Speech-language Therapist (Paediatrics)

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital & Hutt Valley Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, Part-time (0.75 FTE, days / hours negotiable)

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 

We are excited to be advertising a permanent district wide paediatric health feeding role. This role is advertised at 0.75FTE, however additional hours up to 1FTE are expected to become available, so if a full time role is important you, please reach out to discuss.

In this role you will work across Wellington Regional Hospital and Hutt Valley Hospital helping care for our district’s littlest ones. You will support pēpi and tamariki with a wide range of feeding, swallowing and communication needs. Providing care that is compassionate and strengths-based. This role involves close collaboration with allied health, nursing, and medical teams across both sites. 

You will manage a varied caseload based in the Wellington Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Hutt Valley Neonatal Unit. You will also see pēpi and tamariki on medical and surgical children’s wards.  You will contribute to outpatient clinics, both independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams. Your role will involve paediatric videofluoroscopy (VFS) and flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

About the Team/Service Location 

You will work alongside another experienced paediatric SLT within a supportive team environment. You will build strong connections with the Child Development Service and the regional paediatric feeding Kaiako. 

We are a close-knit and sociable team, with a wide range of experience and interests. We provide cross-cover to support one another and are well connected with our wider allied health and child health whānau.

We offer a well-developed programme of continuing professional development, including involvement in SIGs, a district-wide quarterly wānanga, and access to a range of online and face-to-face learning opportunities.

We have a reputation for excellence and actively participate in quality improvement initiatives to further strengthen the service we provide to tamariki and their whānau.

About you 

Essential:

• Minimum of three years’ experience working with infants and children with feeding disorders related to complex medical conditions and/or behavioural feeding difficulties 
• Specific skills in:
• Independently assessing, diagnosing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders in infants and children
• Performing instrumental dysphagia assessment (VFSS and FEES)
• Recommending appropriate feeding equipment for the infant or child with feeding or swallowing difficulties
• Considering multiple factors influencing the wellbeing of the infant or child with complex needs 
• Articulating complexities and ethical implications to the MDT, and advising on SLT role and management options
• Assessing and managing acute onset communication disorders 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet resources and e-mail
• A high standard of written and spoken English 
• A member of the NZSTA with current annual practicing certificate 

Desirable:

• Experience managing bottle feeding in cleft 
• Approved assessor for  Enable (feeding equipment only)
• Training in supervision 

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 Liv Thompson-Williams at liv.thompson-williams@ccdhb.org.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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