Lead and coordinate safe and effective, hospital-wide nursing staffing

Respond proactively to staffing gaps, patient demand, skill mix operational priorities and service needs.

CRVCID 751379

This is a Fixed Term, Full Time position for 6 months, with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.

Applicants assessed as suitable through this process will be considered for other vacancies within the team (within the next 12 months).

About the Role  

Perth Children’s Hospital and Neonatology (PCHN) is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to join our team as Nurse Manager – Staffing. Based within our central Hospital Operations Centre, you will play a key role in the day-to-day management of nursing resources across our dynamic hospital environment, and work closely with nursing leadership, the Discharge Coordinator, ward and service managers and operational teams.

This is a unique opportunity for experienced nursing leaders to apply their skills across workforce and operational management within a dynamic hospital environment. The role provides broad exposure to hospital operations and the pressures across our health service, requiring sound judgement, confident decision-making and the ability to respond effectively to rapidly changing priorities while maintaining safe staffing and quality patient care.

You will lead and manage the casual and relief nursing workforce, overseeing daily staffing and resource allocation and responding to sick calls and staffing deficits.

Utilising live operational data, BRAG dashboards and workforce intelligence, you will identify staffing pressures and allocate skilled staff appropriately according to patient acuity, activity, skill mix, service requirements and changing clinical needs. In the longer term you will undertake workforce forecasting and monitor trends to support proactive workforce planning

You will also provide workforce data, hospital status reporting and strategic advice to Nursing Executive and senior leaders on workforce capacity, emerging staffing issues and resource requirements to support decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the casual and permanent relief nursing pools, including recruitment, onboarding, education and workforce development, (this includes a casual pool of approximately 180 Registered Nurses and Assistants in Nursing, together with a permanent relief pool of approximately 9 FTE).
• Working closely with ward and service managers to develop responsive short- and longer-term workforce solutions.
• Participating on the Nurse to Midwife Patient Ratio Governance Committee within PCHN.
• Monitoring mandatory competencies, education and professional requirements across the nursing workforce.
• Leading performance management, quality improvement, risk management and evidence-based practice initiatives.
• Building effective relationships with Workforce Directorate, Nurse West, clinical services and hospital operations teams.
• Contributing to governance committees and service-wide workforce initiatives.
• Monitoring agency nursing performance and addressing performance issues as required.
• Maintaining a strong focus on patient safety, quality, compliance and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

About You

If you are a nursing leader with a strong understanding of workforce management and the ability to analyse complex staffing information to develop real-time practical solutions, we encourage you to apply.

Applicants must be eligible for registration in the category of Registered Nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA).

About Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH): is Western Australia's specialist paediatric hospital and trauma centre, with 298 beds. Located at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, PCH offers primary care for severe medical cases and secondary services such as inpatient, outpatient, and day-stay care. Our purpose-built facility incorporates the latest evidence-based design principles to deliver optimal care to the community. Explore our services on the PCH About Us page for more information.

How to Apply 

We welcome your application via the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the bottom of this page. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation. Your application should contain the following:

• A current resume which summarises your experience and how you meet the position requirements, and
• The name, email and contact details of two professional referees who can be contacted to provide an employment reference, with at least one being a recent supervisor/line manager.

Within the application system you will be presented with the following questions in line with the attached Job Description Form. This question allows you to showcase your relevant skills and experiences in detail, with a generous word limit of 500 words for your response.

1. Please provide an example of how you have led and managed nursing workforce resources in a complex and changing clinical environment.

In your response, please outline:

• How you analysed the available information and determined staffing priorities;
• How you worked with clinical and operational stakeholders to implement a solution;
• How you balanced workforce availability, staff capability and patient safety.

1. Please provide an example of how you have led the management or improvement of a nursing workforce, staffing pool or team.

• What was the workforce issue or opportunity (for example staff capability, performance, engagement or workforce sustainability)
• How did you apply human resource principles, policies and/or workforce governance requirements
• And what was the outcome?

1. Please provide an example of a challenging leadership or workforce situation where you demonstrated the CAHS values in your approach and decision-making.

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form (available online at www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au). 

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Lizzy Kennedy (Coordinator of Nursing – Hospital Operations) on 08 6456 4543 or via email elizabeth.kennedy@health.wa.gov.au

If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Eligibility to apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia. 

Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, applicants found suitable for this position may be considered for other ‘similar’ vacancies within CAHS and/or the wider WA public sector. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

This position is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

About CAHS

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.

For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS’ services, please click here

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert.

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview.

You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED.