Clinical Nurse Specialist - Acute Pain Service at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Clinical Nurse Specialist – Acute Pain Service

Salary Band $116,040 - $127,674 + KiwiSaver

• Dunedin Hospital
• 0.5 FTE / 40 hours per fortnight 
• Parental leave cover until June 2027

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:

The Clinical Nurse Specialist role in the Acute Pain Service at Dunedin Hospital is an exciting and challenging opportunity to join a small team of clinical nurse specialists working together building on the current service to provide excellence in clinical care and quality improvement strategies to achieve the highest quality, patient centred service.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will promote quality nursing care through research-based practice and facilitate excellence in patient care and quality initiatives to continually improve patient outcomes and experiences with respect to Acute Pain. As well as relevant clinical experience, key to this position is proven relationship-building skills and teamwork to:

• Collaborate in a close-knit team of clinical nurse specialists
• Continue collegial relationships with the Anaesthetic team.
• Work collegially alongside ward multi-disciplinary teams and patients to facilitate care, educate and share specialist knowledge.
• Continue service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside a team of 2 other CNSs

The Acute Pain Service clinical nurse role is a busy, challenging and rewarding one that calls for someone willing to advocate for the provision of a safe service, best practice and promote continuous improvement activities to enhance the patient journey. 

About us

Te Whatu Ora - Southern has the largest geographical coverage of all the New Zealand regions, providing services to 350,000 people in diverse communities. We take pride in all the services we provide, and our aim is to improve, promote and protect the health of our region. We believe that our dedicated and passionate staff are a significant driving force behind the achievement of these standards, and we need more like-minded people to help us continue providing for our community.

About You

• A positive and confident Registered Nurse who has the drive and enthusiasm to motivate staff and engage them in their clinical development 
• Hold work rights as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role
• Experience in Post Anaesthetic Care (is an advantage but not essential)  and an interest in Acute Pain
• Have excellent communication and relationship building skills
• A post graduate diploma (or working towards).
• Have achieved Level 3 / 4 PDRP.

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.  

Salary Range

This role is covered by the terms and conditions of the CEA and the salary will be in accordance with the Pay Scale, between $ and $ p.a dependant on relevant experience.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 7 June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ben Kingsbury ben.kingsbury@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.