Physiotherapist – Emergency Department

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital 

Service: Allied Health Early Response Team – ED 

Contract: Fixed term (minimum 7 months, to be discussed further with suitable applicants), full time (1.0 FTE / 80 hours per fortnight) Rostered and Rotating, Service operating Mon-Sun 7am to 8pm 

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 

Stimulating, interdisciplinary position available for vibrant, future focused physiotherapist; that would like to build their experience and looking for an opportunity to work within a collaborative model of patient care.

You will join our Allied Health Early Response Team. The team works as an essential member of the Emergency Department (ED) in Wellington Hospital. 

The purpose of the Allied Health Early Response Team is to work alongside clinical staff to provide a holistic rapid response to a patient’s care and support needs. By providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work assessments and services, Allied Health support medical teams to put in place rapid treatment/therapy and short-term package of services that supports patients when they are discharge from hospital care. 

This is a unique and diverse team that works with an interdisciplinary approach. The team works mainly in ED and can extend to patient’s homes, but also across MAPU and Medical wards as required to follow through with short stay patient plans. The focus is to provide patient centred care, by the right discipline, at the right time and in the most appropriate location. We believe that the right support at the right time facilitates and support patient’s recovery in their own home. 

About the Team/Service Location 

As part of Te Whatu Ora – Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, Allied Health teams work across the continuum of care – in community settings, in outpatient clinics, and inpatient wards, to support and enable people to live well.

The setup of this new ED based team across the winter period is to support the ongoing development of the Allied Health Response in ED and respond to the Shorter Stays in ED targets. 

Our team is committed to early intervention, safe and efficient patient flow, and ensuring every person who comes through our Emergency Department or acute services receives compassionate, timely, patient centred care. You’ll join a supportive, forward thinking team that values innovation, professional growth, and shared problem solving.

Wellington Regional Hospital, based in Newtown, is the major tertiary hospital for the lower North Island. With a modern campus, strong teaching and learning culture, and close links with the University of Otago and Victoria University, WRH is a vibrant place to grow your career. Wellington itself offers a unique blend of urban culture, harbourside living, and easy access to the outdoors—making it an ideal base for both work and lifestyle.

About you 

You will need to have: 

Essential 

• A relevant graduate qualification
• Current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate registration
• Current Full New Zealand driver’s license 
• A commitment to translating evidence into practice.
• A commitment to biculturalism. 
• An understanding of healthcare in New Zealand. 

Desired

• 5 years’ experience working in the hospital and specialist services 
• Knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures. 
• Knowledge of ACC and MOH health funding streams.
• Prioritise using time management and delegation skills. 
• Demonstrate ability to facilitate team working. 

You will be able to:

• Work as effective team member.
• Be comfortable to work in and develop in an interprofessional model 
• Show evidence of ongoing learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way to your role. 

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. 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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