Speech Language Therapist

• Casual position located at Christchurch Health Campus 
• Registered member of New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA)
• Utilise your passion for working within the hospital setting and 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 dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

The Haumanu Reo ā-Waha Speech Language Therapy team at Christchurch Health Campus is looking for an enthusiastic NZ Registered Speech Language Therapist to join our team to work in a casual/locum role.

We are a dedicated Speech Language Therapy team working to provide high quality evidence based clinical care and innovative practice.  The Speech Language Therapy service offers supportive team environments with experienced colleagues and a wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development.

The adult Speech Language Therapy team provides a service to all clinical areas in the acute hospital setting, including, but not limited to; general medicine, general surgery, respiratory, stroke, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopaedics, cardiothoracics, oncology, ENT/head & neck cancer and ICU. We also provide videofluoroscopy and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) services. The casual role may cover any/all of these areas, depending on the successful applicant’s clinical experience, competencies and skills, as well as the needs of the service.

As this is a casual opportunity the days/hours associated with this role will be flexible to meet service needs.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Provision of Speech Language Therapy services within clinical areas as appropriate to your skills/experience and as required to meet service needs;
• Implementing assessment procedures according to Speech Language Therapy protocols and professional standards;
• Establishing and implementing treatment plans and interventions in consultation with the multi-disciplinary team, the client and their family/whanau;
• Educating clients, their family/whanau, and the wider multi-disciplinary team on relevant information to facilitate wellbeing.

About You

We are seeking an experienced Speech Language Therapist to join our team in this casual position. We would love to hear from you if you have the following skills:

• Demonstration of cultural responsiveness, a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to the provision of quality care for patients
• Strong skills in the assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a supportive and reliable team member to ensure the best health outcomes for people
• Independent management of a caseload and advanced skills in time management, prioritisation, flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to meet changes in clinical demands
• The ability to work collaboratively across the multi-disciplinary team
• At least 2 years experience working in the health setting
• Experience and competency in videofluoroscopy is preferred
• Experience with Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is desirable
• Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA) is essential

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Sunday 27th April. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz