• Waikato Hospital
• Fixed-term and Permanent roles available at both full & part time.
• This role offers the opportunity of combining 2 interesting roles to anaesthetic care- PACU & AAC
• Join a supportive, multidisciplinary team and be supported in your professional development

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 have an exciting new opportunity combining two interesting roles key to anaesthetic care within the perioperative service. Both the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and the Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic (AAC) work closely alongside the anaesthetists to promote quality and safe patient care throughout the perioperative journey. You will have the opportunity to work in both AAC and PACU on a rotating roster between the two services.

In AAC, you will be working alongside the anaesthetist to complete thorough nursing assessments of a patients overall health to determine suitability and safety of a patient undergoing anaesthesia for surgery. You will also provide education to patients about the anaesthetic process by providing advice on what to expect to address any concerns patients may have.

In PACU, you will be caring for patients recovering from anaesthesia from a wide variety of specialities including neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, paediatrics, general surgery and more. While collaboration within the multi-disciplinary team is essential, PACU also requires a significant level of autonomy.

We offer you a comprehensive orientation programme to both AAC and PACU, and supported for professional development, as well as a highly supportive team committed to delivering quality care to patients in all stages of their anaesthetic and surgical procedure.

• Our nurses are responsible for triaging, assessing and ensuring patient flow from surgical referral to post-surgery recovery.
• AAC provides a supportive team environment with a keen focus on professional development and learning culture, and providing more regular hours which promote a healthy work life balance.
• In PACU, you will have the benefit of a supportive multi-disciplinary team, as well as the opportunity to work autonomously, with a wide range of specialties in a fast-paced environment.
• PACU and AAC offer a rewarding and stimulating career that encompasses a diverse work environment. Both PACU and AAC will provide you with the chance to gain an enormous range of desirable skills and experience.
• The ideal candidate will have worked in PACU previously or have similar relevant experience.

The salary for this position will be based on experience and in line with the NZNO MECA agreement. Additional benefits include kiwisaver contributions (if eligible), shift allowances, professional development and wellness support.

Click here to view the position description.

(Please note position descriptions can only be viewed on the Te Whatu Ora, Waikato website.)

About the team/Service

The Anaesthetic Assessment Clinic (AAC) is a nurse-led specialised clinic dedicated to ensuring patients are optimised for anaesthesia and surgery. The team is made up of anaesthetists, nurses and administrative staff, operating Monday-Friday between 08:00-17:00. Within our clinic we have specialised Paediatric, Obstetric and Complex Decision clinics for high-risk patients. The clinic conducts a preoperative assessment which is crucial in minimizing intraoperative risk and promoting post-operative recovery.

Our Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) is a critical care environment which receives patients from every surgical speciality including cardiothoracic, general surgical, vascular, obstetric, neurosurgery, paediatrics and more. PACU provides care for, at full capacity, 80-100 patients every weekday so you will be working in a fast-paced, busy environment. PACU is a 24-hour service which require you to fulfil a rotating roster including weekends and on call roster.

Both services play an integral role throughout the patient anaesthetic and surgical journey, working closely within the multi-disciplinary team to co-ordinate care.

About you

Skills and experience you’ll need to be considered for the role:

• Prior experience in PACU nursing, critical care or acute surgical nursing is essential.
• A minimum of two years post registration experience in an acute care setting in a New Zealand tertiary hospital.
• Be flexible in your work hours with varied start times to meet the 24 hour service, including the participation in an on-call roster.
• Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Have the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Have excellent verbal and written communication and computer literacy skills
• Have legal right to work in New Zealand, either as a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or as a holder of an Australian passport or a valid work visa/permit.
• Have an Annual Practicing Certificate held with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

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 20 April 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Monique Wilson at Monique.Wilson@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

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