Prehabilitation Nurse - Outpatients at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Whanganui, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Prehabilitation Nurse– Outpatients

Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora - Whanganui District

Outpatient Department, Clinical and Planned Care Services

Permanent Full-time

At Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora Whanganui, we work together to provide equitable, high-quality health care that supports the wellbeing of our communities. Our teams are united by a commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring every person receives compassionate, culturally responsive care.

We are excited to announce a newly established Prehabilitation Nurse role with our Outpatient Department – a role designed to transform the hospital surgical journey for patients through proactive, holistic preparation. Initially focused on patients undergoing Orthopaedic hip and knee replacement surgery, with the service phased to expand into supporting other specialties over time.

The Prehabilitation Nurse will play a supporting role in preparing patients for hip and knee joint replacement surgery by strengthening physical capability, and lifestyle changes, commenced in the Primary Health setting. This proactive approach helps reduce post-operative complications, shorten length of stay and optimise recovery, mobility, and quality of life.

You will partner with patients and their whanau to deliver targeted pre-surgery interventions, including:

• Montioring of existing Exercise preparation for hip and knee replacement
• Monitoring nutrition and weight management
• Education to support realistic expectations and self-management

A key part of this role is end-to-end case management of the prehabilitation pathway, including:

• Coordinating and completing prehabilitation assessments
• Supporting patient-centred goals aligned with surgical outcomes
• Coaching patient to maintain progression until surgery
• Working with collaboratively with colleagues, Allied Health, and Primary care
• Ensuring clear communication and continuity across specialties

As the prehabilitation service grows, this role will evolve to include support for additional surgical specialities, offering opportunities for innovations and service development.

What we are looking for:

• Current Nursing Council of NZ registration with valid practising certificate
• Commitment to equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and culturally safe practice
• Minimum 3 years perioperative, surgical, or long-term conditions nursing, with at least two years consolidated practice in New Zealand.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Commitment to patient-centred care, team culture and service improvement.

Desired:

• Post graduate study in nursing or health science or willingness to commit to same.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary care and navigating community/primary care interfaces
• Demonstrated skills in behaviour change (i.e., smoking cessation, weight management)

You'll become part of a support Outpatient team and have the chance to contribute to meaningful service improvements. Your work will directly enhance patient outcomes.

If your passionate about improving surgical outcomes and excited to help develop a leading prehabilitation service for patients, we would love to hear from you.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for all New Zealanders. We value a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome applications from Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply, please click Apply Now and submit your application through our online careers portal by the close date. For questions about the role, contact jobs@wdhb.org.nz 

We may review applications as they are received and progress suitable candidates before the closing date.