Clinical Nurse Specialist - NICU

• Waikato Hospital
• Fixed term for 12 months – Part time – 64 hours per fortnight – Monday to Friday
• Pilot an exciting new position which focuses on care delivery providing specialist nursing care and expertise, both in direct care delivery and in support to other staff in the management of a defined client group / area of speciality practice; NICU.

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

This position involves researching, evaluating, developing and implementing standards of nursing practice in the specific area of practice. You will lead the development of pathways, protocols and guidelines in the specific area of practice.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Neonatal is an advanced nursing practice role that works in partnership with whānau, registered nurses medical and allied health staff. The role ensures the effective coordination and delivery of neonatal care and will be responsible for ensuring expert nursing assessment, support and mentorship to the wider nursing team. The CNS leads the advancement of professional knowledge and skills utilising current evidence-based practice to improve overall care to the neonate and their whānau.

Key responsibilities:

• Delivery of safe and effective services in partnership with clinicians.
• Whanau centred/ integrated care – meetings in partnership with whanau.
• Undertakes advanced patient assessment within the unit.
• Assesses and modifies care as necessary to achieve optimal health outcomes.
• Neurodevelopmental care practice that promotes clinical excellence in infant and family-centred developmental care.
• Consults and collaborates with other professionals on specific patients.
• Admits L2 infants to neonatal unit in accordance with clinical assessment and clinical policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provides advanced expert nursing knowledge and clinical leadership through involvement and oversight of direct patient care delivery.
• Works closely with Medical, ACNM, Discharge facilitator, MDT.
• Attendance of complex cases and discharge planning meeting as well as whanau meetings in collaboration with the MDT team.
• Comprehensive understanding and demonstrated skill in the process of neonatal physical head to toe examination and what is normal.
• Guides, supports and acts as a resource to the registered nurses.
• Demonstrates provision of culturally safe practice and a confident approach to partnership, with health consumers and their whānau.
• Demonstrates an awareness of health inequity, with evidence of implementing actions within own clinical practice towards reducing these for health consumers and their whānau.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team

Waikato NICU is a tertiary service caring for premature and critically ill babies from across the Te Manawa Taki region. We currently have 41 beds of which 17 are designated as intensive care beds. These are for babies requiring the highest level of complex care, including advanced respiratory intervention and life support. 12 designated as High dependency beds and 12 special care beds. NICU admits approximately 1,100 babies per year, making it one of the busiest neonatal services in the country.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

To be successful in this role you must be able to demonstrate excellent skills in communication, clinical leadership, collaboration, and:

• Be a RN with at least 5 years of Neonatal experience.
• Postgraduate certificate.
• Hold a current annual practicing certificate.
• Excel in organisational skills and coordination, be able to multi-task
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to support the team in service delivery.
• Contribute to quality improvement, auditing, continuous service improvement and be able to find solutions to problems.
• A high level of professionalism and able to maintain excellent relationships.
• Open to new ideas and alternative ways of working.
• Understanding of nutritional requirements, optimal growth and electrolyte management.
• Maintains professional knowledge and best practice relating to neonatal care.
• Completed FINE training or working towards.

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 online” or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on 15 September 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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