Specialty Clinical Nurse – Epilepsy Neurology

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, Part Time 0.7 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 

This role supports patients with epilepsy both newly diagnosed and for long-term management of this chronic condition. The Speciality Clinical Nurse in epilepsy runs education clinics for newly diagnosed patients to help them come to terms with their condition and to cover important safety issues relating to seizure and drug compliance to minimise the risk of sudden unexplained death due to seizure (SUPED).

The SCNS (Specialty Clinical Nurse) runs both face to face and telephone follow up calls to review drug compliance/ any issues with side effect/ monitory seizure frequency and any refer, as seen appropriate, to support services to deal with any issues socio-economic, psychological or other issues. They act as a resource for both the patients and primary care. SCNS is the first point of contact for patients living with epilepsy and is interface between neurology and primary care for complex epilepsy.

About the Team/Service Location 

The Neurology department provides a regional/tertiary service for complex neurological conditions for diagnosis and specialist management. It comprises a busy outpatient based service at Wellington Hospital but includes outreach clinics to regional hospitals. Inpatient care is provided for stroke and other neurology patients.

An important part of the Neurology service is our team of Specialty Clinical Nurse / Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner who provide support for both outpatient and inpatient services providing patient education and specialised patient focus expertise. Nursing staff also contribute to current research trial as required. 

In addition there are Neurophysiology services provided include EEGs, NCS, EMG, EP and testing of the vestibular system and Neuropsychology services and Liaison Psychiatry provide diagnostic support, advice and counselling for Wellington region and to tertiary referrals as required.

About you 

We are looking for someone to advocate for Patients living with Epilepsy to achieve best possible outcomes for this group of devise patients. We would prefer someone with some general Neurology experience and ideally some experience in Epilepsy.

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, 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.