Organisation Overview

At St Catherine’s Wangaratta, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred residential aged care to the local community. Our mission is realised through the dedication of compassionate, skilled staff who uphold our values and standards every day.

Since February 2020, St Catherine’s has undergone extensive refurbishments, including the full upgrade of all resident rooms and staff amenities. These improvements ensure a modern, future-ready environment that supports the delivery of high-quality, best-practice aged care. These works continue today with the extension of the building frontage, which includes a new waiting reception area, cafe with outdoor alfresco and administration office spaces on the ground floor. The first floor will encompass a large open lounge area with outdoor terrace spaces and a hairdressing salon.

Position Summary

St Catherine’s is seeking an experienced and dedicated Director of Nursing (DON) to lead our clinical team and ensure the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care in line with the Aged Care Quality Standards and all applicable compliance and regulatory frameworks.

The Director of Nursing will play a pivotal leadership role, overseeing all aspects of clinical governance, staffing, compliance, care planning, and stakeholder engagement, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, dignity, and respect.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, manage and mentor the clinical and care teams to ensure high standards of nursing and personal care are maintained.

Oversee clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement activities across the service.

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Aged Care Quality Standards and AN-ACC funding model.

Monitor and review clinical systems, resident care plans, medication management, and infection control practices.

Coordinate effective rostering and workforce planning to ensure optimal staffing levels and skill mix.

Liaise with residents, families, health professionals, and external agencies to ensure positive care outcomes and service delivery.

Provide strategic leadership in accreditation preparation and performance audits.

Support the CEO and Committee of Management by contributing to strategic planning and operational reporting.

Demonstrated understanding of care plans, legislated care minutes and quality indicator reporting obligations.

Key Selection Criteria

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage staff through change with professionalism and empathy.

Proven ability to manage and maintain compliance with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Standards, compliance frameworks, AN-ACC funding, and clinical care standards.

Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate multidisciplinary teams in a values-driven environment.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a resident- and family-focused approach.

Experience in dementia care and managing complex behaviours, including a comprehensive lifestyle program that engages all residents.

Demonstrated experience in driving continuous quality improvement and successful accreditation outcomes.

Experience in developing and implementing policies in accordance with evolving aged care standards

High-level organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Advanced knowledge of clinical documentation systems and digital health platforms.

Previous experience in a clinical leadership or coordination role in residential aged care.

Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills.

Commitment to ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice.

Qualifications and Requirements

Essential:

Bachelor of Nursing with current registration through AHPRA.

Current National Police Check.

Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with aged care mandates.

Demonstrated commitment to resident-centred care.

Sound working knowledge of AN-ACC.

High-level leadership and team management capabilities.

Driver's License

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and SharePoint.

Desirable:

Membership or active participation in a relevant professional association (e.g., Royal College of Nursing Australia).

This role is also subject to Enterprise Agreement wage increases each year in August.

How to Apply

Position Descriptions are available at Reception:
📅 Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

For further enquiries or to apply, please submit your CV and contact details for two professional referees to:

Adrian Johnstone
Chief Executive Officer
📧 [email protected]
📞 (03) 5721 2243

🗓️ Applications close 4:00pm on Friday, August 8th, 2025.

Applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.