an involvement in personnel evaluation through interview and consideration of professional work histories
• Participates equally and fairly in on-call, including weekend on-call and overtime when required
Enterprise Agreement
Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024
Classification or Salary Range
RN ANUM - YW11 TO YW12
Immunisation Risk Category
Immunisation Category A
Key Relationships
| Internal |
• Anaesthetics/PACU Nurse Unit Manager |
| External |
• VCCC Facilities Management |
Skills
| Essential Requirements | • Registered Nurse with APHRA • A minimum of three years’ clinical Anaesthetics and/or PACU experience • Relevant post graduate qualifications in Anaesthetics and/or PACU nursing or equivalent • Demonstrated expertise in relevant clinical area • Strong desire to successfully enhance team performance and experience • Proven resource management capability • Excellent collaborative interpersonal skills with well-developed verbal and written communication skills • Proven ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team • Demonstrated commitment to excellence on patient care • Act as a professional role model • An understanding of, and experience with, developing evidence -based practice • Strong customer service skills, able to communicate effectively and respectfully with patients and staff • Demonstrated skills in the use of IT systems, including the use of Microsoft Office |
| Desirable Requirements | • Previous experience in a similar position • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing quality improvement initiatives, clinical policies and accreditation programs related to the NSQHS standards • Experience in conducting unit-based quality improvement activities • Evidence of experience in the design and implementation of an agreed departmental strategy • Member of relevant professional organisations (i.e., ACORN, VPNG, ACPAN) |
Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Management of patient care continuum- Strives to achieve excellence in the management of patient care | •Promotes a multidisciplinary approach to care •Provide strong leadership across the perioperative service including Theatre, CSSD Technicians, and Equipment Nurse to ensure care delivered meets the needs of patients and their care givers. •Ensure compliance with Infection Prevention Practices. •Contributes to the development and maintenance of policies and procedures •Ensures high quality patient care is delivered according to ACORN standards of best practice and National Quality and Safety Standards •Creates opportunities for and actively enables a culture of collegiality for staff, peers, and colleagues. •Supports systems that allow for consistent evaluation of nursing care provided, e.g., Quality Assurance activities, peer review and case consultation • Contributes to the planning to continually improve patient experience and outcomes •Contributes to the implementation and evaluation of the Clinical Services Model of Care across the Operating Theatre Service in alignment with the Professional Practice Model for nursing and the organisational wide strategic directions •Supports and contributes to ongoing education and research programmes of Nursing Services and the broader organisation |
| 2. Resource Management | •Demonstrates leadership and responsible for personnel management with other members of the leadership team •Coordinates the practice and workflow of Anaesthetic and PACU staff •Acts as a resource and support person for staff and other professionals •Collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Educator and Practice Development Nurses to provide vital education and clinical support within their sub-speciality for nursing staff, including graduate nurses •Liaises with and collaborates with the Equipment Nurse regarding equipment requirements and coordinates the supply of non-stock specialist items •Coordinates the orientation of new staff members by organising suitable preceptor/preceptee combinations •Manages available resources efficiently •Supports senior staff to create a dynamic, positive learning culture for each staff member and to take constructive action if a discrepancy is recognised between actual performance, and performance requirement •Builds strong relationships with staff, offering expert guidance, and mentoring with an emphasis on safety •Builds strong and trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders •Participates in regularly scheduled staff meetings and conferences •OH&S: Utilising relevant legislation takes all reasonably practical steps to ensure the provision of a safe working environment for staff related incidents and acts where appropriate •EEO: Utilising relevant legislation, takes all reasonably practical steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace •Ensures that staff maintains working knowledge of emergency procedures and location of emergency equipment. •Participates in staff recruitment, which includes developing criteria for personnel selection and an involvement in personnel evaluation through interview and consideration of professional work histories |
Key Accountabilities (Contd..)
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 3. Professional Development and Clinical Practice | •Evidence of ongoing professional development. •Evidence of participation in unit activities. •Promotes a collegial working environment and works well as a team member. •Contributes to creating a working environment conducive to learning and professional development. •Responsible and accountable for maintaining own competencies including all mandatory competencies required within the Operating Suite •Participates in the development of formal and informal educational programs to assist nursing practice •Acts as a preceptor for Graduate Nurses, support staff and nursing students from affiliated colleges of nursing •Systematically evaluates own practice and identifies pertinent area of clinical practice, management, and education for improvement. •Participates every 12 months in a performance appraisal review •Participates equally and fairly in on-call and overtime when required |
| 4. Professional Leadership | •Evidence of collaborative practice with health care team. •Evidence of a customer focus e.g., proactive management of patient/staff complaints •Responsible for maintaining competencies and participating in those activities that contribute to the ongoing development of self, profession, and other health care team members •Demonstrates effective communication and conflict resolution skills, shows ability to offer and value constructive feedback •Encourages an environment that allows staff to acquire new skills, identify and develop new ideas and outcomes, and which ensures commitment to organisational goals •Ensures all staff across the Service adheres to the Nurses Code of Ethics and function within legal requirements of their scope of nursing practice •Consistently models behaviours that contribute to a culture of respect, excellence, compassion and innovation for patients, families, and multidisciplinary staff •Participates and demonstrates commitment to quality improvement activities. •Participates in staff meetings and offers suggestions for improvement of patient care, staff development or policy change. •Other tasks as directed by your manager |
| 5. Continuous Quality improvement and Research | •Complies with infection control policies and procedures 100% of the time. •Attends health and safety training on emergency procedures annually. •Adheres to established policies and procedures •Adheres to NSQHS and ACORN standards of practice •Establishes and enables a culture of performance improvement and evaluation, and develops and evaluates new initiatives to mitigate risk ensuring quality of care and excellent patient outcomes •Contributes to the preparation and successful participation of the Operating Theatres in accreditation activities •Contributes to the implementation of evidence-based practice |
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.