Clinical Nurse Manager - Surgical Assessment and Planning Unit

• Clinical Nurse Manager, Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital
• Permanent, Full-Time – 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE)
• Lead the establishment of a brand ‑ new surgical service and shape how acute surgical care is delivered from the ground up.
• This is a rare opportunity to design, lead and embed a new inpatient surgical service at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier Memorial Hospital. As Clinical Nurse Manager, you will be at the forefront of creating a high ‑ performing unit that improves patient flow, supports timely surgical decision‑making, and delivers excellent patient outcomes.
• If you are motivated by service development, leadership, innovation and team building, this role offers real scope, influence and professional challenge.

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

As Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) for the Surgical Assessment & Planning Unit (SAPU), you will have overall responsibility for the operational management, clinical leadership and service development of this newly established unit.

SAPU is a new 28 ‑ bed short‑stay surgical ward, including six dedicated assessment beds for acute surgical patients. The unit has been developed to support early surgical assessment, reduce delays to care, improve inpatient flow, and relieve pressure on Emergency Department and inpatient wards.

For more information on our new inpatient unit click here

You will lead the establishment of clinical and operational systems, develop staffing models and rosters, recruit and grow a skilled workforce, and embed a strong culture of quality, safety, equity and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Associate Clinical Nurse Manager, surgical teams, ED, allied health and bed management services, you will ensure SAPU operates efficiently and meets organisational targets.

This role requires autonomy, strong system thinking and the ability to manage complexity while supporting people through change.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Surgical Assessment & Planning Unit (SAPU) is a new service at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier Memorial Hospital. You will be part of the inpatient leadership group and work closely with surgical services, Emergency Department, theatres, ward teams and operational leaders to embed SAPU as an integral part of the hospital’s acute surgical pathway.

As CNM, you will set the tone for the unit - shaping team culture, models of care and future development.

For more information on living and working in Hawke’s Bay click HERE

About you

You are an experienced nursing leader with strong surgical knowledge and a passion for service development. You will have:

• Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a valid Annual Practising Certificate.
• 6 to 8 years’ recent clinical experience in surgical care.
• Demonstrated experience in charge management, service leadership or project delivery.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams within complex healthcare environments.
• Sound understanding of business, financial and workforce planning principles.
• Strong clinical governance, quality improvement and risk ‑ management capability.
• Experience with safe staffing systems, including TrendCare and VRM.
• A PDRP portfolio at expert level (or commitment to achieve within 12 months).
• Confidence working collaboratively with multidisciplinary and executive stakeholders.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and culturally safe leadership.

Desired:

• Postgraduate qualification (PGDip preferred) or active study pathway.
• Experience leading new initiatives or service redesign.
• Knowledge of wider health sector drivers and system pressures.

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 8^th May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Janine Kereama । Janine.Kereama@hbdhb.govt.nz

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

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.