Clinical Nurse Manager - Acute Stabilisation Unit

Canterbury District Health Board; Westport; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora invites applications for a Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) at the Acute Stabilisation Unit Te Rau Kawakawa. You will coordinate nursing services in a 24/7 unit, ensuring high-quality, patient-centred care while managing resources responsibly.

The role focuses on leadership, staff development, and culturally safe practice aligned with Treaty principles. Nurses with management experience are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current NZ Nursing Council Practising Certificate.
• 5+ years post-registration nursing experience, with prior management experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills; ability to manage resources and align team goals with strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage nursing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Promote contemporary, patient-centred nursing practices in alignment with organizational goals and the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Ensure legal, effective, and culturally sensitive nursing practices.
• Manage team resources efficiently and within budgetary constraints.
• Drive service improvements through quality management and effective complaint and incident handling.
• Facilitate integration of services and multidisciplinary care models.
• Mentor, support, and inspire nursing staff, fostering professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Conflict resolution

Resource management

Strategic alignment

Education

NZ Nursing Council Practising Certificate

Postgraduate qualification in Nursing or Management

Job description

• AcuteStabilisation Unit, Te Rau Kawakawa
• 1.0 FTE – 80 hours a fortnight
• New Zealand Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate without any conditions on scope/practise

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

Join our team as the Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) at the Acute Stabilisation Unit Te Rau Kawakawa. In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee the coordination of nursing services in the 24/7 acute stabilisation unit, ensuring high-quality, patient-focused care while managing resources responsibly.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage nursing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Promote contemporary, patient-centred nursing practices in alignment with organizational goals and the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Ensure legal, effective, and culturally sensitive nursing practices.
• Manage team resources efficiently and within budgetary constraints.
• Drive service improvements through quality management and effective complaint and incident handling.
• Facilitate integration of services and multidisciplinary care models.
• Mentor, support, and inspire nursing staff, fostering professional development.

About the Team/Service/Location

Te Rau Kawakawa encompasses a primary care practice with an acute stabilisation unit (including primary birthing) in Westport and two rural clinics in Ngakawau and Karamea. It also offers community nursing and mental health services alongside other outpatient services. You’ll be part of a leadership team which includes three other Clinical Nurse Managers.

The Buller region is nestled in the northern West Coast, one of the most scenic places in Aotearoa. With a temperate climate, extensive coastlines and a genuine ‘mountains tothe sea’ landscape, it is a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a slice of paradise. Westport is a short hop to Nelson/Marlborough and Greymouth and boasts some amazing commuting scenery. The community is warm, passionate and welcoming, with a good range of opportunities for schooling, amenities and retail.

About You

• Qualifications: Registered Nurse with a current NZ Nursing Council Practising Certificate.
• Experience: 5+ years post-registration nursing experience, with prior management experience preferred.
• Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills; ability to manage resources and align team goals with strategic objectives.
• Attributes: Innovative, culturally aware, accountable, and dedicated to ongoing self and team development.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification in Nursing or Management (or working toward one).
• Experience in a management role within healthcare.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to shape healthcare services in a dynamic environment, contributing directly to the vision of Te Whatu Ora – Te Tai o Poutini. If you’re ready to make a difference in our communities, we’d love to hear from you.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

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.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
• 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.

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.