Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) – Forensic Mental Health

About the role

The Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM) is a frontline nursing leadership position in Melbourne, working closely with the Unit Manager to deliver high-quality clinical care, operational leadership and workforce management. ANUMs coordinate shifts, support clinical governance, lead nursing teams and contribute to unit culture, quality improvement and service development. The advertised pay is $120,442.40 for ANUM Year 1 (RPN3 Year 3) and $124,498.40 for ANUM Year 2 (RPN3 Year 4).

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead clinical shifts
• Manage staffing and resources
• Support nursing workforce development and coach and mentor junior clinicians
• Drive quality and safety initiatives and maintain high standards of clinical governance
• Lead responses to clinical incidents and emergencies
• Build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams

Required profile

• Current AHPRA registration
• Minimum Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (or recognised equivalent)
• Eligibility to work in Australia and ability to meet police and security screening requirements
• Meet immunisation requirements
• Typically 3+ years of mental health nursing experience
• At least 2 years at senior clinician, team leader or acting ANUM level

Preferred experience

• Forensic mental health, acute inpatient psychiatry and secure mental health services
• Psychiatric intensive care and correctional health environments
• Clinical leadership within multidisciplinary teams

Ideal candidates inspire and develop nursing teams, balance clinical and operational priorities, navigate complex forensic and mental health presentations, drive positive unit culture and show sound judgement under pressure.