District Nurse Manager - Integrated Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs - Location Negotiable within the MNCLHD

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Nurse Manager Grade 5
Remuneration: $159,796.87 - $162,504.94
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ622237
Advertising Closes: 5 January 2026

Employment with Mid North Coast LHD requires candidates to hold a valid authority to work in Australia (Aust Work Rights Visa). 

About the Role

The IMHAOD District Nurse Manager, Inpatient Mental Health Services is a key leadership position responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight across all Mental Health Inpatient Units within the MNCLHD. This role drives excellence in governance and leads the delivery of key strategic, operational, and business objectives across the IMHAOD Directorate.

The District Nurse Manager will oversee human, financial, administrative, and clinical service functions within the District’s Mental Health Inpatient Services. A central component of the role is ensuring regular, systematic reviews of inpatient mental health operations, with a focus on:

• Ensuring compliance with relevant policies, plans, procedures, and governance frameworks
• Identifying risks and implementing effective controls and systems to mitigate them
• Monitoring progress toward strategic and operational goals, ensuring appropriate controls are in place, and evaluating performance outcomes

This position plays a critical role in shaping service quality, safety, and performance across the District’s inpatient mental health settings. The role reports directly to the Director of Integrated Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services.

This role is location negotiable within the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), with office locations available in both Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

About You

You are an experienced and highly capable nursing leader with current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA, supported by relevant postgraduate qualifications in clinical leadership or management and/or extensive experience across both clinical and managerial roles. Your background reflects a strong ability to lead complex services, drawing on a balance of professional study and practical expertise.

You bring proven experience in managing and prioritising resources efficiently within allocated budgets, ensuring high-quality service delivery while maintaining financial accountability.  You have a demonstrated ability to oversee and coordinate health services across a large and diverse geographic area, meeting timelines, achieving performance targets, and navigating operational challenges with confidence.  Your understanding of contemporary mental health practice is well developed, including the delivery of mental health services and the implementation of evidence-based models of care. As a leader, you have successfully managed large multidisciplinary teams, fostering a positive culture, building engagement, inspiring commitment, and developing capability across the workforce.

You possess highly developed written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to prepare briefs, models of care, and business plans, as well as collaborate, negotiate, and maintain strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders and teams. Your decision-making, organisational, and analytical abilities support you in navigating complex environments with sound judgment and clarity.  With proven experience in quality improvement and risk management, you are committed to driving safe, effective, and high-performing services.

Diversity and Inclusion lies at the heart of how we recruit

Mid North Coast Local Health District is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects and understands the community we serve. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels respected, valued and that they belong. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from candidates of all cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.

We encourage you to reach out if you require any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process to ensure you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Please contact our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager.

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive for Category A positions prior to offer. 

All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined under the General questions section at Occupational assessment screening and vaccination - FAQ

Salary will be accordance with NSW Health State Awards for the advertised classification/s.  These awards are available at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/conditions/pages/default.aspx.

Are you interested in moving to the Mid North Coast? Learn more at The Welcome Experience. A free service supporting businesses, essential workers and their families who are considering moving or have made the move to regional NSW.

A TALENT POOL MAY BE CREATED FOR FUTURE ROLES AND WILL REMAIN VALID FOR 18 MONTHS.