Clinical Nurse Specialist - Least Restrictive Practice

• Clinical Nurse Specialist - Least Restrictive Practice - Hawkes Bay Fallen Soldiers Hospital
• Permanent, Full Time, 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE)
• This is a rare opportunity to influence practice at an organisation wide level, leading meaningful change that improves the safety, wellbeing, and experience of patients, whānau, and staff.

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

This is more than a specialist nursing role. This is a unique opportunity to lead and influence the organisation wide approach to least restrictive practice, supporting safer, more therapeutic environments for patients, whānau, and staff across a range of clinical settings. While based within Mental Health and Addiction Services, the role works collaboratively across the organisation to strengthen practice, build workforce capability, and drive quality improvement initiatives that reduce the use of restrictive interventions.

As the Clinical Nurse Specialist - Least Restrictive Practice, you will provide expert clinical leadership to support the delivery of care that upholds dignity, human rights, safety, and recovery focused principles. You will work closely with clinical teams, leaders, and services to embed trauma informed, person centred, and culturally responsive approaches to care.

In this influential role, you will provide specialist advice, education, and support to clinicians, coordinate and deliver Safe Practice Effective Communication (SPEC) and De - escalation and Breakaway training, analyse trends and outcomes, and lead quality improvement initiatives that strengthen clinical practice. You will also contribute to governance, service development, workforce initiatives, and organisational compliance, helping to shape the future direction of least restrictive practice across Health New Zealand.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

Based within Ngā Rau Rākau Mental Health Intensive Services in Hastings, this role works across Mental Health and Addiction Services and wider Health New Zealand services to support best practice in least restrictive and recovery focused care.

You will collaborate with clinical leaders, frontline staff, tangata whaiora, and whānau to strengthen workforce capability, enhance service quality, and improve outcomes through education, leadership, and innovation. This role offers the opportunity to influence practice across the organisation while working alongside passionate professionals committed to delivering safe and compassionate care.

For more information on living and working in Hawkes Bay click HERE

About you

As a respected clinician and leader, you will bring:

• Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• At least five years of clinical experience within Mental Health and Addiction Services.
• A postgraduate qualification and a commitment to ongoing postgraduate study, ideally towards a Master's degree.
• Demonstrated expertise in de - escalation, trauma informed care, and least restrictive practice.
• Experience leading education, quality improvement, and practice change initiatives.
• Strong relationship building, coaching, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across services and professional groups.
• Experience analysing data and using insights to drive service improvements.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori and all community

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 now.  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 22 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Peta.Rowden@hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz

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

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.