Speech Language Therapist - ICU

• 6 month full time fixed term opportunity (1.0FTE/40 hours per week) in the critical care setting
• Based at Christchurch Health Campus
• Utilise your passion for working within the acute care setting and continue to develop your skills in an experienced team

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, motivated, and NZSTA registered Speech Language Therapist to join our high performing Haumanu Reo ā Waha team, working with adults in the acute inpatient setting at Christchurch Hospital. 

This role encompasses providing timely assessment, diagnosis, and management of communication and swallowing disorders within critical care, including specialised intervention for patients with tracheostomies. The role also supports clinical care across all adult areas within the acute setting, depending on service need and skills/experience, including (but not limited to): general medicine, general surgery, respiratory, stroke, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopaedics & acute spinal, cardiology & cardiothoracics, ORL/head & neck cancer.

Our critical care unit is a 26-bed unit covering all medical and surgical specialties, including spinal, major trauma, neurosurgery, ORL, burns and paediatrics. The critical care unit has an established and progressive Allied Health presence, including integration of Allied Health Assistants into service delivery. This role will be supported by a team of Speech-language Therapists who work across critical care, as well as the Speech-language Therapy Regional Allied Health Critical Care Educator.

This role contributes to high quality, evidence based clinical care in a fast-paced tertiary environment, supporting patients and their whānau during acute episodes of care. Collaboration is central to this role - you will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to optimise functional outcomes and ensure services are responsive, culturally safe, and equitable.

This role is primarily based on the Christchurch Health Campus; however, may be required to work across the wider district as needed. 

In this role, you will:

• Provide holistic, culturally safe Speech Language Therapy services
• Complete assessments in line with professional standards, including instrumental swallowing assessments
• Develop and implement intervention plans in partnership with patients, whānau, and the MDT
• Educate patients, whānau, and colleagues to support wellbeing and safe care
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives
• Maintain up to date, evidence-based practice and engage in ongoing professional development

Why join us?

You will be part of a vibrant, supportive, and high performing team, with experienced clinicians including an Advanced ORL clinician and a Critical Care Educator available as valuable learning resources to support your growth in complex acute care practice.

• Be part of an innovative, collaborative team with a strong culture of learning
• Work in a tertiary acute hospital with broad clinical exposure
• Regular professional supervision and individualised coaching as appropriate to role
• Opportunities to develop advanced skills in VFSS, FEES, cough reflex testing, and tracheostomy management, as appropriate to meet service needs
• Integration of a Kaiāwhina (Allied Health Assistant) to support service delivery
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Competitive salary and excellent organisational benefits
• A workplace grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and committed to equity, cultural safety, and inclusive care

About You

Having a genuine interest in working with patients and their whānau in the acute care setting, aspiring as a life-long learner and being motivated to continue to work towards equity for our patients will make you a great fit for our team.

You will bring:

• A commitment to high quality, equitable care for patients and whānau
• Knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
• Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA) and current Annual Practicing Certificate, or eligibility to obtain (essential)
• Demonstrated skills in assessing and managing adult communication and swallowing disorders
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong reflective practice and self-awareness
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a high performing MDT
• Effective caseload management, prioritisation, and adaptability
• At least five years’ experience in an acute hospital setting is preferred
• Experience working in a critical care setting is preferred
• Level 4 (or above) competencies in VFSS, FEES, and tracheostomy management are preferred
• Experience working with patients who are mechanically ventilated is highly desirable

Our preferred applicants will have experience in critical care; however we welcome applications from clinicians with experience across any adult acute clinical areas.

We look forward to hearing from clinicians who are passionate about acute care, committed to evidence based practice, and eager to grow within a supportive, expert team.

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 14th May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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