Registered Mental Health Nurse

About the RoleAn exciting senior leadership opportunity is available within Acute Mental Health Services at Waikato Hospital. We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Associate Charge Nurse Manager (ACNM) to provide clinical and operational leadership within the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (CL) Service, and the wider Acute Services portfolio.This role sits within an integrated leadership structure across acute mental health services, supporting safe, responsive, and culturally grounded care delivery across hospital and crisis settings.As the Acute Services and Consultation Liaison Associate Charge Nurse Manager, you will work in partnership with the Charge Nurse Manager and alongside the CAHT Associate Charge Nurse Manager / Associate Team Leader to provide coordinated leadership across Acute Mental Health Services.While this role has a primary focus on Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, it contributes to the broader acute service leadership structure, supporting alignment of clinical practice, workforce capability, and operational processes across services.Key aspects of the role include:Supporting integration across hospital and crisis pathwaysStrengthening workforce capability, wellbeing, and professional developmentContributing to acute service development and system improvement Leadership and People Management:Provide visible, supportive leadership to staff within the Consultation Liaison serviceSupport recruitment, onboarding, and professional developmentFoster staff wellbeing, engagement, and retentionSupport performance development, coaching, and reflective practice Clinical Leadership:Provide senior clinical oversight for complex hospital-based presentationsSupport high-quality mental health assessment, risk management, and care planningPromote best practice across adult and paediatric hospital servicesRole model recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally safe practice Operational and Service Delivery:Support day-to-day operational coordination within Consultation LiaisonContribute to safe staffing, workflow management, and service responsivenessLiaise with inpatient teams, emergency department, and community servicesContribute to incident management, quality improvement, and audit processes Acute Service Leadership contribution:Support alignment of clinical and operational practice across Acute ServicesCollaborate with the CAHT Associate Charge Nurse Manager to strengthen acute pathwaysContribute to service redesign and system-level improvement initiatives Cultural Leadership:Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in leadership and service deliverySupport equitable and culturally responsive care for Māori and diverse communitiesPromote culturally safe practice and partnership within teams Click here to view the position description.

About Acute Mental Health servicesAcute Mental Health Services at Waikato Hospital include:Consultation Liaison Psychiatry ServiceCrisis Assessment and Home-Based Treatment Service (CAHT)These services operate under one overarching Charge Nurse Manager, supported by two Associate Charge Nurse Managers / Associate Team Leaders, reflecting a distributed leadership model across hospital-based and crisis care.The Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service provides specialist mental health assessment, consultation, and intervention across adult and paediatric medical and surgical wards.CAHT provides acute mental health assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term intensive support across the Waikato district, including emergency departments, community settings, and interagency environments.Together, these services form a critical part of the acute mental health pathway, supporting tangata whaiora with complex needs across hospital and community interfaces.Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato Mental Health and Addictions Services are committed to a culturally led, clinically underpinned model of care focused on equity, partnership, and improved outcomes for whaiora and whānau.The Waikato region is a dynamic mix of stunning scenery and cultural richness, providing a variety of experiences for every age.

Whether you're catching epic surf, discovering breathtaking underground wonders, or immersing yourself in the magic of a famous movie landscape, there's something for everyone to enjoy. For more information on living and working in Waikato click here Why join usInfluence acute mental health care delivery at a system levelBe part of an integrated acute leadership structureWork within a supportive and experienced leadership teamContribute to meaningful service improvement and workforce developmentJoin a values-based organisation committed to equity and wellbeing We offerComprehensive orientation and leadership supportAccess to professional development and leadership trainingClinical supervision and peer supportOpportunities to contribute to service innovation and quality improvementA workplace culture grounded in respect, collaboration, and whanaungatanga About youYou will be an experienced mental health nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for improving acute mental health services.You will bring:Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a valid APCSignificant experience in acute mental health settingsDemonstrated leadership experienceStrong clinical assessment and risk management expertiseExcellent communication, collaboration, and decision-making skillsA commitment to culturally safe, equity-focused careConfidence working within complex hospital systems and multidisciplinary teams Working at Health New ZealandHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kim Maskell on +64 7 839 899.We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.