Senior Patient Safety Advisor

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 108,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in the Wellington region is seeking a Senior Patient Safety Advisor to join the Centre of Clinical Excellence. The role focuses on improving patient safety, strengthening system resilience, and reducing harm across our district.

You will provide expert advice, lead safety initiatives, analyze data, support audits, and collaborate with clinical and non-clinical teams to embed a culture of quality and safety across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• This role requires a clinical background with patient safety experience.
• Experience with quality improvement and governance processes is preferred.
• Strong data interpretation and reporting capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support a small team of Patient Safety Advisors
• Provide expert patient safety and quality advice to clinical teams and governance groups
• Analyse data and trends to inform decision-making and system improvements
• Contribute to local and organisational policy
• Support audits, reporting, and compliance activities as needed
• Strengthen partnerships and promote equitable health outcomes for Māori, Pacific, and disabled communities
• Support serious adverse event processes and contributing to organisational learning

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Audits & governance knowledge

Equity & Te Tiriti understanding

Healthcare sector knowledge

Education

Relevant clinical background

Job description

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital, Kenepuru & Hutt Hospital

Contract: Permanent, 0.9 FTE Mon-Fri

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

We are looking for a motivated person to join our Quality & Patient Safety Team as the Senior Patient Safety Advisor within the Centre of Clinical Excellence.

This is a key role focused on improving patient safety, strengthening system resilience, and reducing harm across our district. You will provide expert advice, lead and support safety initiatives, and work closely with clinical and non-clinical teams to embed a strong culture of quality and safety. The role requires you to work on both long-term projects and reactive work of a time sensitive nature.

This role is based in Wellington but requires you to work across multiple sites.

In this role, you will:

• Support a small team of Patient Safety Advisors
• Provide expert patient safety and quality advice to clinical teams and governance groups
• Analyse data and trends to inform decision‑making and system improvements
• Contribute to local and organisational policy
• Support audits, reporting, and compliance activities as needed
• Strengthen partnerships and promote equitable health outcomes, particularly for Māori, Pacific, and disabled communities
• Support serious adverse event processes and contribute to organisational learning

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to work that supports safer, higher-quality care across the district.

The Senior Patient Safety Advisor reports to the Quality & Patient Safety Manager.

About the Team/Service Location

The Centre of Clinical Excellence supports Te Whatu Ora - Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley (CCHV) to become a learning, pro-equity organisation where innovation and quality improvement is embedded in the practice of all staff. The centre will contribute to improved health outcomes for all our patients by raising the visibility of quality and safety, strengthening clinical governance and developing innovative practices to transform CCHV.

The Centre of Clinical Excellence aims to be a dynamic leader in this field, to have a smart and vibrant environment with people who are passionate, inspiring, creative, and challenge all to be extraordinary. Our team are values driven, who share knowledge, communicate openly and honestly, continually learn and are curious and courageous.

About you

You are an experienced healthcare worker with a relevant clinical background and experience in patient safety, quality improvement, or healthcare systems, along with the ability to engage with a diverse range of people.

You have initiative and are able to take the lead on projects and respond easily to evolving situations.

You are resilient, adaptable, and motivated to make a meaningful difference.

You will also have:

• Knowledge of the NZ health sector, including quality improvement methodologies and patient safety practices
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and use data to drive improvement
• Proven ability to manage projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of audit processes, adverse event review, and feedback systems
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong critical thinking capability
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to achieving equitable outcomes

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

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. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: SS181-26

Location:

North Island - Wellington - Hutt Valley

North Island - Wellington - Porirua

North Island - Wellington - Wellington Central