Associate Charge Nurse Manager - Outpatients

Location:  Kenepuru and Wellington Regional Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, 1.0 FTE

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence. 

About the Role 

The Associate Charge Nurse Manager (ACNM) provides senior clinical and operational leadership within Outpatient Services, supporting the Charge Nurse Manager to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care across a wide range of specialties, including both elective and acute services.

A key focus of the role is the education and professional development of staff—fostering a culture of continuous learning, clinical excellence, and reflective practice. The ACNM works across multiple outpatient sites to coordinate First Specialist Assessments (FSAs) and Follow-Up (FU) appointments, ensuring alignment with government health targets and equity goals. This includes optimising patient flow, staffing, and supporting clinical teams to manage increasing service demands safely and efficiently.

The ACNM plays a vital role in quality improvement and change leadership, driving initiatives that enhance patient safety, reduce variation, and improve access to services. In partnership with the Charge Nurse Manager, the ACNM promotes a high-performing, accountable team culture through visible leadership, mentorship, and a focus on staff growth. The salary range for this role is MECA Step Grade 2 Step 1-3 (based on experience).

This role is central to delivering equitable, patient-centred care and ongoing service improvement in a dynamic and high-demand ambulatory care environment.

The Associate Charge Nurse Manager (ACNM) provides senior nursing leadership across both Wellington and Kenepuru sites. The ACNM is responsible for:

• Supporting daily clinical operations and ensuring appropriate staffing and resource allocation.
• Coordinating First Specialist Assessments (FSAs) and follow-up clinics to align with service targets and equity goals.
• Promoting clinical excellence, patient safety, and culturally responsive care.
• Leading quality improvement initiatives and embedding sustainable changes in care delivery.
• Educating, mentoring and supporting nursing staff through professional development, reflective practice, and on-the-floor leadership.
• Creating an inclusive team environment.

About the Team/Service/ Location 

The Outpatients team operates across both Kenepuru Community Hospital and Wellington Regional Hospital, providing high-quality ambulatory care to a diverse and growing patient population. Our team is made up of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, and Health Care Assistants, working together in a collaborative, inclusive, and culturally diverse environment communicating with many stakeholders throughout the hospital and Health New Zealand.

Each team member maintains a high level of autonomy in coordinating and managing their own clinics across a broad range of specialties. We are a crucial link in the patient journey—from initial community referral through to discharge—ensuring safe, timely, and effective care every step of the way. This role plays a critical part in fostering a high-performing team culture while helping to meet the increasing demands of outpatient services in a dynamic and evolving healthcare environment.

About you 

Ideally you are a confident nurse leader with experience in outpatient or ambulatory care, currently on the Expert or Senior PDRP and ideally holding or working towards a Master’s degree. You bring a patient-centred approach, strong clinical judgement, and a commitment to equity, excellence, and continuous improvement. However, this role also supports nurses ready to grow into leadership, offering mentorship, development, and increased responsibility.

You thrive in a dynamic environment, are adaptable to change, and have a talent for coordinating services across multiple sites. You’re known for your collaborative style, sound clinical judgement, and ability to mentor others through both day-to-day leadership and longer-term development. Your communication is clear and culturally responsive, and you lead by example—promoting a positive, accountable, and inclusive team culture. You’re passionate about improving systems, enhancing patient flow, and ensuring safe, high-quality care for all.

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 14th July 2025 . If you have any questions about the role, please contact Deb.Brodie@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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