Clinical Nurse Specialist - Southern Forensic Mental Health Services

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Southern Forensic Mental Health Services Clinical Nurse Specialist – Southern Forensic Mental Health Services (Ward 9A and Community Forensic Services) Wakari. Wakari Hospital, Permanent full time Salary between $116,040 and $127,674 per annum pro rata The CNS role sits within a transforming health system guided by Pae Ora (Healthy Futures), with a strong focus on equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and improved population health outcomes. The CNS is expected to work in alignment with the values and behaviours outlined in Te Mauri o Rongo, including wairuatanga, rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga, and manaakitanga. The primary purpose of the role is to provide specialist nursing expertise in a defined area of practice, both through direct clinical care and by supporting and influencing the wider workforce. About the Role The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Forensic Mental Health provides expert nursing leadership, specialist clinical care, and consultation services for individuals with complex mental health needs who are involved in, or at risk of involvement with, the forensic mental health system. The role combines advanced clinical practice, professional leadership, service development, and education to support safe, effective, and recovery-focused care across inpatient, community, and interagency settings. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Providing senior nursing leadership and specialist consultation within forensic mental health services, supporting the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care for individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, and forensic presentations. Delivering expert nursing assessment, formulation, and care planning, with a strong focus on risk assessment and management, recovery-oriented practice, and promoting the safety and wellbeing of service users, whānau, staff, and the wider community. Supporting and guiding nursing and multidisciplinary colleagues through clinical consultation, education, mentorship, and leadership to enhance workforce capability and promote best practice in forensic mental health care. Working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including mental health services, justice agencies, community providers, Police, Corrections, and NGOs, to ensure coordinated, person-centred care and positive outcomes for service users. Leading and contributing to quality improvement initiatives, service evaluation, policy development, and implementation of best practice standards to strengthen clinical effectiveness and service delivery. Actively participating in professional development, research, clinical scholarship, and evidence-informed practice to advance specialist forensic mental health nursing and improve patient outcomes. Working closely with multidisciplinary team members to foster a responsive, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and patient-focused service that delivers effective and efficient care across the continuum of forensic mental health services. About the Team/Service/ Location Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern has the largest geographical coverage of all the New Zealand regions, providing services to 350,000 people in diverse communities. We take pride in all the services we provide, and our aim is to improve, promote and protect the health of our region. We believe that our dedicated and passionate staff are a significant driving force behind the achievement of these standards, and we need more like-minded people to help us continue providing for our community. About you Our ideal candidate will: Be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand as a registered Nurse and hold a current Nursing Council of New Zealand annual practising certificate Be working towards Post graduate qualifications at a minimum of a Diploma or/and a masters degree Have advanced learning and contemporary knowledge in area of specialist practice. Have previous experience and credibility with the health care team as a professional resource in speciality/practice area Excellent time management, interpersonal and organisational skills. The ability to be adaptable, flexible and solution focused. New Zealand working rights 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. We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert. #J-18808-Ljbffr