JOB DESCRIPTION
Associate Clinical Nurse Manager, PACU/SAU
Clinical Services
Whangarei Hospital
Position Title:
Associate Clinical Nurse Manager, PACU/SAU
Organisation Unit:
Clinical Services
Location:
Whangarei Hospital
Responsible to:
Clinical Nurse Manager, PACU/SAU
Primary Functions of
the Position:
The Associate Clinical Nurse Manager will support the Clinical
Nurse Manager, PACU and will be responsible for providing
clinical coordination and direction to the nursing team within the
Department.
Functional Relationships
The Associate Clinical Nurse Manager will develop and maintain effective relationships with:
Internal














Patients / Family / Whanau
Designated Senior Nurses
Bureau Coordinator
Safety & Quality Facilitator
Duty Manager
Nursing Staff
Allied Health Professionals
Medical Staff
Maori Health Directorate
Director of Midwifery and Nursing
Clinical Director
Clinical Head of Department
Nursing Leadership Groups
Regional hospital
External






Health & Support Agencies
NorthTec
Primary Health Care providers
Rest home and private hospitals
Maori Health providers
Company representatives
Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will
respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following
Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with
NDHB:
Values
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
Supporting Statement
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence,
confidence and innovation
The position of Associate Clinical Nurse Manager encompasses the following major functions
or key result areas:









To provide clinical expertise and direction to the Nursing Team to enable patient focused
care within a multi-disciplinary setting
To coordinate effectively and efficiently the provision of quality care which is professional
and patient focused to ensure quality patient outcomes
To effectively coordinate the day to day activities of the department and staff
To be responsible for the financial and human resources of an identified area of the
Perioperative Service In conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager, PACU/SAU
To provide clinical leadership and supervision of the nursing team
To facilitate the development of nursing skills and knowledge of the nursing team
Demonstrates a commitment to quality of Service Delivery
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To provide clinical
expertise and direction
to the nursing team to
enable patient focused
care within a multidisciplinary setting




Contribute to and foster the use of evidenced based nursing
practice.
Liaise with the Clinical Nurse Manager and Nurse Educator
to ensure clear policies and protocols for standards of
practice and procedures exist and are regularly reviewed
and updated in accordance with NDHB policy.
Use advanced nursing knowledge and skills to ensure that
all nursing practice is safe, legal, effective and responsive to
the needs of the patients and their significant others.
Provide clinical expertise to the nursing team, including
teaching, supporting and guidance.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To co-ordinate
effectively and
efficiently the provision
of quality care which is
professional and
patient focused to
ensure quality patient
outcomes





To effectively coordinate the day to day
activities of the
department and staff








In conjunction with the
Clincal Nurse Manager,
PACU/SAU, be
responsible for the
financial and
human resources








Promote effective teamwork, building collaborative
relationships within the multi-disciplinary team.
Act as an advocate for conveying patient and family needs
and responses to treatment to the rest of the multidisciplinary team.
Ensure that documentation including multi disciplinary care
plans and processes are clear and meets the standard in
accordance with Northland District Health Board Nursing
and documentation policies.
Practice and promote a quality patient focused approach to
nursing care.
Act as a liaison with families / caregivers/ whanau as
necessary.
Ensure that the patient pathway is seamless to enhance
patient care delivery.
Liaise with Duty Managers regarding hospital bed status.
Provide daily staff allocation, including management of short
notice roster changes due to annual, bereavement and sick
leave in consultation with the Clinical Nurse Manager, Duty
Manager and Bureau Coordinator as appropriate.
Co-ordinate and use resources time, equipment and staff
efficiently.
Ensure staff provide shift handover information that clearly
identifies patient clinical risk and appropriate plans to
mitigate those risks.
Support the implementation and maintenance of the Theatre
TrendCare module as appropriate.
In consultation with the Clinical Nurse Manager and Nurse
Educator, facilitate orientation and preceptorship for all new
team members.
Liaise with after hour’s Duty Managers to provide twentyfour hour overview of patient care delivery as appropriate.
Within the allocated budget, manage human and physical
resources efficiently and effectively to meet actual and case
mix demands.
Implement corrective action to counteract unfavorable
budget variances and report to the Clinical Nurse Manager,
PACU/SAU on a monthly basis and as required.
Assists with recruiting and deploying staff with appropriate
skill levels.
Assist staff to identify individual learning needs and initiate
plans to meet identified needs.
Ensure the maintenance of a register of designations and
ensure nursing staff are up to date in accordance with
NDHB policies.
Ensure orientation of new staff.
Ensure all positions are involved in performance
management which reflects the current environment and
which is reviewed at least once annually.
In conjunction with other ACNMs and Nurse Manager,
Perioperative Service, ensure efficient and effective use of
the operating department.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To provide clinical
leadership and
supervision of the
nursing team













Provide leadership and guidance to nursing staff who are
actively participating in ongoing professional development.
Accept delegated authority from the Clinical Nurse Manager.
Demonstrate leadership skills, acting as a resource for
students and team members and all other staff within the
ward/unit/department.
Delegate appropriately to staff to provide supervision and
leadership when necessary.
Demonstrate accountability for directing, monitoring and
evaluating nursing care that is provided by Enrolled Nurses
and Health Care Assistants.
Make appropriate decisions when allocating care, delegating
activities and providing direction to Enrolled Nurses and
Health Care Assistants.
Comply with Nursing Council NZ and organisational policies
when making decisions regarding delegation and direction of
care/activities to Enrolled Nurses & Health Care Assistants.
Role model positive and professional behaviour in all
relationships.
Identify issues of ethical concern and assist staff in
addressing these.
Provide constructive feedback to staff ensuring that
professional nursing practice is of a consistently high
standard.
Promote and actively participate in team development to
ensure a cohesive, positive and professional working
environment.
In liaison with the Clinical Nurse Manager actively participate
in recruitment processes and performance management,
including performance appraisals.
Liaise with Clinical Nurse Manager regarding performance
concerns of individual staff members to plan appropriate
performance management.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Demonstrate a
commitment to quality
of service delivery









Treaty of Waitangi




Health & Safety





Develop and foster an environment of continuous quality
improvement by demonstrating commitment to quality
improvement, risk management and resource utilisation.
Participate in audits/reviews of nursing practice and
procedures, and show a commitment to the Accreditation
and Certification process.
Participate in quality initiatives in liaison with Safety and
Quality Facilitator and Clinical Nurse Manager.
Ensure that all concerns, complaints and issues are referred
to the Clinical Nurse Manager and where appropriate to
support agencies i.e. Health advocate, Maori Directorate.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of evidence based
nursing practice.
Identify training and ongoing development opportunities for
staff in liaison with the Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse
Manager.
Actively lead and/or participate in policy
development/special projects/committees as directed by the
Clinical Nurse Manager.
Participate in senior nurse groups as appropriate in liaison
with Clinical Nurse Manager.
Demonstrate knowledge of legislation and actively source
data when needed, i.e. Privacy Act, Nurses Act, and New
Zealand Nursing Council.
Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement of Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures.
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes.
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner.
Attend the NDHB Maori Health Cultural Quality Programme.
Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed
in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
and annual objectives.
Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural,
ethical and legal safety.
Participate in the organisation’s Health and Safety
Management training programme.
Observe and promote safe work practices, rules and
instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard
management.
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practicing and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities may be amended from time to time, in consultation with
the employee, to meet any changing conditions and service requirements.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Desirable





New Zealand Registered Nurse
Current practicing certificate
PDRP at Expert Level
Computer literacy
Post Graduate certificate / diploma or
working towards
Experience
Essential
Desirable





Minimum 5 years post graduate
experience
Minimum 2 years experience in relevant
specialty area
The ability to work independently and be
a member of a team
Management / leadership skills
Demonstrated excellence in a leadership
role
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
Desirable






The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
to the health setting
Privacy Act (1993) and Health
Information Privacy Code (1994)
Health and Safety in Employment Act
(1992)
Knowledge of quality improvement
processes
Knowledge of current issues within
nursing and in the area of specialty

Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
New Zealand Council of Healthcare
Standards
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills








Ability to develop productive and positive relationships
Ability to lead and facilitate change
Communicates expectations & agreed goals, provides ongoing feedback & objectively
evaluates performance
Communicates effectively, listening and encouraging the viewpoints of others
Applies sound reasoning in problem solving / decision making
Ability to adapt and work effectively within a variety of situations, and with various
individuals and groups.
Confident and competent with decision making
Good time management skills
Personal Attributes






A strong patient/client focus
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work in an environment which is unpredictable and ever changing
Positive flexible collaborative approach
Role models professionalism
Ability to problem-solve and critically evaluate pros and cons of alternative solutions
Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: