Physiotherapist Expert - Health of Older People

• Christchurch Hospital, Full time permanent role (40 hours per week)
• Designated Expert role – Salary starting at $117,420
• Lead, influence, and elevate physiotherapy care for older adults across acute, rehabilitation, and frailty pathways

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 highly skilled and experienced Expert Physiotherapist for our Health of Older People (HOP) role at Christchurch Hospital. This advanced clinical role is responsible for providing expert physiotherapy input across services supporting frailty, delirium, dementia, falls, rehabilitation, and complex medical presentations in older adults.

You will play a key role in shaping best practice, delivering advanced assessment and intervention, supporting staff capability, and contributing to service development across the inpatient setting. Your clinical expertise will support older people to maintain independence, mobility, and wellbeing during and after hospital admission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a clinically advanced physiotherapist who is passionate about improving outcomes for older adults and influencing system‑wide care.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced physiotherapy assessment and intervention for older adults with complex health, mobility, and frailty-related needs
• Provide expert consultation, leadership, and mentorship to physiotherapy and broader MDT colleagues
• Lead or contribute to development of clinical pathways, guidelines, and quality improvement initiatives
• Support workforce capability through supervision, education, and coaching of junior and senior physiotherapists
• Guide complex discharge planning and support smooth transitions across acute, rehab, and community services
• Contribute to research initiatives, evidence‑based practice, and service innovation
• Promote equitable, culturally responsive care aligned with Te Whatu Ora priorities and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Participate in peer review and supervision structure

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 medical specialties and neurosciences cluster, a team of approximately 20 physiotherapists. This supportive and patient centred care focused cluster strives to bring the best out of each other to deliver the best patient care. Additionally, this role forms part of our physiotherapy leadership team which delivers operational and clinical leadership across the department.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Opportunity to lead and drive excellence across HOP physiotherapy services
• Work within a well-respected team supported by senior clinicians and Allied Health leadership
• Meaningful, impactful work supporting older adults across Waitaha Canterbury
• A collaborative, values‑driven environment committed to high-quality patient care 
• Live in a region offering an amazing lifestyle

   For more information on living and working in Canterbury click here

About You

You will hold NZ Registration and a current APC as well as be able to demonstrate the following: 

• Extensive experience in Health of Older People, geriatric rehabilitation, general medicine, or frailty services
• Advanced clinical reasoning and confidence managing complex presentations
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills
• Ability to influence practice across teams and support service development
• 5+ years’ clinical experience 
• 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 Thursday 7th May. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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