Registered Nurse

Introduction

Registered Nurses (4) casual, In-Patient Unit

Are you a Registered Nurse seeking meaningful work that makes a real difference in people’s lives? Do you have, or are keen to develop expertise in palliative care? This is an exceptional opportunity to join a dedicated, values-driven team at Otago Community Hospice.

We are seeking a committed Registered Nurse with strong interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in holistic, person-centred care. Based primarily in our In-Patient Unit, these casual roles also offer scope to participate in the wider service, including community-based work.

What We Offer:

• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to supporting your learning, wherever you are in your nursing career. Funded postgraduate study and ongoing education opportunities are available.

• A Supportive and Collegial Culture: Join a team grounded in respect, collaboration, and shared purpose. We work closely together across disciplines to deliver high-quality palliative care.

• Excellent Conditions and Remuneration: Competitive pay rates, aligned with Te Whatu Ora, and generous support for professional development.

• Time to Care Well: With a maximum nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:3, we support nursing practice that is holistic, relational, and attentive.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Have:

• Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate.

• A full, clean New Zealand driver’s licence.

• Available to work casual shifts on a rotating roster

Applications close: 5pm, Friday 18 September 2026

For further information, please contact Gina Berry on 03 473 6005.

If you are looking for a deeply rewarding nursing role within a service that truly values its people, we would love to hear from you.

Description

Clinically responsible to: IPU Team Coordinator

Professionally accountable to: Director of Nursing and Clinical Services

Purpose of the position

The aim of the position is to utilise the Registered Nurse (RN) knowledge and skill to deliver palliative care across settings, through:

• Utilisation of nursing knowledge and judgement in order to, provide care, and advise and support patients and whānau
• Address physical, social, emotion and spiritual needs of patients and whānau though collaborative practice with the interdisciplinary team
• Delegation and direction of enrolled nurses and health care assistants
• Undertake comprehensive assessments
• Develop, implement and evaluate care plans, in line with patient and whānau goals, in order to optimise quality of life
• Provision of information, interventions and support, based on scientific and professional knowledge, skill, and clinical decision making
• Facilitate continuity of care and services, through liaising with services and disciplines relevant to the patient’s care, to enhance service delivery and reduce duplication

Functional relationships

• Patients and Whānau
• OCH Staff
• Primary Palliative Care providers
• Health Authority Providers
• Relevant Government Agencies
• Relevant Community Organisations
• OCH Education Service
• Aged Residential Care Providers

Specific areas of responsibility

1. Provides Nursing Care

• Utilise nursing knowledge and skills to provide palliative care across a range of settings
• Undertake all rostered duties, including, morning, evening, night, and weekend duties
• At all times, practice within legislation, codes of rights, scope of practice and according to established policies and guidelines
• Undertake assessment in an organised and systematic way, utilising assessment tools and applying best practice guidelines
• Work in collaboration with patients and whānau to promote and deliver palliative care that addresses all identified needs, whether physical, psychological, social or spiritual, in line with goals of care
• Provide accurate, timely and concise written documentation and verbal communication to colleagues, other healthcare providers, patients and whānau
• Utilise, develop and contribute to robust and timely care planning, involving patients and whānau, demonstrating an understanding of and respect for the patient’s right to make informed decisions
• Utilise appropriate professional judgement(s) and escalate as required when care is complex
• Plan and coordinate ongoing care, ensuring appropriate care and follow up requirements are organised
• Honour Tikanga Māori and our commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi maintaining an effective multi-cultural perspective providing culturally appropriate care and culturally safe service

2. Education and training

• Provide education to patients, whānau and appropriate others to ensure provision of safe holistic care
• Participate in OCH education program
• Provide support to line managers as requested, ensuring staff, volunteers, visitors and students are provided with a comprehensive explanation of OCH services
• Act as a resource, or conduit to resources, for staff, patients, whānau and community health providers
• Support relevant research and education undertaken by individuals/teams

3. Self-management

• Attend to own professional and governing body requirements
• Identify own learning and development needs, take responsibility for seeking out and participating in training opportunities, requesting support where required
• Prioritise time and work effectively
• Manage all equipment and resources effectively
• Fully participate in OCH appraisal process
• Utilise effective self-care, including professional supervision
• Complete all OCH mandatory training and education requirements
• Maintain a PDRP portfolio
• Demonstrate and practice effective personal self-awareness identify potential risk to self, others or the organisation, manage or/and reduce the risk

4. Compliance / Quality / Audit / Risk

• Practice within professional standards, code of conduct, professional ethics and scope of practice. Provide culturally appropriate care at all times
• Comply at all times with OCH policies and procedures and take responsibility for own actions/inactions(if these conflict, seek advice from the line manager)
• Be familiar with, promote and ensure compliance with OCH quality, health and safety, and infection prevention and control policies
• Maintain an active role in OCH quality improvement programme
• Promote Hospice New Zealand standards and quality initiatives
• Participate in audits and research that are evaluating aspects of the service, including collecting statistics about activities and outcomes
• Contribute, as requested, to the development of periodic reports on service operations
• Demonstrate an understanding of risk, identifying emerging risks and ensuring prompt reporting of risk. Participate in the development and follow through of risk mitigation action plans
• Identify, take appropriate action and promptly report all incidents, accidents and/or near misses and security incidents.

5. Communication and team work

• Collaborate with other members of the interdisciplinary team both internal and external
• Role model OCH values and ensure these values are reflected in all actions and behaviour
• Role model good communication
• Participate in team planning as required
• Attend and participate in meetings as required
• Provide accurate, timely and concise written documentation and spoken information to leaders, colleagues, other healthcare providers, patients, families and whānau
• Participate in ongoing development of palliative care services, including provision of education and promotion of OCH service
• Understand fully responsibilities and accountability for making appropriate decisions when assigning care, delegating activities, directing, monitoring and evaluating nursing care provided by enrolled nurses and healthcare assistants

Updated: 19 June 2023

Skills And Experiences

Experience

Essential

• Recent, proven nursing experience and credibility in palliative care or relevant speciality
• Proven clinical assessment skills

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Hold a current annual practicing certificate with the Nursing Council of New Zealand as a Registered Nurse
• Postgraduate certificate in palliative care or a related speciality, or willing to study towards
• Hold or willing to work towards PDRP within 12 months of employment
• Computer literacy e.g. Word, Excel, electronic patient records etc.

Atttibutes

Essential

• Exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrate effective problem solving, decision making, time management, organisational and delegation skills
• Able to work independently as well as within the multidisciplinary team
• Self-motivated, innovative, adaptable, approachable and empathic
• Have professional credibility with peers and others
• Able to seek knowledge and skills as required
• Ability to cope with stress, conflicting demands and a heavy workload
• Ability to work alone and respond flexibly to changing situations whilst always seeking advice and guidance when necessary
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality assurance at a personal and service level
• Be able to provide care with due regard and sensitivity to the beliefs, values, cultural and ethnic background of those receiving the service. This involves special regard to Tikanga Māori, honouring our commitment to the Tiriti O Waitangi

Other

Essential

• Hold an unrestricted and clean driver’s licence

Updated: 19 June 2023