Clinical Nurse Specialist - Orthopaedics

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist in Orthopaedics to lead a dedicated orthopaedic team and support patients on their journey back to mobility.

This permanent, full-time CNS role focuses on delivering holistic, patient-centred care across the hospital journey, coordinating orthogeriatric plans and liaising with geriatrics, rehabilitation services, and residential care facilities to facilitate timely discharge.

Qualifications

• New Zealand Registered Nurse with a current annual practicing certificate.
• Post graduate certificate/diploma in speciality nursing practice.
• Working towards or completion of a Masters Degree in nursing or health related area.
• A current Expert Registered Nurse Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) Portfolio.
• A personal commitment to ongoing learning and development.
• Ability to collaborate with fellow team members and work groups to achieve specific objectives.

Responsibilities

• Identifying eligible patients daily and preparing for specialist review.
• Implementing orthogeriatric plans.
• Providing advice, education and support to nursing staff and whanau.
• Link orthopaedics, geriatrics and rehabilitation services and coordinates communication with residential care facilities.

Skills

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Geriatrics

Orthopaedics

Education & mentoring

Education

Post graduate certificate/diploma in speciality nursing practice

Masters Degree in nursing or health related area

Job description

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Orthopaedics

• Permanent full-time position, working 40 hours per week
• An exciting opportunity for an experienced senior nurse to lead a dedicated orthopaedic team and support patients on their journey back to mobility and independence.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role and Service

Ortho geriatric patients are typically frail older adults admitted to hospital following injury, often with complex medical, functional and social needs. The Orthogeriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert, coordinated care throughout the patients hospital journey, combining specialist knowledge or both geriatric and orthopaedic nursing.

The role focuses on delivering holistic, patient-centred care; anticipating and promptly managing complications; supporting recovery and mobility and reducing delays, deconditioning and other risks associated with prolonged hospitalisation. By addressing the unique challenges of older adults with fractures and other musculoskeletal conditions, the CNS helps optimise outcomes, enhance patient experience, and facilitate safe and timely discharge.

As Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Identifying eligible patients daily and preparing for specialist review
• Implementing orthogeriatric plans
• Providing advice, education and support to nursing staff and whanau
• Link orthopaedics, geriatrics and rehabilitation services and coordinates communication with residential care facilities

About you

• New Zealand Registered Nurse with a current annual practicing certificate
• Post graduate certificate/diploma in speciality nursing practice
• Working towards or completion of a Masters Degree in nursing or health related area
• A current Expert Registered Nurse Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) Portfolio
• A personal commitment to ongoing learning and development
• Ability to collaborate with fellow team members and work groups to achieve specific objectives

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

by 1 st November 2026.

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