Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Acute Inpatient Unit and Puawai Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Waikato Hospital
• Permanent 80 hours per fortnight
• Lead specialist nursing practice and make a meaningful impact on the quality of mental health care
• Join a service committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based and culturally safe care for tangata whaiora and whānau, while supporting the growth and development of our nursing workforce

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 a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within the Adult Acute Inpatient Unit or within the Puawai Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service, you will provide advanced nursing leadership, specialist assessment, intervention and coaching to ensure high-quality, evidence-based and culturally safe mental health care. You will work closely with clinical teams to support complex and acute presentations, guide best-practice nursing care, and strengthen workforce capability through coaching, mentoring and clinical leadership.

A key feature of this role is working collaboratively as part of a specialist leadership triad alongside an Advanced Allied Health Clinician and Advanced Cultural Support Specialist, and in partnership with Charge Nurse Managers. Together, you will contribute to integrated care planning, workforce development, quality improvement initiatives, and service-wide consistency in clinical and cultural practice.

You will support the embedding of the Waiora model of care within everyday practice, helping to integrate clinical excellence, recovery-focused approaches and culturally responsive care for tangata whaiora and whānau.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide advanced nursing assessment, formulation and intervention for people with complex or acute mental health presentations.
• Deliver expert clinical leadership and guidance to nursing staff, supporting consistent clinical decision-making and best practice.
• Coach, mentor and develop nursing staff to strengthen capability across all shifts.
• Lead the development and implementation of nursing pathways, protocols, guidelines and quality systems.
• Support acute care planning, risk assessment, escalation processes, service development and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

The Adult Acute Inpatient team and Puawai Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service provides assessment, treatment and support for people experiencing acute and forensic mental health needs. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to delivering recovery-focused, person-centred care that promotes wellbeing, equity and positive outcomes for tangata whaiora and whānau. The service fosters collaborative practice and values clinical excellence, cultural integrity and continuous improvement.

Waiora is the foundation, framework and model of care across Mental Health and Addictions Services. In 1989, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu gifted the name Waiora Waikato and its tikanga as a taonga to the Waikato Area Health Board. Waiora, meaning "the water of life", reflects the healing role of wai in sustaining and restoring ora (wellbeing). Today, Waiora continues to evolve by integrating clinical practice and mātauranga Māori, supporting wellbeing while acknowledging the values, identity and aspirations of our communities.

Through Waiora, we are committed to Māori-led approaches that place tangata whaiora and their whānau at the centre of care, ensuring cultural integrity, clinical excellence and equitable outcomes are embedded throughout our service.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Advanced nursing expertise within acute mental health services.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• A sound understanding of evidence-based practice, recovery models and quality improvement principles.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and services.
• A commitment to equity, cultural safety and achieving positive outcomes for tangata whaiora and whānau.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 31 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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