Clinical Nurse Lead - General
Clinical Nurse Lead - General
Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital
Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital is a modern private surgical hospital serving the city and wider region since 1983. As the only private surgical hospital in the city, the hospital features advanced theatres and comfortable patient facilities, with 36 inpatient beds, and a dedicated day-stay facility.
The team provides excellent pre- and post-operative nursing care across a wide range of elective surgical services, including Orthopaedic surgery, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Oral surgery, Urology, Otolaryngology (ENT), Plastic Reconstructive and Cosmetic surgery, and General and Endoscopic surgery.
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
Step into a key leadership role where your clinical expertise in general theatre can truly shine. As our Clinical Nurse Lead – General Theatres, you’ll be immersed in a high-performing, fast-paced surgical environment, working across a diverse range of procedures and ensuring exceptional outcomes for patients. You’ll play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day coordination of theatre operations, working alongside Surgeons, multidisciplinary teams, and hospital leadership to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality care.
You will provide hands-on clinical leadership and expert guidance, supporting your team through the demands of a dynamic, multi-specialty surgical setting. You’ll optimise theatre flow, staffing skill mix, and resource allocation to meet the needs of varied and often competing theatre lists, while proactively navigating clinical and operational challenges. Your ability to think critically, stay calm under pressure, and lead from the front will be key in maintaining high standards of care and efficiency in a complex perioperative environment.
Building strong relationships will be central to your success. You will work closely with patients, whānau, colleagues, and specialists to deliver a high-quality, patient-centred experience, while championing quality initiatives, risk management, and professional standards across the service. You’ll also be passionate about developing others, coaching and mentoring your team to build capability and confidence across a broad scope of general theatre nursing.
This is a part-time (0.9 FTE) permanent role based in our Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- NZ Registered Nurse with a current practising certificate and surgical scope
- At least 5 years’ post-registration experience in the operating theatre, with exposure across a range of surgical specialties
- Skilled in clinical assessment, with a completed postgraduate paper (or equivalent) under your belt – or working towards this
- A collaborative mindset, with the ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment
- Proven ability to lead, inspire, and empower high-performing teams
- A positive, approachable, and solutions-focused attitude with a calm, professional presence
- Confidence using digital systems and adapting to new technology with ease
- A commitment to ongoing professional development, with a postgraduate qualification completed or in progress. You will have your PDRP Level 4 (Expert) or senior nursing PDRP or working towards it.
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package.
- Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements and a Nursing Council of New Zealand-approved PDRP.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear. Our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
