Clinical Nurse Specialist - Puawai - Forensic Mental Health Service at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu

Apply for Clinical Nurse Specialist - Puawai - Forensic Mental Health Service at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora in Hamilton, N, NZ. This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth. Waikato Hospital, Hamilton Medium secure rehabilitation wards - Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre Puawai forensic mental health service: in-patient units Permanent, full-time 80 hours per fortnight. About the Role Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) provide clinical expertise to nursing leaders and nurses ensuring health needs of taangata whaiora are identified. The focus is on supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and recovery-focused care for taangata whaiora as part of quality improvement. The CNS will be a subject matter expert in forensic mental health nursing and provide education and training to kaimahi. It is a senior nurse role within the team and contributes to maintaining a therapeutic environment while supporting the appropriate management of risk and safety. Key Responsibilities Provide specialist nursing care and expertise, both in care delivery and in support of other staff. Research, evaluate, develop and implement standards of nursing practice in a forensic setting. Lead the development of pathways, protocols and guidelines in forensic mental health nursing. Engage and work collaboratively with all stakeholders, particularly taangata whaiora and whānau. Support the pursuit of Māori health gains as well as achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori. About the Team/Service We currently have one Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) position available, working across Puna Poi Poi and Puna Taupua, our medium secure forensic rehabilitation wards. Puna Poi Poi has 11 beds and provides care for taangata whaiora who are predominantly male. Puna Taupua has 10 beds and provides care for predominantly waahine taangata whaiora, with a strong focus on gender-responsive care and supporting the specific needs of waahine. Both wards support taangata whaiora to rehabilitate, reintegrate into the community, and reconnect with whaanau and loved ones. Both teams are multidisciplinary and include nurses, mental health assistants, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, Takawaenga, and activities facilitators. About you Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings. Registered Nurse with 3-4 years of clinical experience in a forensic mental health setting. Completed a post graduate qualification in mental health nursing. Ability to complete post graduate studies in forensic mental health. Achieved or working towards an expert PDRP level of practice. Ability to display initiative and resourcefulness that will allow you to navigate the variety of challenges you could face. Ability to role model the Standards of Mental Health Nursing in Aotearoa and preferably a member of Te Ao Maaramatanga NZ College of Mental Health Nurses. How to Apply To apply please click Apply online or apply via our Waikato Careers website. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 31 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Robyn Payne at [email protected]. We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr