Head of Department - Blood Transfusion
- Whangarei hospital, Te Tai Tokerau
- Permanent full-time position, working 40 hours per week
- Provide strategic, clinical, and operational leadership across Blood Transfusion services
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 the Head of Department – Blood Transfusion, you will provide overarching leadership, management, and strategic direction. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly skilled team delivering safe, efficient, and patient-centred transfusion services across Te Tai Tokerau.
As Head of Department, you will provide clinical, operational, and professional leadership for Blood Transfusion services, ensuring compliance with national standards, quality requirements, and best practice. You will play a key role in workforce development, service improvement, and strategic planning while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety and equitable healthcare outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing leadership and management of Blood Bank operations and staff.
- Ensuring compliance with quality, accreditation, and regulatory standards.
- Leading workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development.
- Driving continuous quality improvement and service innovation.
- Managing departmental resources, budgets, and performance.
- Building strong relationships with clinical teams and regional stakeholders.
- Supporting laboratory service planning and wider organisational objectives.
Click here to view the position description.
About the Team/Service/Location
You’ll be leading a supportive and collaborative team of scientists who work closely together to achieve the best outcomes for patients and whānau. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, social group who look out for one another.
Our laboratory has recently moved into a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility—a bright, spacious, and modern environment designed to support both excellent science and staff wellbeing.
Feeling overwhelmed by the world politics? Turn your social media accounts off and move to a paradise! Whangarei is in a beautiful subtropical part of New Zealand also known as “Winterless North”. With over 100 amazing beaches around, rainforest walking trails within the city limit and beyond, legendary fishing and other activities will welcome a successful candidate. Known for a relaxed lifestyle, outstanding outdoor activities and provides excellent recreation, arts and sporting facilities.
For more information on living and working in Whangarei- Northland, click here.
About you
We are looking for someone who will operationally and strategically support the ongoing development of the Laboratory Service, being able to deliver organisational KPIs, financial budgets and service plans.
- New Zealand Registered & Licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Medical Sciences Council (MSC)
- Demonstrated senior leadership experience
- Extensive technical expertise in transfusion science and blood bank operations
- Strong people leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Proven ability to lead quality systems, accreditation processes, and service improvements across multiple disciplines
- Computer literacy: Word, Outlook, and relevant clinical systems
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 20th September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Olivia Matthews on nl-jobs@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
