POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Location:
Southern Cross Hospital, Wellington
Reports to:
Patient Care Services Manager
PURPOSE
The purpose of this position is to provide clinical expertise in the delivery of peri-operative
elective surgical nursing care including ICU/high dependency/complex patient care, and provide
clinical support throughout the pre and postoperative patient care areas.
Within the hospital setting provide care throughout the surgical continuum; preoperative,
intraoperative and post-operative phases for patients undergoing elective surgery – including high
dependency/ complex patient care. This includes history taking, health assessment and
education, the diagnosis of real and potential problems, planning care to minimise potential harm
and maximise health outcomes.
This is achieved by:
- providing specialist nursing care and expertise both in direct care delivery and in support
to other staff in the management of inpatient care
- working closely and collaboratively with medical specialists
- researching, evaluating, developing and implementing standards of nursing practice
- taking a key role in leading the development of pathways, protocols and guidelines
This role will work collaboratively with nurse managers, nurse educators and medical specialists
to actively support the hospital manager to achieve the strategic goals of Southern Cross
Hospitals specifically in mitigating clinical risk and maintaining high standards of quality nursing
care.
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal/External
Team Leaders
Hospital Manager
Infection Control Nurse
Patient Care Services Manager
Preadmission Nurses
Theatre Services Manager
Medical Specialists
Business & Support Manager
Chief Nurse Advisor
ICU Manager
Community Health Care Providers
Facilities & Procurement Coordinator
Health Funders
Safety, Quality & Risk Manager
General Practitioners
Nurse Educators
National Office Resource Team
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Suppliers
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Management of nursing care/ clinical capability
Takes a lead role in ensuring safe service delivery that is responsive to patient needs and
supported by appropriate nursing skill, knowledge and professional judgment.


Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge and assessment skills in surgical nursing
especially in the management of clinical emergencies and complex clinical situations
Acts in an expert consulting/ resource role in the management of the surgical patient
demonstrating clinical expertise and actively supporting staff in:

Providing planned nursing care to achieve identified outcomes

Undertaking comprehensive and accurate client assessments

Ensuring documentation is accurate and adequate to ensure continuity of care and
maintains confidentiality of information

Ensuring the patient and families have adequate explanation of the effects,
consequences and alternatives of proposed treatment options

Acting appropriately when faced with unexpected patient responses, confrontation,
personal threat or other crisis situations

Evaluating patient’s progress toward expected outcomes in partnership with patient

Providing health education appropriate to the needs of the patient within a nursing
framework

Reflecting upon and evaluating with peers the effectiveness of nursing care
Professional responsibility
Role models high standards of professionalism and undertakes a lead role in developing
and implementing processes that share knowledge, support and guide others in:






Ensuring nursing practice and conduct meet the standards of the professional, ethical and
relevant legislated requirements
Applying the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi/ Ti Tiriti o Waitangi to nursing practice
Directing, monitoring and evaluating nursing care that is provided by nurse assistants,
enrolled nurses and others.
Promoting an environment that enables client safety, independence, quality of life and health
Practicing nursing in a manner that the client determines as being culturally safe
Proactive in maintaining and enhancing own professional development
Professional development
Assists and supports the nurse educator in the development and delivery of education
that reflects identified learning needs specifically in the areas of clinical nursing care
including high dependency/complex care and emergency management.







Shares knowledge and expertise with all members of the health care team
Models expert skills within clinical practice area
Participates in and provides professional/clinical supervision
Provides constructive feedback regarding peers’ practice
Provides an environment that is conducive to learning
Maintains strong local and network links
Role models excellence in professional nursing practice
Interpersonal and interprofessional relationships
Role models excellence in interpersonal and therapeutic communication with patients,
other nursing staff and inter professional communication and documentation.






Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic interpersonal relationships with patients
including those with complex needs
Practises nursing in a negotiated partnership with the patient and their family and acts as an
advocate where and when possible
Communicates effectively with patients and all members of the health care team – both
internal and external to the organisation
Role models collaborative models of working and demonstrates expert skills in
multidisciplinary teamwork
Provides expert nursing input to multidisciplinary team discussions and decision-making
forums
Proactive in coaching and mentoring colleagues in advancing their clinical capability
Safety, quality and risk management/ quality improvement
Plays a key role in the provision of quality, effective and safe care in conjunction with the
clinical team to meet the service expectations and patient care needs






Uses the results of quality initiatives to improve practice.
Evaluates health outcomes and in response takes a key role in shaping clinical pathways,
protocols and guidelines in collaboration with other members of the clinical team
Takes a key role in the audit, review and/or development of local and/or national policies and
protocols ensuring they are evidence based and meet good practice standards
Identifies risks that could limit delivery of excellent quality healthcare in the hospital and
works with the appropriate clinical team to develop and implement appropriate action plans
that are operational and cost effective to the organization
Demonstrates a sound understanding of the Health & Disability Standards of New Zealand
Is involved in the development and review of quality plans as a member of the SQRM team
Business Acumen
Takes a lead role in the growth and sustainability of the hospital through the use of sound
judgment and knowledge.




Effectively role models Southern Cross Hospitals’ values
Actively participates within the hospital’s management team to ensure the strategic vision
and goals are achieved as outlined in the hospital business plan, within the context of the
wider Southern Hospitals network.
Plays a key role in the purchase and/or trial of clinical equipment and is consulted on
facilities as it pertains to the delivery of clinical nursing care.
Stays abreast of national and international trends and issues in regards to elective surgical
nursing care, relaying this throughout the local hospital and network to ensure the
organisation is positioned to meet the challenges of the modern healthcare environment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Qualifications
Minimum:

RN with current practicing certificate and scope of practice applicable to working in surgical
setting

5 years post-registration experience – 2 of those being in surgical nursing

Post-graduate certificate in clinical nursing practice or working towards. As an absolute
minimum, successfully completed a post-graduate clinical assessment paper or equivalent.

ACLS level 6

Expert level (circle 4) on PDRP or equivalent (or ability to attain)
Desired
 Post-graduate certificate in clinical nursing practice
 5 years recent post-registration experience in surgical nursing
 Post-registration experience in high dependency/ ICU/ CCU type settings
 Knowledge of computer systems to an intermediate level

Proven expertise within a surgical hospital environment
Skills
 High level of clinical expertise
 Technical expertise – [list technical skills required i.e. cannulation, phlebotomy etc]
 Ability to work within and to lead multidisciplinary teams
 Excellent problem solving skills
 Effective adult teaching skills
 Familiar with and demonstrates a commitment to risk management and quality
 Competent to an intermediate level with Information Technology and implementation strategy
 Familiar with the principles of project management and process reengineering
Personal Attributes
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
 Consistency and determination in working towards goals
 Successful in completing projects
 Ability to get on with others
 Adaptability/Flexibility
 Proactive by nature
 Supportive
 Change agent
 Able to work autonomously and as a team member as the situation requires
 Committed to ongoing self-development and further education.
NB: It is a requirement of employment that all nurses participate in the Southern Cross Hospitals
Ltd Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) at the circle/ Level mutually
agreed with the manager
Position holder’s signature:
______________________________________
Position holder’s name:
______________________________________
Date:
_________________
Manager’s signature:
______________________________________
Manager’s name:
______________________________________
Date:
_________________