Rural Hospital Medical Specialist | 12 Month Fixed Term

Rural Hospital Medical Specialist – Ashburton Hospital

Location: Ashburton, Canterbury | Parental Cover, Fixed Term Full Time (0.6 FTE) – 12 Months

About us

When you join Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, you become part of a national organisation that provides health services to more than five million people. Our ambition is to create a unified, equitable, and sustainable health system that delivers high-quality care to all New Zealanders.

Ashburton Hospital services the Mid-Canterbury Region and is an easy one-hour commute from Christchurch. The hospital delivers integrated rural health services to over 34,000 residents and serves as a key regional hub for acute assessment, inpatient care, and aged residential services.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Rural Hospital Medical Specialist (RHMS) to join our collaborative and supportive team in Ashburton on a 12-month fixed-term, 0.6 FTE basis starting August 2025.

As a RHMS, you will:

• Deliver best practice rural hospital services across Ashburton Hospital, Tuarangi Home, and wider community settings.
• Oversee patients in the Acute Assessment Unit and inpatient wards.
• Supervise and support RMOs, including active involvement in education using our state-of-the-art Simulation Suite.
• Provide leadership in clinical quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of an integrated model of care that strengthens collaboration across primary, secondary, and tertiary services.

You will also participate in the 365/7 on-call roster for SMOs and work closely with general practices and hospitals in Christchurch, Burwood, and Timaru.

Skills & experience

• You will be a Rural Hospital Medical Specialist, or possess comparable experience.
• Hold (or be eligible for) registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand – check your eligibility here.
• Demonstrate leadership in team-based care, medical education, and rural clinical excellence.
• Display strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to equity and continuous service development.

Ashburton offers a beautiful and accessible lifestyle – Mt Hutt ski field is just 30 minutes away, Lake Hood is perfect for water sports, and the nearby foothills are ideal for hiking and biking.

Benefits

• Work in a close-knit, multidisciplinary team committed to rural healthcare.
• Opportunities to shape the future of medical education and rural innovation.
• Flexible working arrangements and strong collegial support.
• Live and work in a friendly community with excellent access to outdoor recreation.

Our culture: What matters to us

Ko ngā tāngata, te mātua mahi – Putting people at the heart of all we do

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We foster a culture of trust, integrity, collaboration, and learning.

Apply now

Apply online or to find out more, contact: Amy Walker – Recruitment Specialist Email: Amy.Walker@cdhb.health.nz

Dr John Lyons – Clinical Director Email: John.Lyons@cdhb.health.nz

Please note: Applications via an agency will not be considered.

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai – Come join us!