Quality Assurance Lead at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Quality Assurance Lead – Palmerston North Hospital | Fixed-Term Full-Time (12 months)

A fantastic opportunity to step into a visible leadership role and make a meaningful impact across quality and patient safety.

Join our Quality and Patient Safety team and play a key role in strengthening clinical governance, improving patient outcomes, and supporting continuous quality improvement across the organisation.

Benefits

• An encouraging learning environment where you will continue to grow and be challenged
• A professional and supportive culture and team setting
• Fulfilling and challenging work with great lifestyle options
• Tailored wellness programmes

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As the Quality Assurance Lead, you will provide leadership to the Quality Assurance team and drive initiatives that strengthen quality, safety, and clinical governance systems across MidCentral.

This is a key leadership role where you will work closely with clinical and operational leaders to develop and implement quality assurance frameworks, support continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with statutory and best-practice standards. You will play an integral role in fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and patient-centred care across the organisation.

About you

You will bring:

• A clinical background (e.g., nursing, allied health, or medical)
• Experience in quality assurance, quality improvement, or clinical risk management
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to support and develop high-performing teams
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills
• Experience working with senior clinical and operational leaders and managing complex systems or change initiatives
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and culturally responsive practice

About the Team/Service

The Quality and Patient Safety team is focused on improving care delivery through strong clinical governance, robust quality systems, and a culture of continuous improvement. This team works collaboratively across services to support clinicians and leaders in embedding quality and safety into everyday practice

Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees.  We actively seek Māori kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

MidCentral region offers an excellent lifestyle for families with scenic spots for hiking and mountain-biking, great schools and tertiary institutions.  With the mountains, city and sea at your doorstep, you'll get to taste the best of both worlds – the perfect blend of rural and city living.

About the Location

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life.  It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

For more information on living and working in the Manawatu click here

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by the advertised date. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Barbara Ruby

Group Manager, Quality and Patient Safety

Email: Barbara.Ruby@midcentraldhb.govt.nz

Phone: (06) 350 8978

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.