Registered Nurse – Inpatient Wards

- Multiple permanent full-time and part-time opportunities | Hours negotiable

- RN Grade 2 Year 3 - 8 (YP4 - YP9), depending on experience

- $86,210 - $107,510 base (pro rata for part time) + salary packaging + super + applicable penalties and allowances

- Parkville | 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

Build your cancer nursing career at Peter Mac.

Join a world leader in cancer research, education and treatment. Work alongside specialist teams delivering innovative care in a purpose-built cancer centre, with opportunities to develop your skills and contribute to better outcomes for patients and families.

One application allows you to nominate your preferred areas, with appointment to an individual ward or unit.

Our clinical areas

- 1A, Palliative Care: Specialist symptom management, supportive and end-of-life care.

- 3A, Medical Oncology: Solid tumour treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, treatment complications and clinical trials.

- 5A, Haematology: Blood cancers, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.

- 6A, Surgical Oncology: Care before and after cancer surgery, including complex recovery, wound and pain management.

- Short Stay / DOSA: Admission assessment and preparation on the day of surgery, alongside postoperative care, recovery and discharge planning for short-stay surgical patients.

- Enhanced Care: Higher-acuity assessment, monitoring and support, particularly following complex surgery.

Your role

Provide evidence-based, patient-centred nursing care in partnership with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team. Contribute to safe clinical practice, quality improvement and the support and development of less experienced colleagues.

About you

You hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA, and bring acute nursing experience, sound clinical assessment skills and clear communication.

Oncology, haematology, surgical or palliative care experience is highly regarded, as are relevant postgraduate qualifications. Experienced acute nurses interested in cancer nursing are also encouraged to apply. Appointments will reflect clinical requirements, ward skill mix and transition support needs. Enhanced Care requires relevant higher-acuity experience.

What we offer

Salary packaging, ward orientation, PDN and nursing education support, specialist career development, excellent staff amenities, wellbeing programs and discounted onsite parking, subject to availability.

Peter Mac provides a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

- Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay

- Discounted health insurance and eye care

- A comprehensive health and wellbeing program

- Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists

- Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces

- Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities

- Five or six weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs

Inclusion and belonging

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

Join us!

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience, preferred clinical areas, preferred contracted hours and availability to commence.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Andrew Pilcher, Director Nursing Workforce , at [email protected] .

Applications close: 11.59pm Thursday 12th November 2026

Early applications are encouraged; interviews may commence before the closing date. Appointment is subject to meeting Peter Mac’s vaccination and pre-employment screening requirements.

Please refer to the position description for full requirements. Please feel welcome to contact us if you require adjustments to the recruitment process.

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Position Summary

The Registered Nurse upholds professional, organisational, legal and ethical standards; recognises and responds to deterioration; and supervises and delegates appropriately to Enrolled Nurses and Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing (RUSONs).

Clinical responsibilities reflect the assigned area. Requirements identified for a particular ward or unit apply only to appointments in that area. Relevant experience and competencies gained elsewhere will be recognised when assessing suitability. Required Peter Mac education and competency assessments must be completed before independently undertaking specialist treatments or procedures.

Unit Overview
•Ward 1A (Palliative Care): Specialist symptom management, supportive and end-of-life care, including psychosocial support and communication with patients, families and carers.

•Ward 3A (Medical Oncology): Care for patients with solid tumours involving bone and soft tissue, lung, gastrointestinal, skin, urological, gynaecological, head and neck, and neurological systems. Care includes anticancer therapies, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine treatments, palliative care and clinical trials, with support from the Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service.

•Ward 5A (Haematology): Care for patients with haematological malignancies and related blood disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, aplastic anaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and plasma cell disorders. Care includes chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, transfusion support and management of immunosuppression and treatment complications.

•Ward 6A (Surgical Oncology): Care before and after cancer surgery, including head and neck, colorectal, plastic and reconstructive, breast and other surgical oncology procedures. Care includes complex postoperative assessment, wound and drain management, flap monitoring, pain management, airway and stoma care.

•SSU/DOSA (Short Stay Unit / Day of Surgery Admission): Admission and preparation for surgery, short-stay postoperative care and management of acute oncology symptoms. Care includes preoperative safety checks, recovery assessment, symptom management, patient education and coordinated discharge planning.

•Enhanced Care Unit: Higher-acuity care requiring close observation, continuous cardiac and blood pressure monitoring, haemodynamic assessment, high-flow oxygen and complex infusions. Care may include prescribed vasopressors, PCA, epidurals and intrathecal opioids within unit protocols and demonstrated competence.

Enterprise Agreement

Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2024–2028

Classification or Salary Range

RN Grade 2 Year 3–8 / YP4–YP9

Immunisation Risk Category

Category A: Position involving direct patient contact and potential exposure to blood, body fluids or human tissue specimens during a normal working day. Employees must meet Peter Mac’s vaccination and screening requirements.

Key Relationships

Internal
•Nurse Unit Manager and Associate Nurse Unit Managers; Professional Development Nurse / Clinical Nurse Educator; nursing, medical, allied health and patient support staff; patients, families and carers.
•3A: Clinical trial teams and the Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service.
•Enhanced Care: ICU Outreach Nurses.

External
•Community health agencies and other providers involved in continuing care.
•Enhanced Care: Royal Melbourne Hospital Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department.

Education

Skills

Essential Criteria
•Commitment to Peter Mac’s organisational and nursing values.
•Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA.
•Minimum 12 months’ recent acute medical or surgical nursing experience post graduate year, subject to the area-specific requirements below.
•Sound clinical assessment, prioritisation and decision-making skills, including recognition and escalation of deterioration.
•A patient-focused and culturally safe approach to care.
•Effective communication and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
•Basic computer skills and demonstrated ability to use electronic health information systems.
•Commitment to continuing professional development, mandatory training and required clinical competencies.

Additional Essential Criteria SSU/DOSA Only
•Demonstrated ability to manage care in a fast-paced acute environment, including admission assessment, preparation for surgery, prioritisation and discharge planning.

Additional Essential Criteria ECU Only
•Minimum two years recent relevant acute nursing experience, including care of patients with higher-acuity needs.
•Demonstrated competence in CVAD, patient-controlled analgesia and epidural management, with completion of Peter Mac competency assessments before undertaking these activities independently.
•Ability to use clinical technology and participate in education supporting the delivery and development of enhanced care.

Desirable Criteria All Areas
•Relevant oncology, haematology, surgical, palliative care, short-stay or higher-acuity nursing experience.
•Postgraduate qualification relevant to the assigned area.
•Relevant clinical experience and competencies outlined below.
•Experience supporting students and less experienced colleagues.

Area-Specific Desirable Experience and Competencies
•1A: Complex symptom management, subcutaneous medicines, syringe drivers and end-of-life care.
•3A: Anticancer therapies, CVAD care, treatment toxicity management, clinical trials and patient education.
•5A: Haematology or medical oncology nursing; anticancer therapies, CVAD care, transfusions, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.
•6A: Surgical or medical oncology nursing; complex postoperative care, flap monitoring, PCA and epidurals, tracheostomy, laryngectomy and stoma care.
•SSU/DOSA: Oncology nursing, perioperative admission and short-stay care; IV cannulation, blood administration and CVAD management.
•Enhanced Care: Recent experience, demonstrated knowledge and expertise in ICU or HDU nursing, Postgraduate qualification in critical care nursing, Australian Resuscitation Council (or equivalent) Advanced Life Support Level 1, Blood and ketamine administration, tracheostomy and laryngectomy management, with required local assessments completed before independent practice.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators

Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
• Uses clinical judgement and the best available evidence to provide safe, person-centred nursing care.
• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care with patients and the multidisciplinary team from admission to discharge.
• Identifies risks, questions practice appropriately and contributes to improvement.

Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
• Builds respectful relationships with patients, families, carers and colleagues.
• Communicates clearly and coordinates care with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provides effective clinical handover and supports informed choices, dignity and cultural safety.

Maintains capability for practice
• Maintains registration, mandatory training and area-specific competencies within agreed timeframes.
• Recognises limitations, seeks support and raises concerns about capability or safety.
• Participates in professional development and performance review.
• Supports the development of colleagues and students.
• Provides information and education to support patients’ understanding and self-care.

Comprehensively conducts assessments
• Undertakes systematic assessment of physical, psychological, social and cultural needs.
• Recognises changes in condition, treatment complications and clinical deterioration.
• Analyses findings, documents assessments and communicates concerns promptly.
• Uses monitoring and assessment processes appropriate to the assigned area.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators

Develops a plan for nursing practice
• Develops and communicates individual care plans in partnership with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team.
• Establishes priorities addressing treatment, symptom management, recovery, goals of care and discharge.
• Reviews plans as the patient’s condition and preferences change.

Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
• Delivers care within scope and demonstrated competence.
• Applies medication safety, infection prevention and clinical risk management principles.
• Undertakes specialist treatments and procedures only when appropriately trained and authorised.
• Delegates and supervises care according to the role and competence of Enrolled Nurses and RUSONs.
• Maintains accurate, timely documentation and protects privacy and confidentiality.
• Escalates safety concerns and reports incidents through organisational processes.

Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
• Evaluates responses to care and treatment against agreed goals.
• Documents outcomes, communicates changes and revises care plans.
• Participates in clinical review and quality improvement activities.

Additional clinical responsibilities: Enhanced Care only
• Undertakes higher-acuity assessment, continuous cardiac and blood pressure monitoring, and haemodynamic assessment.
• Provides prescribed high-flow oxygen, complex fluid and medication infusions, and care associated with vasopressors, PCA, epidurals and intrathecal opioids, within unit protocols and demonstrated competence.
• Works with medical staff and ICU Outreach to respond to deterioration and coordinate escalation or transfer to Royal Melbourne Hospital services.
• Participates in education supporting clinical technology and developments in unit practice.

Organisational responsibilities: All areas
• Complies with Peter Mac policies, professional standards and safety and quality requirements.
• Maintains data integrity, privacy and confidentiality.
• Contributes to workplace safety, child safety and respectful behaviour.
• Maintains knowledge of emergency procedures and equipment.
• Participates in mandatory training and performance development.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.