Physiotherapist - Experienced Clinician

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 

Salary: Allied Health, Scientific and Technical Collective Agreement, Step 4 to Step 8 ($94,394 - $110,210), dependant on experience 

Based on our General Surgical ward, and working with a rotational physiotherapist, the caseload for this role is diverse including ENT, laryngectomy and tracheostomy management, acute amputees, vascular surgery, breast surgery, and complex upper and lower abdominal surgeries. The surgical clinicians are part of our cardiorespiratory team, working closely with colleagues on the ICU/HDU complex and our Heart and Lung Unit. The wider physiotherapy team covers all areas of the acute hospital from NICU to our Frailty Unit. 

Working alongside other senior team members, as an experienced clinician you will lead your service area, support and develop our rotational team members, and contribute to the growth and development of students. These roles provide opportunity to undertake service development, clinical audit, teaching, and training 

Our inpatient physiotherapy team at Wellington Regional Hospital treats patients across all specialities in the hospital. Cover can be required across specialties, as service need indicates. 

This role also includes on call and weekend working commitments, covering Wellington Regional Hospital – adult and paediatric patients. 

About the Team/Service Location 

The Wellington Physiotherapy Inpatient Team work predominantly in the acute setting at Wellington Regional Hospital. Our friendly, enthusiastic team includes coordinators, expert, advanced, experienced and rotational physiotherapists. Our team of physiotherapists work closely with patients and their whānau, surgeons, physicians, specialist nurses, allied health colleagues, and external agencies. 

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. 

This role works alongside our other experinced clinicians, leading the service in your area of clinical expertise  and interest. Our experienced clinicans work together to support our rotational staff and students, to grow and develop our workforce. 

About you 

We are looking for an enthusiastic experienced physiotherapist with drive and a passion for acute surgery.   Working with a diverse group of patients with significant health needs, you’ll demonstrate excellent clinical and communication skills and have a flexible, problem solving approach. We work closely as a team across the inpatient service (adult and paediatric), so inter-professional and inter-specialism skills are key. 

This role champions physiotherapy in the surgical space so we are looking for a passionate therapist, keen to grow the profile and standing of physiotherapy. 

• Minimum of 4 years post graduate experience
• Broad base of experience across surgical specialities, acutely deteriorating patients and pre/post surgery rehabilitation.
• Excellent clinical and communication skills 
• Flexible, problem solving approach
• New Zealand Registered Physiotherapist with Annual Practicing Certificate
• Able to share specific clinical knowledge, in formal and informal teaching settings, to physiotherapy, allied, nursing and medical teams
• Able to provide clinical leadership, support and mentoring for other staff and students.
• Team player, able to work collaboratively across physiotherapy and the multidisciplinary team 
• On call and weekend competence (adult and paediatric) essential
• Working knowledge of quality improvement, a desire to contribute to the team, and a commitment to the best possible patient outcomes
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth 

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