Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.

Our lecturers and health researchers are regarded as experts in their fields, frequently directing global research projects designed to better the lives of New Zealanders and the world, and in turn passing this knowledge on to our students.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The New Zealand National Eye Bank (NZNEB) is a non-profit organisation, partially funded by the Ministry of Health, primarily dedicated to providing corneal tissues for corneal transplants to New Zealanders. It is based in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Auckland, School of Medicine, Grafton opposite Auckland Hospital.

The Eye Bank Clinical Manager is an integral role within the Eye Bank Team to provide clinical management for the Eye Bank and provide training and clinical oversight for the eye bank coordinators and NZNEB technical officer. In addition, the Clinical Manager will independently perform eye donor assessment, consent, surgical, technical and administrative duties of the New Zealand Eye Bank to supply donated eye tissues for transplant and research in New Zealand. On the job training is provided where required.

The role requires excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with donor families, medical staff, and partnering agencies. The Clinical Manager will have to routinely deal with deceased donors and newly-bereaved families, and it is essential the successful candidate is compassionate and caring at all times.

Reporting to the NZNEB Business Manager, you will be joining a small team comprising five collaborative, and supportive professionals and flexibility will be required to fulfil rostered on-call duties and the ability to work independently is essential.

Key elements of the position involving a combination of interpersonal, surgical and technical skills are:

• Coordinating referrals of potential eye donors by liaising with medical staff, discussion with donor relatives to obtain consent for donation, and assessment of donor medical history
• Surgically retrieving eye tissue from deceased donors, processing, storage, testing and evaluation of eye tissue
• Maintenance of transplant booking schedules and distribution of suitable eye tissue to hospitals for transplantation
• Conformance to quality system requirements for all procedures, and maintenance of records and documentation
• Assistance in developing and implementing eye donation training programmes within hospitals and the community, involving presentations and resource development.

For further details about this role please refer to the Position Description

This is a Full Time 37.5 hours per week, 12 month fixed-term position with the potential to become permanent. The salary range for this role is between $80,000 - $87,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications.  In addition, paid car parking, on-call and overtime payments will be provided.

He kōrero mōu | About you

This position would suit a motivated, empathetic individual with a relevant tertiary qualification who ideally can demonstrate experience in the nursing, biomedical or health service field. A full driver’s licence is essential, as travel is required.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Ability to maintain a high level of discretion and protect patient confidentiality at all times demonstrating sound judgment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to provide excellent service, with a collaborative approach to problem solving, high level of attention to detail, good listening and completion of accurate documentation.
• Flexibility will be required as there is a requirement to perform paid rostered on-call duties outside standard business hours
• Experience in working with stakeholders in hospitals, health care organisations or community groups
• Some basic medical knowledge of disorders and diseases, and surgical/ or technical laboratory skills would be advantageous

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

The New Zealand National Eye Bank, with five members of staff, is located within the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, where strong clinical and research links are maintained. The Eye Bank provides over 300 corneas for transplant throughout New Zealand each year, and over 200 other tissues for eye surgery.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
• Professional development programmes
• Generous parental leave allowance, childcare and a number of other discounts on internal and external services.

For more information please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 27th July 2022 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Please reach out to Suhayl Mohammed via [email protected] for more information. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Overseas Applicants

In response to COVID-19 the New Zealand Government imposed travel restrictions but have recently announced a five-step plan for a phased border re-opening. This phased re-opening will take some time and this may alter the nature of the standard interview process for offshore candidates, particularly at the on-site interview stage. To see how this might affect your application and for more information and updates on the border restrictions and phased re-opening, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website or the New Zealand Government's official Covid-19 website.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz