Registered Nurse – PACU

Southern Cross Group; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Employee referral bonus scheme

Discounts from partners

Employee Network

Job summary

Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to join the PACU team for a 12‑month fixed‑term parental leave cover. You will deliver post‑anaesthetic care, monitor patients, and work closely with anaesthetists, surgeons and theatre staff to ensure safe recovery.

The role offers part‑time hours with a supportive, collaborative culture. A current APC and at least two years' PACU/ICU or acute surgical experience are preferred for this fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
• Minimum two years' nursing experience in PACU, ICU or acute surgical setting preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and patient monitoring skills.
• Patient-focused approach with commitment to safe, high‑quality care.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality post‑anaesthetic care in PACU and support patient recovery.
• Monitor patients, respond to changing needs, and ensure safety and comfort.
• Collaborate with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre teams and other staff.
• Maintain teamwork in a fast-paced, busy clinical environment.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Critical thinking

Patient monitoring

Communication

Teamwork

Culturally safe care

Patient-centered care

Adaptability

Education

APC registration (Annual Practising Certificate)

Job description

Hamilton East Closing date: 27 September 2026 Reference: 1105434

Registered Nurse – PACU

Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital

Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital is a well‑equipped private surgical hospital based in central Hamilton, proudly providing a wide range of surgical specialties to the wider Waikato community for many years. Our hospital has eight fully equipped operating theatres, 43 inpatient beds (including four high‑dependency unit beds), and a purpose‑built Day Surgery Unit. We offer a range of specialties, including but not limited to, orthopaedics, gynaecology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, spine, and general surgery specialties.

Comfortable facilities, combined with the very latest in technology and on‑site support services, enable independent credentialled medical practitioners to undertake a wide range of procedures. These include routine investigations to complex surgery, with their expertise supported by caring, professional nursing teams.

Are you a passionate and experienced Registered Nurse looking to make a meaningful difference in a fast‑paced surgical environment? We are seeking skilled Registered Nurses to join our dedicated PACU team at our Hamilton hospital on a 12‑month fixed‑term basis to provide parental leave cover.

As a PACU Nurse, you'll provide high‑quality post‑anaesthetic care, supporting patients through their immediate recovery and ensuring their safety, comfort, and wellbeing. Working closely with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre teams, and other healthcare professionals, you'll use your clinical expertise, assessment skills, and sound judgement to monitor patients and respond to their changing needs.

Our PACU team is known for its strong culture of teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement. You'll join a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone works together to deliver excellent patient outcomes. If you thrive in a fast‑paced setting and are committed to exceptional patient care, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a fixed‑term opportunity for 12 months to cover parental leave. We have a range of part‑time hours available for this fixed‑term role depending on your availability and schedule.

• Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• A minimum of two years' nursing experience in PACU, ICU, or an acute surgical setting is preferred
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and patient monitoring skills
• A patient-focused approach with a commitment to delivering safe, high‑quality care
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team in a busy clinical environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A commitment to culturally safe and patient‑centred care
• Flexibility to work rostered weekday shifts
• PDRP Level 2 or 3 is advantageous but not essential
• Previous experience in private healthcare is desirable
• Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package and employee referral bonus scheme.
• Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.

Ko wai matou | Our Organisation

At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do:

• Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
• Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
• Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.

We’re proud to bring together over 4,000 skilled professionals—including 2,000 nurses and anaesthetic technicians—working alongside more than 1,200 specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health experts. Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.

Driven by a strong ‘for purpose’ ethos, we think beyond financial quarters—planning for generations to come.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.