Patient Safety Advisor

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital (base location), Kenepuru and Hutt Hospital as required

Contract: Permanent, full-time

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 

We are looking for two Patient Safety Advisors to join our Patient Safety Team, reporting to the Quality & Patient Safety Manager. In this role you will be responsible for:

• Providing a high level of expertise in patient safety and quality advice
• Development of quality improvement and risk management capability in services
• Maintaining and strengthening the patient safety culture within the district
• Contributing to the overall patient safety and improvement programme

The key to success in this role is the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships between management and clinicians in achieving quality outcomes for patients and the efficient functioning of services. This role requires a relevant clinical background and experience in the areas of patient safety and quality.

The full salary range for this position is $90,000 - $119,000.

About the team

The primary purpose of the Patient Safety Team is to improve patient safety and system resilience, reducing the risk of harm to consumers and their families/whānau that is associated with healthcare. Our team is part of the Centre of Clinical Excellence, and our strategic aim is to lead the design and delivery of programmes that increase staff capability, patient safety and quality of care.

The Patient Safety Team is reactive to the needs of the Centre of Clinical Excellence and the district, working collaboratively together to transform quality of care and lead purposeful innovation in partnership with all.

About you 

We are looking for applications from health professionals with a relevant qualification who are motivated by the opportunity to support staff to deliver the safest possible health care to all our consumers. It is important you have an understanding of health inequities within New Zealand and be committed to enacting the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and prioritising pro-equity solutions. 

Other skills and experience we are looking for include:

• Excellent teamwork, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Self-determined, proactive, and flexible - able to work in an uncertain environment with changing priorities.
• An understanding of reportable and adverse events, patient safety and quality concepts, and equity.
• The ability to procure, analyse, and use data to support the team's work.
• Understand improvement methodology and the principles of project management.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to problem solve to get the job done. 

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 8th June. If you have any questions about the role, please contact lucy.britland@tewhatuora.govt.nz 

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