Speech Language Therapist - Paediatrics

• Fixed term part-time 0.4FTE parental leave cover through to July 2027
• Utilise your passion for working with children in a tertiary setting and develop your skills in an experienced team
• Hours of work are flexible across Monday - Wednesday, based at Christchurch Health Campus

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

Kia ora!

An exciting opportunity awaits! We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and NZSTA registered Speech Language Therapist to join our high performing Haumanu Reo ā Waha team, working with paediatrics in the acute inpatient setting at Christchurch Hospital.

This role focuses on the timely assessment, diagnosis, and management of paediatric feeding, swallowing, and communication difficulties within an acute hospital setting. You will work across a range of clinical areas, including medical and surgical wards, high dependency and critical care units, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Specific service areas will be aligned with your experience, competencies, and skills, alongside service requirements.

Working in a fast-paced tertiary environment, you will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care, supporting patients and their whānau during acute episodes. Collaboration is key - you will partner closely with the multidisciplinary team to optimise functional outcomes and ensure care is responsive, culturally safe, and equitable.

The position is based at Christchurch Health Campus; however, you may be required to work across the wider district as needed.

This is a fixed-term position covering parental leave for approximately 12 months.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Providing holistic and culturally safe Speech-language Therapy services within the acute care setting
• Implementing assessments according to Speech-language Therapy protocols and professional standards, including instrumental swallowing assessments
• Developing and implementing treatment plans and interventions in consultation with the patient and their family/whānau, and the multidisciplinary team
• Educating patients, their family/whānau, and the wider multidisciplinary team on relevant information to facilitate wellbeing
• Working with colleagues to implement quality/service improvements and patient safety initiatives to improve patient care and meet the strategic goals of the organisation

 About You

Having a genuine interest in working with patients and their whānau in the acute 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.

Your skills and experience will include:

• Commitment to the provision of quality care for patients and their whānau
• Knowledge of te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
• Demonstrated skills in the assessment and management of paediatric feeding and dysphagia
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a supportive and reliable team member to ensure the best health outcomes for children and their family/whānau
• Self-awareness with strong reflective abilities and able to identify areas for growth and development
• Autonomous caseload management and excellent skills in time management, prioritisation, flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to meet changes in clinical demands
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• At least two years’ experience working in an acute hospital setting is preferred
• Experience with paediatric videofluoroscopy is preferred
• Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA) is essential

Working for 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 for the role please click “apply now” on our careers page. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Wednesday 8th July. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Position description Apply now

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