Expert/Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist – MSK Orthopaedic Pathway

Canterbury District Health Board; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A health services provider is seeking an Expert/Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist to deliver specialized services on the MSK pathway in Christchurch and West Coast. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, enhancing patient outcomes through expert assessments and individualized treatment plans. Candidates must possess orthopaedics experience and relevant registrations. Apply by October 12th, 2025.

Qualifications

• Registered in any of the 3 scopes of practice.
• Experience in musculoskeletal pathway.
• Knowledge of the New Zealand Health sector.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert-level clinical assessments with high autonomy.
• Formulate differential diagnoses and identify urgent pathologies.
• Promote quality in clinical practice through continuous improvement.

Skills

Orthopaedics experience

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Decision-making in complex situations

Administrative skills

Education

Post Graduate Diploma or Master's degree

Current Annual Practicing Certificate

Tools

Evidence-based practices

Job description

Expert/Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist – MSK Orthopaedic Pathway

• Burwood Hospital, Older Persons Health andRehabilitation, Waitaha

Permanent 3.5FTE is available based in Christchurch and/or West Coast delivering the MSK pathway to bothWaitaha and Te Tai o Poutini. We are looking for both Expert and Advanced levelclinicians (Allied Health South Island Career Framework).

Health NewZealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti oWaitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all NewZealanders. Through integration andcollaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership,equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

As an Expert/AdvancedClinical Practice Physiotherapist (EACPP), you will play a pivotal role indelivering specialised physiotherapy services to patients on the MSK pathway.You will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to develop andimplement individualised treatment plans, utilising expert clinical skills andevidence-based practices. Your expertise will contribute to improving patientoutcomes and enhancing overall quality of care.

This role willbe focused on delivering first specialist appointments as part of the MSKpathway and will positively impact 2 of the 5 Health Targets - shorter wait times for first specialist assessment andshorter wait times for elective treatment.

The EACPP isresponsible for the clinical assessment, diagnostic workup, and identificationof appropriate management pathways for patients referred to the HospitalSpecialist Services Orthopaedic department via the Orthopaedic or OrthopaedicTriage Service referral pathways, both of which fall under planned careservices. This is a non-interventional role focused on assessment andmanagement.

Key functionsinclude:

• Providing expert-level clinical assessments with high autonomy,requesting investigations and formulating differential diagnoses.
• Identifying serious, urgent, or emergent pathologies andescalating care as needed.
• Utilising evidence-based practices to guide managementrecommendations for surgical and non-surgical options.
• Promoting and demonstrating quality in clinical practice andservice delivery through continuous quality improvement.
  

About the Orthopaedic Team Waitaha Christchurch

With over 18Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons and specialties in Spine, Shoulder, Elbow,Hand, Hip, Foot and Knee the Canterbury Orthopaedic Department see and assessesfor both the West Coast and Canterbury population.

About you

You are anexperienced expert/advanced clinical practice physiotherapist with strongexperience in orthopaedics and MSK. You’rea clear communicator and confident collaborator, with the interpersonal skillsto work collaboratively amongst a multidisciplinary team.

Physiotherapists in New Zealand can obtain registration underthree scopes of practice

•General Scope of Practice: Physiotherapist

•Advanced Practice Physiotherapist Scope of Practice: Physiotherapist

•Specialist Scope of Practice Physiotherapist

For this roleyou should be registered in any of the 3 scopes of practice and be working at an expert/advanced clinical practice level within a definedfield standard of Orthopaedics. This is an emerging field of practice in HealthNew Zealand Te Whatu Ora and is equivalent to advanced clinical practice rolesinternationally.

• AllPhysiotherapists are expected to hold a current Annual PracticingCertificate (APC) at all times, meet the expectations outlined in thePhysiotherapy Standards Framework and comply with the RecertificationProgramme and Audit requirements of the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand(PBNZ). You should hold current (or be able to be) credentialled againstthe Allied Health Advanced Practice framework. You may also have arelevant Post Graduate Diploma and/or (working towards) a Master’s degree.You should have demonstrated knowledge of the New Zealand Health sectorand an ability to build and sustain relationships with patients and theirwhānau.
• You should have experience withmaking decisions in complex situations where there is incomplete information orsolutions are not obvious and an ability to use initiative and workindependently.
• We are looking for adaptability,with a growth mindset and a real team player. Excellent administrative,organisational, time management, computer literacy and facilitation skills
  

Working for Health New Zealand

Health NewZealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for thepeople of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive sothat we are better positioned to understand and service our community. Wewelcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbowcommunities.

How to Apply

Applicationsopen to candidates who would work in Christchurch or the West Coast, please include your preferred FTE in your cover letter.

To applyplease click “apply now.” All applications must besubmitted through our online careers’ portal by 12 th October 2025.If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay, AlliedHealth recruitment specialist, [e-mail] or 021614839.

Permanent, Permanent/Full Time, Permanent/Part Time