Associate Charge Nurse Manager or Associate Team Leader - Crisis Assessment Home Treatment team

• Waikato Hospital
• Permanent – 80 hours per fortnight

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

We are seeking an experienced health professional to join our leadership team as an Associate Charge Nurse Manager (ACNM) or Associate Team Leader (ATL) within the Crisis Assessment & Home Treatment (CAHT) Team. Working alongside the Team Leader, you will provide visible day-to-day clinical and operational leadership across a busy and dynamic acute mental health service.

You will support staff to deliver safe, timely and high-quality care while contributing to effective patient flow, workforce coordination, clinical governance and continuous service improvement. This is a varied role requiring someone who can balance people leadership, clinical oversight and operational demands, while maintaining a strong focus on quality, culture and continuous improvement.

Partnership with Maaori is integral to the role, including building strong relationships with taangata whaiora, whaanau, Maaori staff and Takawaenga to support culturally responsive and equitable care.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Build and maintain a high performing team that upholds the culture, values, mission and vision of the service.
• Engage and work collaboratively with all stakeholders, particularly taangata whaiora and whaanau.
• Build strong relationships across Emergency Departments, inpatient mental health services, community mental health teams, general hospital services, Maori health services, police and key partner agencies.
• Foster a culture of openness and quality improvement, with taangata whaiora and whaanau at the centre.
• Coach and develop staff through regular feedback, professional development, performance conversations and reflective practice.
• Manage the systems, processes and resources that enable staff to meet the needs of the taangata whaiora in an efficient and effective manner.
• Contribute to quality improvement, clinical governance and service development.
• Support and develop a high performing team that reflects the values, expectations and strategic direction of the organisation.
• Support effective coordination of staffing, workload, clinical priorities and patient flow across acute mental health pathways.
• Support the Team Leader as required.

To view the position description for Associate Charge Nurse Manager click here or for Associate Team Leader click here.

About the Team

CAHT provides rapid assessment, crisis intervention and short-term treatment for people experiencing acute mental health distress, with a strong focus on providing care in the least restrictive environment and supporting alternatives to hospital admission wherever possible.

The CAHT CNM/TL and CAHT ACNM/ATL manage and lead the following teams:

• Crisis Team (24/7) Includes a dedicated night nurse based in the Waikato Emergency Department.
• Home-Based Treatment Team Providing community-based care as an alternative to hospital admission.
• Crisis Short Term Care Pathway Offering short term follow-up care post-crisis.
• Police Co-Response Team Working alongside NZ Police to provide joint intervention.
• Emergency Department Crisis Clinicians - working night shift in Waikato Hospital ED.

About Hamilton

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

• A registered health professional with a current annual practicing certificate.
• A minimum of 5 years post graduate experience in a mental health setting.
• An understanding of clinical governance and evidence-based practice.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication and negotiation skills including demonstrated ability to build productive working relationships with colleagues to achieve required outcomes.
• Ability to take a proactive role with other organisations to achieve sustainable outcomes for taangata whaiora.
• A current full drivers licence.
• Ability to display initiative and resourcefulness that will allow you to navigate the variety of challenges you could face
• Experience in leadership roles is an advantage

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 7 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ashlee Heymans at Ashlee.Heymans@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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