Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Care (NICU)

Employment Type: Fixed Term Part Time
Hours: 64 hours (0.84 EFT) per fortnight
Location: Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg

Employment Commencement Date: Monday 19th October 2026
Contact: Jemma Binney ([email protected]), Alanah Crowle ([email protected]), Tara West ([email protected]).

Applications close Friday 21st August at 5pm.

Where there’s life, there’s Mercy.
Where there’s care, there’s You.

Through the battles and the breakthroughs, we're there. Where will you be?

For over a century, our incredible teams have provided care for people when they need it most. Our people feel great pride in this, and they value the security and stability we offer. But it also means so much opportunity - to build on all that’s gone before, to grow your impact and gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Join us at Mercy Hospital, and help us deliver even greater outcomes for our patients, families, communities, and you.

Graduate Diploma in Neonatal Care (NICU)

• Undertake a paid supported Graduate Diploma in Neonatal Care (Neonatal Intensive Care) summer intake 2027
• Work at one of the leading NICUs in Australia for patient quality care and outcomes
• Flexible working options to accommodate work, university and work-life balance

About the Neonatal Services at Mercy Hospital for Women:

We are leaders in newborn intensive and special care in Australia. Our Neonatal Services, with 61 cots, cares for over 1500 newborns annually, making us one of Victoria's largest providers. We're renowned for delivering the highest quality care with exceptional patient outcomes.

Our Commitment to Excellence: 

As part of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network, we prioritise delivering the safest, highest-quality care with a strong focus on family-centred care. We collaborate closely with other newborn services in Australia and Worldwide to ensure the best quality care is being delivered.

A Collaborative Approach: 

Our strength lies in multidisciplinary teamwork, we have an open-plan unit that allows for collaboration and support at all times. We offer numerous opportunities for career growth in nursing, leadership, management and research. Working in conjunction with our Tertiary Maternity Service and the state's surgical centres, we provide immediate stabilisation and long-term care for newborns with complex conditions.

About the Role:

The Graduate Diploma in Neonatal Care is a fully paid employment model that will see you providing direct patient care to newborns born from 22weeks onwards with a wide range of conditions. 

Undertaken over16months, for the summer 2027 academic intake. You will find yourself learning through a variety of modalities – bedside teaching, weekly tutorials, and dedicated study days. An extensive clinical practice portfolio will support your learning as well as periods of supernumerary time as you transition from the Special Care Nursery to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  You will enrol into the Master of Nursing (Neonatal Care) course at our partner University, with the option of either exiting after the first year with a Graduate Diploma in Neonatal Care, or supportive continuation to complete the Masters over a further two years.

Summary of the role:

• Supportive learning environment with a specialist in-house neonatal education team 
• Fixed-term 16-month contract, 64-hours per fortnight, with an 8, 8, 10 roster schedule
• Located next to the Austin Precinct in Heidelberg, across the road from Heidelberg train station
• 48 hours paid Post-Graduate Study Leave per semester, plus entitled study leave as per the EBA
• Various career pathways and opportunities available within the Neonatal Services
• Opportunity for ongoing employment and further support to complete Master of Nursing (Neonatal Care)

About You:

We're seeking dedicated individuals who are passionate about neonatal care. You are a registered nurse with a commitment to delivering the best care to our tiniest patients and their families. Your communication skills, teamwork, and adaptability make you a valuable member of our multidisciplinary team. You're driven by a desire for professional growth and are ready to step into the dynamic world of neonatal care. 

Join us and advance your career in an environment that values innovation, patient-centered care, and unwavering quality. Contribute to our mission of making a difference in the lives of our tiniest patients and their families.

Ready to help us shape the future of healthcare?

Join us and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives - and your career.

Are you ready to apply for this role? Click Apply now

Please contact us if you would like to find out more or communicate any requirements to ensure we provide you with a fair and equitable interview and selection process.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples, traditional Custodians of the Land in which our Head Office is based, on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation and recognise their deep connections to the land, sea, and culture.

We extend this acknowledgment to the many Traditional Lands that we operate across Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

The team at Mercy Health is as wonderfully diverse as the patients, residents, clients and communities we support. We’re proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). Mercy Health strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, sexualities, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.