Clinical Nurse Specialist, Acute Pain Service

• Senior Nursing Leadership Opportunity
• 1.50 FTE - Permanent Position
• Based within the Department of Anaesthesia

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 our new Clinical Nurse Specialist - Acute Pain Service/Enhanced Pain and Perioperative Care Service (EPPiC), you will play a key role in supporting patients and Whanau experiencing acute, complex, or persistent pain, and work to reduce the long-term burden of pain within our communities.

Working across the Acute Pain Service (APS) and Enhanced Pain Perioperative Care Service (EPPiC), this advanced nursing role combines expert clinical practice, leadership, education, and service development. You will provide highly specialised assessment and intervention for adults and children, support nurse-led outpatient services, and contribute to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

You will work collaboratively within the Department of Anaesthesia and alongside Anaesthetists, NPs, nursing colleagues, allied health teams, primary care providers, and hospital specialist services to deliver safe, evidence-based, person-centred pain care.

Please click here for a copy of the position description.

About You

You are an expert practitioner with advanced clinical skills in pain management and a passion for supporting people experiencing acute or persistent pain. You bring a holistic, Whanau-centred approach to care and are committed to achieving equitable outcomes.

You are confident in your practice, collaborative in your approach, and capable of providing leadership across both direct clinical care and broader service initiatives. You are motivated by quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and empowering both patients and colleagues through education and mentorship.

Skills and Experience:

• Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a current practising certificate.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice.
• Validated clinical expertise in pain management, with a minimum of three years' post-registration experience in a tertiary setting.
• Ideally relevant postgraduate qualification in a health-related field.
• Advanced clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
• Proven leadership capability with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates a holistic, consumer- and Whanau-centred approach to care.
• Enthusiasm for ongoing professional development and supporting the development of others.

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 Maori, 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 13 February 2026 If you have any questions about the role, please contact Stephanie van Zyl on 021497565