Orthopaedic Team Lead (RN, AT)
Orthopaedic Team Lead (RN/AT)
Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital
Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua is a modern surgical hospital serving the local community and the greater Bay of Plenty region. The hospital is characterised by a friendly, professional surgical nursing team, and offers credentialled medical practitioners and their patients access to superb facilities.
These include three advanced theatres, 22 inpatient beds in comfortable, well-equipped rooms, and a purpose-built day stay facilities. Surgical specialities include Orthopaedic and General surgery, Urology, Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, and Gynaecological surgery. The broader Rotorua campus is shared by Canopy Cancer Care.
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
Join Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital as our Orthopaedic Team Lead (RN/AT) and play a key role in supporting and developing our orthopaedic theatre team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced perioperative professional who is passionate about orthopaedics, clinical excellence and helping others succeed.
In this hands-on leadership role, you'll provide day-to-day coaching, guidance and support to team members while fostering a positive and high-performing team culture. Working closely with surgeons, clinicians and hospital leadership, you'll support staff development, champion best practice and contribute to continuous improvement across the service.
Maintaining a strong clinical presence, including orthopaedic scrubbing when required, you'll lead by example and help create meaningful moments for both patients and colleagues. Whether you're an experienced leader or a senior theatre professional ready for the next step, this role offers the opportunity to grow your leadership capability while remaining closely connected to clinical practice. We welcome applications from experienced Registered Nurses and Anaesthetic Technicians who are passionate about orthopaedics and developing their leadership career.
Based in beautiful Rotorua, this role offers the opportunity to build your career while enjoying one of New Zealand's most sought-after lifestyle destinations. With stunning lakes, native forests, geothermal attractions and a vibrant community, Rotorua provides the perfect balance of work and lifestyle. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including negotiated hours and roster patterns, for the right candidate.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Anaesthetic Technician, with a current practising certificate
- Extensive orthopaedic theatre experience, including recent orthopaedic scrubbing experience
- Passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others
- Leadership experience, or the desire to grow your leadership capability
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Commitment to a positive team culture and exceptional patient care
- Experience contributing to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable
- Expert PDRP (Level 4) or working towards this level is desirable
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
- Health & Wellbeing: Funded health insurance, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements and a Nursing Council of New Zealand-approved PDRP.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear. Our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
Driven by a strong ‘for purpose’ ethos, we think beyond financial quarters—planning for generations to come.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
