Job Overview & Context

Mater Hospital Springfield is seeking applications for a Registered Nurse to step up into a Clinical Nurse – Day Surgery Unit, leave coverage opportunity from 12th October 2026 to 6th December 2026.

This is a senior clinical leadership opportunity within a high-performing Day Surgery Unit, where advanced assessment skills, strong clinical judgement and the ability to coordinate complex patient care are essential. Working in a growing, modern hospital environment, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring safe, high-quality recovery care while supporting operational excellence within the unit.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead the team by coordinating patient flow, prioritising care, and managing day-to-day staff allocations to ensure efficient unit operations.
• Develop and manage staff rosters to meet service demands while supporting work-life balance.
• Provide strong clinical leadership through coaching, mentoring, and role modelling best practices, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Serve as a clinical resource, offering expert guidance and support to the team.
• Mentor and support Registered and Enrolled Nurses to promote professional growth and high-quality patient care.
• Collaborate closely with Anaesthetists, Surgeons, and the multidisciplinary team to deliver coordinated and patient-centred care.
• Recognise and appropriately escalate clinical deterioration, utilising advanced clinical reasoning to ensure patient safety.
• Actively contribute to quality improvement initiatives, risk management, and compliance activities to maintain high standards of care.
• Support the operational leadership of the unit as delegated by the Nurse Unit Manager.
• Maintain rigorous standards of documentation, infection control, and clinical governance, monitoring compliance through regular audits.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Minimum three years’ experience in a Day Surgery Unit or a relevant acute perioperative specialty.
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant clinical specialty (postgraduate qualification highly rewarded or working towards).
• Understanding of professional standards, legislation and compliance requirements within acute healthcare.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated advanced clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to coordinate care in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Strong leadership capability with experience mentoring or supporting junior staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, quality improvement and safe clinical outcomes.

Salary, Benefits & Perks

• Salary range: $57.48 – $61.55 per hour plus superannuation.
• Access to not-for-profit salary packaging up to $15,900.
• Career growth opportunities across healthcare, corporate, research and leadership pathways.
• Professional development and learning through Mater Education, external partners and internal development programs.
• Health and wellbeing support, including EAP, pastoral care and discounted private health insurance.
• Fitness Passport access and a range of lifestyle, retail and travel discounts.
• Discounted parking and reduced prices at Mater cafés and coffee outlets.

About the Employer / Facility

Mater is Queensland’s largest not-for-profit network of public and private hospitals and healthcare services, bringing together world-class expertise across healthcare, education, fundraising & philanthropy and research. With more than 14,000 employees, 13 facilities and almost 700,000 patients cared for each year, we’re committed to empowering people to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing.

Location & Shift Details

Location: Springfield, Queensland. Fixed term leave coverage opportunity from 12th October 2026 to 6th December 2026.

How to Apply

Applications close Friday, 25th September 2026. Direct applications only. Please apply online through the provided application link.