Risk Manager - Quality and Patient Safety

• Waikato Hospital
• Permanent – 80 hours per fortnight

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

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato continues to strive to be an organisation where we ‘listen, learn, improve’. The Risk Manager is a developed role following the introduction of the electronic risk management system. 

As the Risk Manager, you'll work with the Quality & Patient Safety Team, providing accurate and efficient operation and maintenance of the administration systems and processes for risk management, particularly for the serious event and coroner’s process, to enable services and the wider Hospital to share, learn and improve.  As the Risk Manager, you'll be collaborating with the Regional and National Health NZ Risk teams as required.

Key responsibilities:

In this role you will

• Facilitate risk management principles across all services within the Waikato District.
• Promote the use of the electronic risk management system and be a super-user, in particular for risk register and incidents.
• Manage the serious event review process so that the reviews are completed in line with process and policy.
• Make sure that clinicians and the wider Hospital implement recommendations from the coroners reports and the serious event review process.
• Provide accurate and timely reports particularly relating to serious event activity, risk register, coroners’ activity, incidents volumes/trends from the electronic risk management system.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

The Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) team are dedicated to providing information to make sure patient, clients and service users are safe and they receive the best care and treatment in their hospital journey.

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 considered for this pivotal role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Risk management experience that involves leading large services or organisations.
• Previous experience in healthcare settings, including as a clinician, is strongly desired.
• Proven experience with Microsoft Office suite, particularly excel, word and Visio.
• Excellent analytical and trend analysis.
• Able to write reports to a level accepted by committees / senior management.
• Previous administration experience and organisation skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• You have a deep understanding of tikanga Māori and te ao Māori principles whether professionally or through lived experiences.
• You are committed to working in a holistic and culturally responsive manner.

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 26 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at Robyn.Payne@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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