Physiotherapist - Acute

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, Full Time 

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 

You will be a physiotherapist (third year of practice onwards) that will work with people admitted to Wellington Hospital. The clinical responsibilities of this role will span the range of our medical inpatient service. 

With increased demand over the winter period, we have additional capacity to enhance allied health input across acute services. These additional resources aim to maintain a high standard of care for patients and their whānau during times of seasonal pressure. As a member of the acute team, the caseload for this role will be primarily within the medical stream, with a strong focus on discharge readiness and supporting safe, timely transitions of care.

Clinical Specialty and Skills 

This position provides physiotherapy assessment and intervention across acute inpatient settings, with a focus on short stay medical patients (ED/Medical Assessment and Planning Unit/Medical Winter Ward). The role also contributes to embedding early mobility initiatives across ward environments.

• Provide comprehensive physiotherapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation for patients with acute medical, respiratory, oncology, musculoskeletal, vestibular, and frailty related conditions. 
• Prioritise discharge focused interventions and contribute actively to complex discharge planning. 
• Maintain accurate and professional clinical documentation in line with organisational and professional standards. 
• Respond appropriately to acutely deteriorating patients in dynamic clinical environments.

The Physiotherapist will mentor and support rotational staff and undergraduate students to support the development of clinical skills, as well as routinely supporting colleagues in other clinical areas as the need arises. Participation in rostered weekend and overnight on call work, covering Wellington Regional Hospital, is a requirement of this role. 

This role requires comprehensive physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills to meet the physiotherapy needs of patients in a variety of inpatient clinical settings and multidisciplinary teams. Established clinical skills in treating a variety of acute general medical and oncology presentations are required. Management of the acutely deteriorating patients and complex discharge planning is also expected to be part of the role.

About the Team/Service Location 

The Wellington Physiotherapy Team work predominantly in the inpatient setting at Wellington Regional Hospital. Our friendly, enthusiastic team includes coordinators, expert, advanced, experienced and rotational physiotherapists.

We have a strong team ethos and believe that we are stronger working together. We work hard to sustain our strong team approach, striving for the best patient outcomes, whilst also enjoying a good work-life balance. 

As a team we embrace the values held by Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley including

• Manaakitanga- honesty, transparency and respect. We have a shared vision expectations and respect others skills and experience. 
• Kotahitanga- communication and accountability. We all have an equal voice and value constructive communication, we have each other’s back. 
• Rangatiratanga- we prioritise and support our own and each other’s growth, we strive to think outside the square to meet the needs of our patients and staff, we value innovation. 

About you 

• Minimum of 3-5 years clinical practice.
• NZ Registered Physiotherapist with current annual practicing certificate.
• Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand or international equivalent (desirable)
• Member of appropriate specialist interest group
• Training in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, highly desirable
• Clinical experience applicable to role, including:
  • frailty and complex medical issues
  • inpatient oncology care, including palliative management and discharge planning
  • assessment, treatment and onward referral/management of vestibular conditions
  • acute respiratory deterioration
  • short stay assessment and discharge planning
• Experience in clinical leadership, providing support and mentoring for other staff.
• The integration of evidence and research based practice into the management patients 
• Contributing to clinical/service improvements

Someone well-suited to the role will place a high value on the following:

• Focus on delivering high quality care for the patient/client/whānau.
• Self-motivated in developing clinical and professional practice.
• Working in a way that is aligned with best evidence based practice
• Collaborative and effective multi and interdisciplinary team work, and will actively support and promote this with their colleagues.
• The ability to use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development.
• A commitment and understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi (and application to health) and a willingness to work positively in improving health outcomes for Maori.
• Current full NZ driver’s licence with ability to drive a manual and automatic car (required for roles based in the community or where the role may be required to work across multiple sites). 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet resources and e-mail.
• A high standard of written and spoken English.

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

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. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 26 April. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Philip.Adamson@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.

Position description Apply now

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