The Mental Health Casual Pool provides flexible nursing coverage across a wide range of inpatient units and community-based mental health services throughout the Local Health District (LHD).

Our inpatient services are located at:

- Waratah
- Newcastle
- Maitland
- Morisset
- John Hunter
- Charlestown
- Taree
- Tamworth
- Armidale

In addition, community-based mental health services operate right across the LHD. Each service offers its own unique strengths, challenges, and learning opportunities. Whether you prefer to focus on a particular specialty or broaden your experience across multiple settings, you choose where and when you work. Opportunities also exist to work within and alongside the award-winning YAMHS Wiyiliin Ta Yimamulinbinkaan Aboriginal Mental Health Service.

Casual nursing offers genuine flexibility - allowing you to fit work around your lifestyle, not the other way around. With our diversity of locations, service types, and shift options, you can tailor your work to suit your skills, interests, and availability.

About the role

As a member of the Mental Health Casual Pool, you will:

- Deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centred care to people living with mental illness across various stages of their recovery journey
- Use strong communication and empathy to engage effectively with consumers, families, and carers
- Adapt your nursing practice to different settings and specialties, with care needs varying across inpatient and community environments
- Support consumers with complex medical needs, health promotion, relapse prevention, and recovery-focused care
- Access 8- or 10-hour shifts, available 7 days a week, depending on service requirements




- Choose shifts across the LHD at your discretion—work close to home or explore opportunities further afield
- Participate in community outreach roles where required, noting that some positions (particularly in rural areas) involve travel

About you

We are seeking nurses who:

- Are person-centred and value recovery-oriented mental health care
- Enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Are adaptable and willing to work across a variety of mental health roles and settings

Mental Health nursing experience or qualifications are highly desirable, however experienced nurses from all clinical backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Support & Development

Casual nursing staff are well supported through:

- A Casual Services Manager and dedicated vacancy management team
- Comprehensive orientation and mandatory training on commencement
- Access to a wide range of additional education, training, and courses via NSW Health
- On-ward and service-level support from mentors, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Clinical Nurse Educators
- A strong commitment to supporting nurses transitioning into mental health safely, confidently, and professionally

Requirements

- Current Authority to Practice as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA
- Able to work in Australia without visa sponsorship

What we can offer you

At Hunter New England Health enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

- Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
- Proximity to shopping and other services
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

📌 Casual Mental Health Nursing Positions (Newcastle)
🏢 Hunter New England Local Health District
📍 Newcastle