Rural Nurse Specialist - West Coast

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast; Reefton; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora West Coast is seeking a Casual Rural Nurse Specialist to deliver nurse-led primary health care across the West Coast region, including rural clinics, schools and community settings. You will be the first point of contact for residents and visitors, providing holistic, culturally safe care.

The role emphasizes equity, whānau-centred care, and working with local iwi and health teams to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• NZRN with current Annual Practising Certificate and scope to practice.
• Prime training and vaccination certification required or willing to obtain.
• Postgraduate Diploma or in-progress study preferred.
• Commitment to cultural safety and equity in care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver holistic nurse-led primary health care across rural clinics, schools and communities.
• Provide culturally appropriate, equitable and cost-effective care.
• Lead health initiatives and collaborate with iwi and Māori health teams.
• Offer advanced clinical assessments, planning and on-call support.

Education

New Zealand Registered Nurse with Annual Practising Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma or working towards it

PRIME training certification

Independent Vaccinator certification

Full NZ driver's license

Job description

Casual position availableWork across the West Coast areaBe the first port of call for residents and tourists travelling through the areaHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in theprinciples of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all NewZealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a healthsystem underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care,and excellence.

About the Role

The Rural Nurse Specialist (RNS) delivers a holistic,culturally appropriate, and cost-effective nurse-led Primary Health CareService to residents and non-residents within the West Coast area. This rolesupports the delivery of high-quality, equitable healthcare and operates acrossrural clinics, schools, and community settings.The RNS is pivotal in providing advanced nursing care,leading healthcare initiatives, and enabling sustainable health serviceintegration, while honouring cultural diversity and addressing healthinequities.

Key Responsibilities

• Culturally Competent Care:Provide healthcare services that prioritize the needs of Māori as tangata whenua to achieve equity in health outcomes.
• Collaborate with local iwi and Māori health teams to develop strategies for improving health outcomes.
• Leadership and Collaboration:Role model professional behaviours and support team development.
• Partner with community stakeholders, educators, and interprofessional teams to address unmet health needs, especially in schools.
• Advanced Clinical Care:Deliver comprehensive assessments, diagnostic inquiries, planning, interventions, and evaluations.
• Provide emergency care adhering to P.R.I.M.E. protocols and manage chronic, rehabilitative, and palliative care services in the community.
• Health Promotion:Facilitate health education for children and families through Well Child/Tamariki Ora checks, school health clinics, and immunization programs.
• Engage in community-driven health promotion initiatives aligned with the Ottawa Charter and Treaty of Waitangi.

About the Team/Service/Location

Each Rural Nurse Specialist clinic is unique and provideshealth services to the community that they serve. The areas that you wouldspend time in include the three northern sites; Karamea, Ngakawau and Reefton;Moana located centrally; and the five Southern sites; Hari Hari, Whataroa,Franz, Fox, and Haast. The geographical distance from Karamea to Haast is510km, but the distance each RNS covers differs depending on location. Workingas an RNS within all the clinics, you will be the first 'port of call' in manycases for both the residents and tourists travelling through the area. You willprovide clinic-based services during the day - mainly primary care, districtnursing and 'on-call' services as per a roster. As an RNS you will use yourassessment skills and experience to provide primary and emergency care, withthe support from the wider team, a system of standing Orders, and PRIMEtraining.

About You

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• New Zealand Registered Nurse with a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in Accident and Emergency, Community, or Primary Care settings.
• PRIME training certification or willingness to complete.
• Independent Vaccinator certification or commitment to attain.
• Full NZ driver's license.
• Postgraduate Diploma or working towards it.
• Proven commitment to cultural safety and health equity.

Desirable

• Experience in research, community consultation, and evaluation of service-related projects..
• Familiarity with MedTech32 or Indici systems.
• Current professional portfolio aligned with the PDRP and/or Takarangi Cultural Competency Framework.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving ofwellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people ofAotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helpingeveryone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. Italso promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equityin health outcomes.Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health NewZealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equalemployment 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 NewZealand's South Island. It is unmatched for the scale, diversity, andaccessibility of its natural attractions, including rugged coastline, sandybeaches, rainforests, and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country.The region boasts robust tourism and primary production industries, whichprovide the backbone of the local economy. The town of Greymouth is central toTe Tai o Poutini West Coast and is located alongside the historically rich andpicturesque Grey river.Health NZ West Coast are proud of how we do things. We havea 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. Weare passionate about attracting, recruiting, and retaining talented people - tobecome part of our team.