Clinical Nurse Specialist, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Permanent, full-time role based in Kaikohe in the Mid North

Bring your advanced nursing expertise to a new role improving addiction care and reducing methamphetamine harm across Te Tai Tokerau

Join us in delivering innovative, whānau-centred care and reducing methamphetamine harm across Te Tai Tokerau

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.

We are committed to achieving health equity for Māori and improving outcomes for priority populations across Te Tai Tokerau.

About the Role

Part of the Reducing Demand for Methamphetamine (RDM) programme, this role provides advanced addiction nursing care for tāngata whaiora with complex AOD needs, including methamphetamine-related harm and co-existing mental health presentations.

You will deliver flexible, whānau-centred care across community, outreach and hospital interfaces, including advanced assessment, treatment planning, withdrawal-risk management, stabilisation and care coordination.

As an integrated member of Te Ara Oranga, you will work across primary care, Mental Health & Addictions, AOD services, SBIRT, iwi and community providers, peer recovery and whānau supports to strengthen access and recovery outcomes across the Mid North.

As Clinical Nurse Specialist Addictions, you will provide advanced clinical practice and leadership across a range of settings, including:

• community clinics and outreach environments
• rural and remote locations
• hospital and inpatient interfaces
• primary care and partner provider sites
• telehealth and other flexible delivery settings

You will:

• undertake advanced addiction nursing assessment, clinical formulation and treatment planning
• support withdrawal management, medication management and short-term stabilisation within your scope
• provide specialist care for complex AOD, physical health and co-existing mental health presentations
• work in therapeutic partnership with tāngata whaiora and whānau
• coordinate integrated pathways and safe transitions between services
• provide clinical leadership, consultation, teaching and mentoring to strengthen workforce capability
• contribute to culturally grounded practice, quality improvement, pathway development and service evaluation

The role will deliver nurse prescribing. If you do not already hold Nursing Council of New Zealand prescribing authority, the service will support an agreed development pathway toward RN prescribing, subject to regulatory requirements, organisational approval and clinical governance arrangements.

About the Team/Service/Location

This role is part of the General Adult Community Mental Health and Addictions team, based in Te Tai Tokerau Kaikohe, in the Mid North. Our team delivers care to our rural and coastal communities. We are committed to the needs of whānau and hapu wellbeing to ensure both cultural and clinical excellence.

For more information on living and working in Northland click here

About you

We are looking for a registered nurse who brings:

• Current Nursing Council of New Zealand registration and an Annual Practising Certificate
• A relevant postgraduate qualification in mental health, addictions, advanced nursing or a related specialty, or progress toward an agreed postgraduate pathway
• Demonstrated advanced nursing practice in mental health and/or addictions, with the capability to practise at Clinical Nurse Specialist level
• Advanced clinical assessment, clinical reasoning and decision-making skills
• The ability to work with increased autonomy across multidisciplinary and cross-sector teams
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally safe practice and equitable outcomes for Māori
• Willingness and suitability to undertake a supported RN prescribing pathway if not already authorised
• A current full New Zealand driver's licence and flexibility to work across rural, community and outreach settings
• Experience in AOD treatment or withdrawal management, clinical leadership, Te Ara Oranga, rural practice, or integrated care models would be highly valued. Current RN prescribing authority is desirable but not essential.

Experience working within Te Tai Tokerau, Te Ara Oranga, or similar integrated service models would be highly valued.

What we offer

• Meaningful work that directly improves whānau wellbeing
• Strong clinical leadership and multidisciplinary support
• Professional development and Nurse Practitioner network support
• Cultural supervision and reflective practice
• Opportunities to shape innovative models of care
• The chance to work alongside passionate teams making real system change

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click apply now. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 1 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Michelle Apetera at NL-Jobs@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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