Clinical Coach – Dental / Oral Health Therapist

• Permanent 1.0FTE (40 hours per week)
• Based at Burwood Hospital, Supporting across Canterbury, South Canterbury & West Coast
• Use your clinical expertise to coach, inspire and grow confident Dental / Oral Health Therapists across our community services

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

Our Community Dental Service provides dental services to over 90,000 children aged 0-13 in Canterbury and South Canterbury and supports our colleagues on the West Coast. There are 90 front-line clinical staff who work with modern equipment in 22 mobile dental units and 13 dental clinics.

This supernumerary clinical education role focuses on coaching, mentoring, and supporting Dental / Oral Health Therapists and Dental Assistants across the Community Dental Service in  Canterbury and South Canterbury.

Working closely with new graduates, junior staff, new employees, and those returning to practice, you will help build confidence, competence, and strong clinical foundations. You will also support Dental Assistants through effective delegation, competency development, and scope-of-practice guidance.

The role plays a key part in workforce development, service quality, and equitable oral health outcomes for our communities

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Provide practical, workplace-based clinical coaching and support for dental/oral health therapists
• Support transition and development of new and returning clinicians
• Role model evidence-informed and culturally safe clinical practice
• Enhance training and competency frameworks for Dental Assistants
• Contribute to quality improvement and workforce development initiatives
• Promote Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and equity-focused practice
• Support as required for West Coast

About You

You are an experienced clinician and natural coach who enjoys developing others and strengthening clinical practice. You bring credibility, warmth, and cultural humility to your work, and are motivated by improving outcomes for both patients and colleagues. To be successful in this role you will also demonstrate the following:

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills
• Minimum 5 years post-graduate experience, with strong Dental Therapy scope expertise
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reducing health inequities
• Full, clean NZ driver’s licence
• Ability to travel away from home
• Postgraduate qualification and/or experience in clinical education, coaching, or adult learning is desirable
• Experience in professional supervision and workforce development is advantageous

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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert,  we encourage you to apply early.

Apply now

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