This is more than an ICU leadership role - it's an opportunity to lead the only Intensive Care Unit in CQHHS and influence the delivery of critical care across an entire region.

As Nurse Unit Manager, you'll work alongside the Medical Director to shape the future of the service, lead a highly skilled multidisciplinary team and drive innovation, education and clinical excellence within one of the region's most complex clinical settings.

You'll have the autonomy to make meaningful decisions, the opportunity to develop future critical care leaders and the ability to leave a lasting impact on patient outcomes. Think you’re up for the challenge? We need someone like you to step into a role with real influence, purpose and scope.

Job details

About us:

Join the only Intensive Care Service in Central Queensland, delivering advanced critical care to some of the region's most complex patients. Based in Rockhampton, the ICU provides high-level intensive care including mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy and invasive haemodynamic monitoring, often for extended periods.

As the major referral centre for the region, the team manages a diverse mix of adult and paediatric patients requiring close observation, advanced therapies and life-sustaining interventions. With the nearest tertiary ICUs located hundreds of kilometres away in Brisbane and Townsville, you'll play a key role in providing specialist critical care close to home while working within a highly skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team.

About the role:

• Partner with the Medical Director to shape the strategic direction, performance and future growth of a key regional critical care service supporting patients across a vast geographic catchment.
• Champion a culture where exceptional patient outcomes, clinical excellence and person-centred care go hand-in-hand, ensuring the highest standards are maintained in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.
• Take ownership of workforce capability, building and mentoring a skilled multidisciplinary team while driving education, succession planning and professional development across the unit.
• Operating at an advanced level of autonomy, you will influence decisions that extend beyond the bedside, managing significant operational and financial responsibilities while identifying opportunities for innovation, service improvement and smarter models of care.

About you:

• Mandatory: Current registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA/NMBA. Postgraduate qualifications in Critical Care Nursing (or progress towards one) will be highly regarded.
• You demonstrate extensive critical care experience with advanced clinical knowledge across adult and paediatric patient cohorts, including the ability to lead care delivery within a high-acuity intensive care environment.
• You have proven leadership capability with experience developing high-performing teams, managing workforce planning, rostering, budgets and resources, while maintaining exceptional standards of patient care.
• You are a strategic and innovative leader who champions evidence-based practice, quality improvement and clinical governance, with the ability to drive service development and positively influence patient and workforce outcomes.

What we offer:

Total remuneration value of up to $173,368 p.a. is comprised of:

• An hourly rate between $70.85 - $76.63 p.h.
• 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• 17.5% leave loading

Additional Benefits:

• Ongoing Professional Development and Education Opportunities
• Flexible Work-Life Balance and Variety
• Professional Development Allowance and Leave
• Generous Salary Sacrificing Options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discounted Private Health Insurance
• Fitness Passport

Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) requirements:

It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases as listed on the Role Description.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit the following:

• Your current CV or resume, including referees.
• A cover letter (1-2 pages) addressing how your experience, skills and values align with the key responsibilities and expectations outlined in the Role Description.
• Any additional forms / evidence as attached or listed on the Role Description.

For assistance:

1. Contact Recruitment.CentralQueensland@health.qld.gov.au
2. Quote the Job Ad Reference (JAR) RK6F686383

Applications close: Wednesday, 22 July 2026

#Rockhampton

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Microsoft Word (.doc) or PDF file types are supported. Files must be a maximum of 2MB each.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• RK6F686383 - Nurse Unit Manager (Intensive Care) (PDF)
  
  Information for Applicants (PDF)