Clinical Nurse Educator – Operating Theatres
Southern Cross Christchurch Hospital
Southern Cross Christchurch Hospital is the largest facility in Southern Cross Healthcare’s national network, centrally located in Christchurch. It features ten digital operating theatres, advanced robotic and scanning technologies, and onsite consulting services. The hospital provides comprehensive care through preadmission, day surgery, and inpatient wards, including a high dependency unit. Offering a wide range of elective surgeries—from orthopaedics to bariatrics—it is supported by over 350 highly skilled staff dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care.
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
Are you passionate about empowering nurses to deliver exceptional patient care? As our Clinical Nurse Educator (0.6 FTE), you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping clinical excellence across our hospital. Working closely with Department Managers, clinical leaders, and our Learning & Development Manager, you’ll design and deliver innovative learning programmes, mentor and coach staff, and drive capability development to ensure our teams deliver the highest standards of patient care. Your expertise in peri-operative and surgical care, coupled with a passion for education, will help our clinical teams stay at the forefront of best practice, enabling us to thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare environment.
This role is as much about leadership as it is about collaboration. You’ll champion a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring policies and protocols align with national standards and evidence-based research. From facilitating professional development and guiding staff through PDRP requirements to supporting quality initiatives and national projects, you’ll be central to our mission of delivering safe, innovative, and patient-focused care. If you’re ready to combine your clinical expertise with your passion for education and innovation, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- Extensive clinical expertise – at least five years’ recent post-graduate experience in an Operating Theatre.
- Proven leadership and mentoring skills – experienced in delivering clinical teaching, coaching, and professional development initiatives to support and inspire your team. Previous preceptorship experience is highly desirable.
- Strong academic and professional foundation – a Registered Nurse with PDRP Circle 3 (or equivalent), and ideally PDRP Circle 4; a post-graduate qualification in peri-operative nursing, clinical education, or a related discipline (or working toward one) is preferred.
- Tech-savvy and adaptable – comfortable using clinical systems at an intermediate level and able to thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment.
- Highly organised and efficient – with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strong focus on patient care and team development.
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
- 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.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Rainbow Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. 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.
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.
Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital
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Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital