Registered Nurse - Inpatient Pain Service

Registered Nurse - Inpatient Pain Service

Waikato Hospital, Hamilton

Permanent part time, 72 hours per fortnight

Fantastic opportunity for an experienced Registered Nurse with a surgical nursing background to join our In-Patient Pain Service

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

If you are an experienced registered nurse with a surgical nursing background, and would like to explore the role of an inpatient pain nurse, nows your chance! This is a great opportunity to join our In-Patient Pain Service at Waikato Hospital.

Reporting to the Nurse Manager, Theatre & Anaesthesia your key responsibilities in this role will be:

• Contribute to the assessment, treatment and evaluation of pain management modalities used in our acute settings, which includes a regional block service
• Education of patients and staff

The interdisciplinary nature of this team requires the successful applicant to be able to contribute from a nursing perspective, to the team decision making processes and service delivery.

About the Team/Service

The Adult Inpatient Pain service is based within the Anaesthetic Department at Waikato Hospital. This is largely a nurse-led service supported by members of the anaesthetic team and pain physicians. The nursing team is comprised of a Nurse Practitioner, a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Registered Nurses.

Our hours of work are predominantly Mon-Fri 0800-1630 although occasionally we may require you to work on weekends.

Our patient cohort involves predominantly perioperative, burns and trauma patients, and those with complex pain issues from surgical and non-surgical specialties.

Whilst our pain service has no attending physiotherapists, we are closely connected to the Outpatient Pain Service which has a multidisciplinary approach and consultations around emerging complexities are available with the whole team at a weekly MDT. A psychologist with an interest in pain works alongside our team.

We focus on resourcing staff to equitably provide and facilitate:

• Safe administration of analgesia
• Effective pain management
• Timely recovery
• Optimal discharge plans for all patients

This will always involve a high level of clear communication. This may involve use of IV pain relief modalities e.g. ketamine, PCA/IV opioid titration, epidural infusions, a wide range of regional infusions, brief psychological interventions provided by nurses, and teaching both patients and staff, formally and informally.

It may also involve timely referral to other services e.g. Community Alcohol and Drug Services and Consult Liaison services.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here.

About you

To be considered for this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following skills and qualifications:

• Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Current annual practising certificate
• Bachelor level degree in Nursing
• Demonstrates commitment to customer focused service delivery
• Demonstrates highly effective communication skills and team work
• Great people skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to analyse data and present reports

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click Apply online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kendra Corey at Kendra.Corey@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

Job details

Job Reference: - WAI32687

Location: - North Island - Waikato - Hamilton

Job type: - Permanent Part time

Expertise: - Clinical - Nursing - Operating Rooms / Theatres

Closes: - 23-Sep-2026