Registered Nurse - Postnatal Services
Step into a rewarding role where your expertise in postnatal and lactation care directly supports mothers, newborns, and families during the earliest and most impactful days of parenthood.
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time Opportunities (Until January 2027)
Position Classification: Registered Nurse
Remuneration: $37.48 - $52.62 Per Hour + 12% Super + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ631225
Location: John Hunter Hospital | Awabakal Country
Applications Close: Sunday, 15th March 2026
To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
Where You’ll Be Working
Our 32-bed Postnatal Ward is a dynamic and supportive unit dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to women, newborns, and their families during the early days of parenthood.
You’ll work alongside experienced midwives, medical officers, allied health professionals, Assistants in Midwifery (AIMs), and student midwives in a genuinely collaborative multidisciplinary environment. While we are a busy and fast-paced ward with a diverse maternity caseload, our greatest strength is our culture.
Staff consistently describe our team as positive, respectful, and supportive. We value each other’s skills and experience, speak up for safety, and step in to help when needed. It’s a workplace where your expertise - particularly in lactation and newborn care - is recognised and strengthened through teamwork.
About the Role
As a Registered Nurse on our Postnatal Ward, you’ll play a vital role in supporting mothers and newborns through one of life’s most significant transitions.
Working across a 24/7 rotating roster, you will:
- Provide hands-on postnatal care and newborn assessments
- Deliver breastfeeding and lactation support to build confidence before discharge
- Provide education and guidance to families on newborn care and recovery
- Collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, family-centred care
You will receive a structured orientation tailored to your experience, including a supported supernumerary shift, introduction to ward workflows and escalation pathways, shadowing experienced midwives, and guided practice in breastfeeding support and newborn care. Ongoing learning is embedded in our ward culture, with regular opportunities to strengthen your clinical skills through teamwork and shared knowledge.
No two shifts are the same. Each day brings new teaching moments, clinical challenges, and opportunities to further develop your practice in postnatal and infant care.
About You
We are seeking Registered Nurses who are passionate about postnatal care and confident in supporting breastfeeding families.
You will bring:
- Current registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse with recent clinical practice in a hospital setting
- Qualification in breastfeeding support (such as lactation education or breastfeeding counselling) and/or a strong interest in lactation is highly desirable (IBCLC certification preferred)
- Strong knowledge and experience in lactation and newborn care
- Confidence in newborn assessments and postnatal education
- A positive, adaptable, and team-focused approach
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
- A genuine commitment to compassionate, family-centred care
The Perks
At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:
✅Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
✅Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
✅4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
✅6 weeks annual leave (for eligible full-time nurses)
✅Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
✅Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
✅Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
✅Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Wendy Tsang Chow Chang on Wendy.Tsang@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full and part time vacancies.
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