Registered Nurse – PACU

Southern Cross Hospital; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Rewards

Employee referral bonus scheme

Discounts from partners

Employee Network

Job summary

Southern Cross Hospital in Hamilton is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to join the PACU team on a 12-month fixed-term basis to cover parental leave. You will provide high-quality post-anaesthetic care, monitor patients, and support the theatre and surgical teams in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates have at least two years in PACU/ICU or acute surgical settings, APC, and strong assessment, communication, and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with APC; 2+ years' nursing experience in PACU/ICU or acute surgical setting preferred.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking and patient monitoring skills.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and deliver safe, high-quality care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; commitment to culturally safe care.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality post-anaesthetic care in PACU.
• Monitor patients and respond to changing needs with sound judgement.
• Collaborate with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre teams and nursing colleagues.
• Support patient safety, comfort and wellbeing.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Critical thinking

Patient monitoring

Teamwork

Communication skills

Cultural safety

Education

Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

Job description

Southern Cross Hospital – Hamilton East, North Island

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.

If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at *******@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.

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