• Permanent full time (1.0FTE, 40 hours per week) opportunity based at Christchurch Health Campus
• Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA), with a current Annual Practicing Certificate is essential
• Grow your existing leadership and clinical skills as you take the next step in your career

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 searching for a superstar to join us as Expert Speech-language Therapist - ORL, in our Haumanu Reo ā-Waha Speech-language Therapy (SLT) team at Christchurch Health Campus! We offer a supportive team environment with dedicated colleagues, regular clinical supervision and a wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development.

This Expert SLT - ORL role is a rare and exciting chance to combine both clinical skills and leadership interest. The role provides an advanced level of allied health care and expertise both in direct care delivery and support to other staff to promote effective management and Speech-language Therapy practice within the speciality area of ORL; across Canterbury, Te Waipounamu and Aotearoa New Zealand.  The Expert SLT - ORL works primarily in the area of ORL (Voice, Head & Neck Cancer) with a focus on the delivery of high quality, evidence-based care to patients across both inpatient and outpatient settings. The role involves working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary comprehensive care team and building strong working relationships with key external stakeholders. Research, audit and the development of innovative models of practice are key elements of this role. There is also an expectation to deliver clinical care to patients within the general acute adult service as required, in line with prioritisation guidelines.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Providing expert clinical and professional practice and optimising the model of care
• Assisting the Clinical Manager in leading service planning and delivery
• Providing clinical leadership and enhancing the culture of excellence
• Providing direct delivery of a health care service including management of a clinical caseload primarily within ORL (head & neck cancer, voice and airway)
• Implementing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives to meet the strategic goals of the organisation
• Acting as a specialised clinical resource providing guidance, advice and education to patients, whānau/family, students, staff and the interdisciplinary team across the designated service areas
• Evaluating clinical practice through reflection, audit and outcome measures to continually improve the Speech-language Therapy service to patients and whānau
• Maintaining advanced clinical, cultural and professional standards and competencies across ORL

This Expert Clinician role is equivalent to Advanced Clinician roles within the greater Auckland area.

About You

The successful candidate will have at least five years working within an ORL/head and neck cancer service.  You will be have proven advanced skills in Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Videofluoroscopy, tracheostomy management, voice assessment and therapy, and Surgical Voice Restoration. In addition, you will have a proven track record in leading others and driving service development.

To be successful in this position, you will also need to demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated advanced skills in the assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders within ORL (head & neck cancer, voice and airway
• Self-awareness with strong reflective abilities and able to identify areas for growth and development
• Experience with clinical teaching/supervision, training and development of staff
• Self-motivation, independent, with a high level of initiative
• Experience in quality/service improvement and research activities
• 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
• Further clinical competencies as per the SOA (click position description to download)

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.

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 28th April 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz