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Palliative Care Specialist– Fixed Term
Palliative Care Specialist– Fixed Term
Christchurch | Fixed Term, 1st December 2025 – 27th July
2026 | 0.7 FTE plus on call
Make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their whānau at a pivotal time.
Join a highly respected, compassionate, and collegial palliative care team in the South Island’s largest district. This is your opportunity to bring both skill and heart to a role where your work truly matters.
What we offer:
- A supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team environment
- Opportunities to lead, teach, and contribute to service development
- Access to ongoing professional development and research opportunities
- A beautiful, affordable lifestyle in Ōtautahi Christchurch – close to mountains, beaches, and vineyards
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
This is a fixed-term position from 1st December 2025 through 27th July 2026, providing cover across inpatient, aged residential care, and community palliative care settings.
As a Palliative Care Specialist, you will provide expert clinical care to patients with life-limiting illness. You’ll work as part of a well-established and collaborative team, participating in shared care with primary and specialty services to ensure patients and their whānau receive the best possible care.
As a service, we are also open to being creative in how we provide this cover – so if you are available for only part of the above period, or are a Nurse Practitioner/have equivalent expertise in specialist palliative care, we would consider your application.
You will also have the opportunity to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education, quality improvement initiatives, and service development across the region.
About the Team | Canterbury Integrated Palliative Care Service
Our interdisciplinary palliative care team provides services across Canterbury Hospitals, Nurse Maude Hospice Inpatient Unit (11 beds), Aged Residential Care Facilities, and community settings. This role will be predominantly working across the Inpatient Unit, Aged Residential Care, and community teams, based at the Nurse Maude site.
We are passionate about delivering holistic, equitable, and culturally safe care. The team includes Medical Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Allied Health professionals, volunteers, and administrative support.
For more information on living and working in Christchurch click here.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Fellowship of the RACP or equivalent, with specialist training in palliative medicine OR Nurse Practitioner scope of practice with experience in specialist palliative care
- Vocational registration (or eligibility for) with the Medical Council of New Zealand (for Specialists) or Nursing Council of New Zealand (for Nurse Practitioners)
- Demonstrated experience in providing specialist palliative care services
- A commitment to equity, cultural safety, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles
- Collaborative team spirit and excellent communication skills
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 serve 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.
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.