Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2
Lead the front door to community mental health and help shape timely, person-centred care.
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2
Remuneration: $124,565.90 - $128,661.92 + 12% Superannuation + Salary packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ682534
Location: Mater Mental Health Centre Waratah
Closing Date: Sunday 9th August 2026
About the Opportunity
An exciting opportunity is available for a Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2 to join the Greater Newcastle Mental Health Service (GNMHS) Intake Team. The Greater Newcastle Intake Team is a dynamic multidisciplinary service working across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie sites, providing timely psychiatric community intervention for adults across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Local Government Areas. As the first point of contact for many consumers, the Intake Team plays a critical role in providing comprehensive mental health assessment, triage, treatment planning and referral pathways. The service also supports consumers requiring specialist interventions, including perinatal mental health, youth engagement and eating disorder services. Through brief intervention, acute and rehabilitation care coordination, and recovery-focused programs, the team ensures consumers receive the right care at the right time. Working within this highly collaborative environment, you'll be encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development, with access to regular education sessions, My Health Learning courses and specialty training opportunities to further develop your leadership and clinical expertise.
What You Will Be Doing
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2, you will provide advanced clinical leadership within the Intake Team, supporting timely assessment, triage and service access while promoting high-quality, recovery-oriented mental health care.
In this role, you will:
- Provide advanced mental health assessment, triage and clinical decision-making for consumers accessing the service.
- Coordinate referrals into, within and out of the Greater Newcastle Mental Health Service.
- Provide clinical leadership, guidance and support to the multidisciplinary team.
- Assist with workload allocation, clinical formulation and team decision-making.
- Promote person-centred, family-inclusive and recovery-focused care.
- Escalate and manage complex service access issues where appropriate.
- Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and support the implementation of best practice.
- Work across the James Fletcher Hospital campus and Charlestown Mental Health Facility as required.
This role offers a high level of autonomy while providing opportunities to influence service delivery, drive innovation and support the ongoing development of the Intake Team.
About you
We're looking for an experienced Mental Health Registered Nurse who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about leading high-quality, person-centred mental health care.
Essential requirements:
Current Authority to Practice as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA with relevant post-registration qualifications and at least 3 years' experience working in their specified post-graduate qualification or such other qualifications or equivalent experience deemed appropriate by the public hospital or public health organisation.
Demonstrated experience in mental health nursing.
Eligibility for appointment as a Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2.
Current NSW Driver Licence.
Desirable Experience
Demonstrated experience in mental health nursing, with advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
The ability to prioritise competing demands and make timely, informed and confident clinical decisions.
Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to support and guide colleagues.
A collaborative approach while also being confident working autonomously.
A commitment to recovery-oriented, evidence-based and family-inclusive mental health practice.
A proactive approach to quality improvement, service development and clinical excellence.
What we can offer you:
Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development
Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
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
Additional Information
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.
An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
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 [email protected] for confidential support.
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 Kristy McNamara on [email protected]
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.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.
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.
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