Physiotherapist Expert - Acute Respiratory

• Christchurch Hospital, part time permanent role 0.4FTE (16 hours per week)
• Lead, influence and elevate acute respiratory physiotherapy
• Provide string professional support, ongoing development and influence service-wide practice

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 an experienced, motivated, and clinically exceptional Expert Physiotherapist – Acute Respiratory to join the physiotherapy leadership team at Christchurch Hospital. This senior clinical role provides advanced assessment, treatment, and service leadership across our acute respiratory and critical care pathways.

You will provide expert clinical input for patients with complex respiratory conditions, support service development, lead quality improvement initiatives, and contribute to workforce capability across ICU, cardiothoracic, general medical, and other acute specialties.

This is an exciting opportunity for a physiotherapist with advanced respiratory expertise to help shape service direction and champion excellence in patient care.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide advanced, highly specialised respiratory physiotherapy assessment and intervention for patients in acute and critical care
• Offer expert consultation and clinical leadership to wider physiotherapy and MDT colleagues
• Lead or contribute to respiratory care pathways, protocol development, and service improvement
• Support the education, mentoring, and supervision of physiotherapists, students, and interprofessional colleagues
• Contribute to research, evidence translation, and innovation within respiratory care
• Work collaboratively with senior clinicians, Allied Health leadership, and clinical teams across multiple hospital areas
• Support high-quality, patient-centred, equitable respiratory care

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

About the Team

This role is part of the Christchurch Hospital Physiotherapy team, with over 60 team members across a large range of specialities and more specifically sits within the cardiorespiratory and surgical cluster, a team of approximately 20 physiotherapists. This supportive and development focused cluster strives to bring the best out of each other to deliver the best patient care.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• A highly respected acute physiotherapy service with strong clinical leadership
• Opportunities to lead service development and contribute to region-wide respiratory initiatives
• A diverse, complex clinical caseload within a major tertiary hospital
• A collaborative, friendly, and values-driven team environment
• Work in a major tertiary hospital with excellent MDT collaboration
• Live in a region offering an amazing lifestyle

For more information on living and working in Canterbury click here

About you

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate the following:

• Significant experience and advanced expertise in acute respiratory physiotherapy
• Demonstrated capability in complex clinical decision-making
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills
• A collaborative approach and the ability to influence practice at service and system levels
• A passion for evidence-based practice and clinical excellence
• 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.

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 8th March 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.