Health Care Assistant - Operating Theatres

• Waikato Hospital
• Part time - 64 hours per fortnight with the potential to work extra shifts
• Join the dynamic Theatres and Anaesthesia team at Waikato Hospital, supporting 24 operating theatres and a broad range of surgical specialties in a high-performing, multidisciplinary environment

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

We are seeking an experienced Health Care Assistant to join the Operating Theatres department here at Waikato Hospital. This is a part time permanent position where you will be working rostered shifts over a 7 day, 24 hour period, including weekends.

As a Health Care Assistant in Operating Theatres, you will work under the supervision and direction of registered nurses to provide support and assistance to patients having surgery or other procedures.

You will be working in a stressful environment, so you will need to be able to respond appropriately, be reliable and have a pleasant, flexible and sensitive approach to the needs of those around you.

The salary for this position will be based on experience and in line with the NZNO Nursing and Midwifery Collective Agreement. Additional benefits include kiwisaver contributions (if eligible), shift allowances, professional development, wellbeing support, and access to a range of Health New Zealand staff benefits and national discount programmes.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

The Theatres and Anaesthesia department at Waikato Hospital is comprised of 24 Operating Theatres, a Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit and Day of Surgery Admission Unit. A wide range of surgical specialties include General Surgery, Vascular, Cardiac, Urology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Plastics, Paediatrics, Delivery Suite, Gynaecology, Maxillofacial and more.

About you

• Excellent verbal communication and time-management skills,
• Strong patient focus,
• Be physically fit as the role involves physical manual handling,
• Be dedicated to being an important part of our health care team,
• The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot,
• Be responsive to urgency and the ability to prioritise,
• Be able to work rostered shifts over a 7 day, 24 hour period, including weekends.

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 28 September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kendra Corey at Kendra.Corey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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