Rural Nurse Specialist | West Coast

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 Rural Nurse Specialist (RNS) delivers a holistic, culturally appropriate, and cost-effective nurse-led Primary Health Care Service to residents and non-residents within the West Coast area. This role supports the delivery of high-quality, equitable healthcare and operates across rural clinics, schools, and community settings.

The RNS is pivotal in providing advanced nursing care, leading healthcare initiatives, and enabling sustainable health service integration, while honouring cultural diversity and addressing health inequities.

Key Responsibilities

• Culturally Competent Care :
• Provide healthcare services that prioritize the needs of Māori as tangata whenua to achieve equity in health outcomes.
• Collaborate with local iwi and Māori health teams to develop strategies for improving health outcomes.
• Leadership and Collaboration :
• Role model professional behaviours and support team development.
• Partner with community stakeholders, educators, and interprofessional teams to address unmet health needs, especially in schools.
• Advanced Clinical Care :
• Deliver comprehensive assessments, diagnostic inquiries, planning, interventions, and evaluations.
• Provide emergency care adhering to P.R.I.M.E. protocols and manage chronic, rehabilitative, and palliative care services in the community.
• Health Promotion :
• Facilitate health education for children and families through Well Child / Tamariki Ora checks, school health clinics, and immunization programs.
• Engage in community-driven health promotion initiatives aligned with the Ottawa Charter and Treaty of Waitangi.

About the Team / Service / Location

Each Rural Nurse Specialist clinic is unique and provides health services to the community that they serve. The areas that you would spend time in include the three northern sites; Karamea, Ngakawau and Reefton; Moana located centrally; and the five Southern sites; Hari Hari, Whataroa, Franz, Fox, and Haast. The geographical distance from Karamea to Haast is 510km, but the distance each RNS covers differs depending on location. Working as an RNS within all the clinics, you will be the first ‘port of call’ in many cases for both the residents and tourists travelling through the area. You will provide clinic-based services during the day – mainly primary care, district nursing and ‘on-call’ services as per a roster. As an RNS you will use your assessment skills and experience to provide primary and emergency care, with the support from the wider team, a system of standing Orders, and PRIME training.

About You

Qualifications and Experience

Essential :

• New Zealand Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Accident and Emergency, Community, or Primary Care settings.
• PRIME training certification or willingness to complete.
• Independent Vaccinator certification or commitment to attain.
• Full NZ driver’s license.
• Postgraduate Diploma or working towards it.
• Proven commitment to cultural safety and health equity.

Desirable :

• Experience in research, community consultation, and evaluation of service-related projects.
• Endorsement for RN prescribing or in progress.
• Familiarity with MedTech32 or Indici systems.
• Current professional portfolio aligned with the PDRP and / or Takarangi Cultural Competency Framework.

Working for 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.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Health NZ West Coast is situated on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is unmatched for the scale, diversity, and accessibility of its natural attractions, including rugged coastline, sandy beaches, rainforests, and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country. The region boasts robust tourism and primary production industries, which provide the backbone of the local economy. The town of Greymouth is central to Te Tai o Poutini West Coast and is located alongside the historically rich and picturesque Grey river.

Health NZ West Coast are proud of how we do things. We have a way of working that we consider unique. It's about trying new things, listening to ideas from wherever they come from and working together as one. We are passionate about attracting, recruiting, and retaining talented people – to become part of our team.

How to Apply

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.