Clinical Nurse Specialist - Diabetes and Endocrine Service

Location: Based in Wellington Regional Hospital but may be asked to work in Kenepuru Hospital, Kapiti Clinic or Hutt Hospital

Contract: Permanent, Part Time  (0.6 FTE)

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

We are excited to advertise a role in our expert team of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Diabetes. Our team is looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and friendly team member to help us support people with Diabetes. This CNS Diabetes will support patients with diabetes across the lifespan but will focus primarily on Gestational Diabetes and Diabetes in Pregnancy. If you think this is you, we would love to hear from you. The Diabetes and Endocrine Service is a District service covering Capital, Coast, Hutt Valley, Kenepuru and Kapiti health centre and this role may be expected to work at any of these sites.

The CNS Diabetes uses advanced nursing knowledge and skills to work with people with diabetes across the lifespan, providing specialist nursing management and expert self-management teaching.  Specific components of this role include:

• A strong focus on teaching new and emerging technologies to improve quality of life for people with type one diabetes in particular. 
• Conducting nurse-led clinics
• Leading development of diabetes specialist pathways, protocols, and guidelines
• Supporting and collaborating with internal and external providers to improve patient outcomes
• Acting as an expert resource for the MDT
• A career pathway leading to CNS Prescriber
• Initiate investigations (e.g. laboratory, radiology requests) linked to own clinics or surveillance (when preapproved by nursing leadership and Service with policy to support delegated responsibility)
• Participates in the planning and delivery of education for whanau and support personnel and health professionals who support and enhance management of diabetes. 

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Diabetes is a designated Registered Nurse (RN) Prescriber role. The Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) authorisation is for RN prescribing in primary health and specialty teams. This means the CNS must work within a collaborative team consistent with NCNZ guidance to prescribe from the medicines list relevant to their area of practice and competence level.

Applications from candidates who are not designated RN Prescribers will be accepted on the understanding that it is a service expectation that the CNS will work towards becoming a designated prescriber. The timeframe for this will be discussed and agreed prior to an offer being made.

About the Team/Service Location

The Service provides specialist services targeting assessment and complex clinical management of high risk individuals with Diabetes. The Specialist nursing team receives and supports high risk children, young adults, adults, and pregnant women with diabetes to improve outcomes and quality of life, and provides an inpatient and outpatient consultation service, within a strong nurse-led case management model. 

About you

To be successful in this role you should have the following:

• Registered Nurse with a current APC
• At least 3 years' experience - diabetes and/or obstetrics experience preferred but must be willing and motivated to learn
• Post-graduate education an advantage
• Current registration with NCNZ as a Nurse Prescriber an advantage but the successful candidate will be expected to complete Nurse Prescribing after taking up this role and will be supported to do so.
• Highly organised and confident to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective therapeutic relationships, provide clear patient education, and communicate confidently with patients, whānau and members of the multidisciplinary team
• A commitment to culturally safe, equitable and person- and whānau-centred care, including an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within health care.
• Sound clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to recognise and respond appropriately to changes in a patient's clinical condition
• Full drivers licence required as travel around the district is expected

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to Apply

To apply please click 'apply now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal.If you have any questions about the role, please contact Deb.brodie@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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