Clinical Nurse Specialist - Cardiothoracic
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM CURRENT HEALTH NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYEES ONLY
Location: Wellington Regional Hospital
Contract: Permanent, Part Time (0.8 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 primary purpose of the role is to provide specialist nursing advice, care and expertise, both in delivering direct patient care and in supporting other staff caring for patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgery. The CNS practices with increased autonomy, by working at an advanced level within the RN scope of practice (Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa Nursing Council of New Zealand /NCNZ 2025). The focus is on assisting, directing and supporting patient care and whānau across the inpatient and outpatient settings. The CNS role supports excellence in practice through modelling expert clinical skills, promoting best practice, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and providing education. The CNS has an active role in the development and achievement of the strategic direction for the cardiothoracic service.
The CNS leads development and implementation of speciality specific pathways, protocols and guidelines, in accordance with relevant national and international standards and guidance. This includes evaluating standards of care, in line with research, policy and evidenced-based practice across a range of settings.
About the Team/Service/Location
The Cardiothoracic service provides tertiary level services to the Wellington District and wider central region including Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Mid Central, Wanganui and Wairarapa. Services are provided from Wellington Regional Hospital. . The service has strong links with regional cardiology, medical and respiratory services. Inpatient beds are provided for cardiothoracic patients in ward 6 South, Heart and Lung unit. Outpatient clinics are provided in the main outpatient unit.
About you
- Clinical Postgraduate (PG) Diploma with postgraduate clinical courses provide essential clinical knowledge for the CNS role. These are prerequisite courses to undertake a RN prescribing practicum.
- Current NCNZ Registered Nurse Annual Practicing Certificate.
- Clinical expertise and experience aligning with cardiothoracic, cardiac, cardiology, perioperative or surgical nursing practice. Note: NCNZ requirement for a minimum three years practice in the area CNS intend to prescribe (At least one year of the total practice must be in NZ or similar context.
- At Expert or Senior level in Professional Development Recognition Programme (PDRP) and committed to maintain Senior once appointed to position
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, facilitation and coaching skills
- Demonstrate initiative, motivation and a commitment to learning.
- Comprehensive understanding the NZ Health System including equity issues, professional leadership and emerging issues for the nursing profession
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 internal applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Deb.Brodie@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review internal applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.
Permanent/Part Time
Job no: NM336-26
Location: Wellington Hospital
Closing Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026