Health Care Assistant Emergency Department Nelson HCA

Health Care Assistant ED Nelson Hospital

Permanent role

Variety of FTE on offer, please state in your application letter your preferred FTE

Shifts are rotating and rostered, Monday - Sunday

Previous healthcare experience is preferred

You'll never have an uneventful shift in the Nelson Emergency Department

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

As a Health Care Assistant, you will be part of our dedicated nursing environment with full support. Your role is to work within the team to assist nursing staff in care delivery, one-to-one patient observation and other tasks as directed.

We have multiple permanent positions, rostered and rotating Monday to Sunday.

Our shift times are Morning Shift H, Afternoon Shift H and Night Shift H.

Our team is focused on providing excellent quality care and we are committed to improving the experience of patients and their whanau.

About the Team/Service

Te Whatu Ora (Nelson Marlborough) is the main health provider for the Te Tau Ihu, the top of the south. Nearly 3,000 strong, we are Nelson's and Marlborough's largest employer, supporting the health and wellbeing of over 150,000 citizens across the region.

Our main locations are Nelson and Wairau Hospitals, and the Richmond and Marlborough Health Hubs, but we are spread across the region and service all parts of the community. Our work can be challenging, but we are up for it. We have a great team, and we work hard to make a difference. We value integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork.

ED is both a rewarding and diverse workplace with multiple opportunities for learning. We have around 34000 patient presentations per annum across the lifespan. We focus on excellent, quality care and are committed to improving the experience of patients and their whanau.

Exciting changes are underway in our Emergency Department as we prepare for a major refurbishment to meet the growing needs of our community. The redevelopment will increase our bed capacity to 29 and introduce modern features designed to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing. Isolation bays with negative pressure and anterooms opened on 4 November, marking the first milestone in this transformation. Additional improvements include dedicated mental health rooms, a welcoming whānau room, and expanded staff areas. Completion of the full development is expected by March 2026.

About You

We are looking for people with a mature outlook, the ability to get on with a wide variety of people and who have excellent communication skills.

You will need the ability to work in a flexible and methodical manner, demonstrate honesty and reliability, and use appropriate initiative.

Experience within the health sector is preferred, but is not essential as full training will be provided.

Qualifications

Essential

Year 11 NCEA level 1 English (or equivalent)

Year 11 NCEA level 1 Maths (or equivalent)

NZQA level 3 qualification (or equivalent)*

Desirable

Home Carer Certificate (or equivalent)

Mandatory requirement

• NZQA Level 3: New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing - Health Assistance Strand, if not previously obtained, is to be commenced once orientations have been attended.

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 now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by If you have any general questions please contact the nursing recruiter on or for more role specific questions please contact Vicki Bijl CNM ED Nelson on

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