Physiotherapist – Burns, ENT and Plastics

• Christchurch Hospital, Part time 44 hours a fortnight (0.55 FTE) permanent role – we are open to exploring school hours type rostering for this role.
• Join a team delivering complex and rewarding physiotherapy care to patients across a range of clinical specialties including Burns, Ear Nose and Throat, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology and Plastics
• Make a meaningful impact in acute care physiotherapy at one of Aotearoa’s largest and most dynamic hospitals

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

We are seeking a skilled, compassionate, and motivated Physiotherapist to join our Musculoskeletal and Paediatrics team at Christchurch Hospital. This specialist service provides acute and ongoing care for patients with a range of clinical presentations including Burns and Plastics, Ear Nose and Throat, Orthopaedic, Ophthalmology along with outliers on the ward.

In this role, you will work closely with an experienced multidisciplinary team to support early mobilisation, respiratory care, functional recovery, and acute inpatient rehabilitation. The caseload is diverse, challenging, and often significantly affects patients lives, offering the opportunity to make impacts on patient and whānau outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessment and intervention for acute inpatients
• Deliver early mobilisation, respiratory physiotherapy and functional retraining
• Contribute to positioning strategies for those with complex wounds
• Work closely with medical, nursing, occupational therapy, assistant staff and specialist teams
• Support coordinated discharge planning and ongoing rehabilitation needs
• Educate patients and whānau on self‑management, exercise, and long‑term recovery
• Participate in service development, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
• Supervise and mentor rotational physiotherapists and final year physiotherapy students
• Participate in peer review and supervision structure

You will be required to contribute to the weekend and on-call rosters.

About Us

This role is part of the Christchurch Hospital Physiotherapy team, with over 60 roles across a large range of specialties and more specifically sits within the Musculoskeletal & Paediatric cluster, a team of approximately 20 physiotherapists. This cluster is a skilled and collaborative team that prides itself on high‑quality, evidence‑based care and a culture of mutual support delivering effective physiotherapy across diverse clinical settings.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Work within a respected service with national and regional significance
• Supportive clinical leadership and strong opportunities for skill development
• Access to supervision, mentoring, and regular in‑service education
• A varied and challenging caseload with high clinical impact
• Be part of a friendly, collaborative, and values‑driven physiotherapy team
• Live in a region offering an amazing lifestyle

For more information on living and working in Canterbury click here

About you

• 3+ years’ clinical experience
• New Zealand Registered physiotherapist with current APC
• Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in your role
• Confidence working in acute hospital settings
• Compassion, resilience, and a patient‑centred approach

Experience in burns, ENT, plastics, and/or acute surgical/trauma physiotherapy is desirable, but motivated clinicians eager to develop in this specialty are encouraged to apply. Support will be provided, to upskill in these areas.

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 27th April 2026. 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.

Position description Apply now

Share