Speech Language Therapist - Adult Acute

• Christchurch Health Campus
• Hours of work ideally are Thursday and Friday 0800 - 1630
• Permanent part time role 0.4FTE (16 hours per week)

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

Kia ora!

We are searching for a highly skilled and passionate NZSTA registered Speech-language Therapist (SLT) to join our Haumanu Reo ā-Waha Speech-language Therapy team working with adults in the acute setting.

We are a dedicated Speech-language Therapy team working to provide high quality evidence based clinical care and innovative practice in a fast-paced tertiary acute care environment. Our team provides services to all clinical areas in the acute hospital setting, including but not limited to; general medicine, general surgery, respiratory, stroke, neurology/neurosurgery, orthopaedics, acute spinal, cardiology, cardiothoracics, ORL/head & neck cancer and critical care.

The Speech-language Therapy service offers a supportive team environment with experienced colleagues and a wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development. Instrumental swallowing assessments, including cough reflex testing, videofluoroscopy (VFSS) and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) are embedded in our daily practice and there are opportunities to upskill and further develop in these areas. SLT service delivery is also supported with the integration of a SLT Kaiāwhina (Allied Health Assistant) in the team.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Providing holistic and culturally safe Speech-language Therapy services within the acute care setting;
• Implementing assessment procedures according to Speech Language Therapy protocols and professional standards, including instrumental swallowing assessments;
• Establishing and implementing treatment plans and interventions in consultation with the multidisciplinary team, the patient and their family/whānau;
• Educating patients, their family/whānau, and the wider multidisciplinary team on relevant information to facilitate wellbeing;
• Working with colleagues to implement quality/service improvements and patient safety initiatives to improve patient care and meet the strategic goals of the organisation;

About You

Applications from clinicians with an interest and experience across any clinical areas within an adult acute service are welcome, however we are preferably seeking clinicians with experience and skills in general medicine, stroke, acute orthopaedics, neurology or neurosurgery. Skills in tracheostomy management and instrumental assessment including FEES and VFSS are highly desirable.

You will have a proven track record of working autonomously, as well as part of a high performing multi/interdisciplinary team. Having a genuine interest in working with patients and their whānau in the acute setting, aspiring as a life-long learner and being motivated to continue to work towards equity for our patients will make you a great fit for our team.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Your skills will include:

• Commitment to the provision of quality care for patients and their whānau;
• Demonstrated skills in the assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders in the adult population;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a supportive and reliable team member to ensure the best health outcomes for people;
• Self-awareness with strong reflective abilities and able to identify areas for growth and development;
• Autonomous caseload management and advanced skills in time management, prioritisation, flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to meet changes in clinical demands;
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team;
• 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;
• Experience in projects / initiatives which give effect to Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings;
• At least two years’ experience working in the acute hospital setting is preferred;
• Minimum Level 3 New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA) Videofluoroscopy competency is desired;
• Minimum Level 3 NZSTA Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) competency is desired;
• Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA) is essential

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.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

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 5th December. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay, Recruitment Partner on

⁠alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz ⁠