Physiotherapist Advanced Practitioner - Paediatric Respiratory Outpatients

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 108,000 - 132,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury in Christchurch is seeking a skilled Physiotherapist to lead a Paediatric Respiratory Outpatient Service, primarily based at Christchurch Hospital. The role supports tamariki and whānau with long-term respiratory health, in outpatient and telehealth settings, with a Thursday clinic requirement.

You will develop advanced paediatric respiratory therapies, supervise junior staff, and contribute to multidisciplinary care with strong

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of clinical physiotherapy experience, with 3+ years in paediatrics or respiratory roles.
• NZ registered physiotherapist with APC current.
• Experience in respiratory or paediatric physiotherapy is highly desirable.
• Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and applying its principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessment and intervention for tamariki with chronic and acute respiratory conditions, primarily outpatient.
• Deliver education on airway clearance techniques, breathing retraining and exercise programmes.
• Support families and caregivers to understand treatment, equipment use, and home-based management.
• Complete individualised Respiratory Physiotherapy escalation plans for home and community use.
• Work with MDT members including paediatricians, nurses, dietitians, and in-patient physio teams.
• Provide telehealth and outreach follow-up care as appropriate.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Compassion

Family-centred approach

Ability to work autonomously and as a

Education

NZ Registered physiotherapist with current APC

Job description

Christchurch Hospital, Part time 48 hours a fortnight (0.6 FTE) permanent role, ideally Wed - FriDesignated role ' Salary starting at $120,356Join a specialist paediatric respiratoryservice supporting tamariki and whānau to manage chronic and acute respiratoryconditions in a variety of outpatient and telehealth settings.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in theprinciples of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health systemthat serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

We are looking for askilled and compassionate Physiotherapist to implement and deliver a PaediatricRespiratory Outpatient Service, primarily based out of Christchurch Hospital.This Canterbury | Waitaha regional role provides specialist assessment,treatment, and education for children and young people with a wide range of respiratory conditions, including cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, protracted bacterialbronchitis, neuromuscular and neurological conditions along with breathingpattern disorders.Working closely withthe paediatric multidisciplinary team, you will deliver outpatient care thatsupports long'term respiratory health, empowers whānau, and helps tamarikimaintain activity, participation, and wellbeing. Our outpatient servicescurrently operate Monday to Friday, 0800- 1630. Applicants will need to beavailable Thursdays to support a weekly multidisciplinary clinic.This is a rewardingand relationship'focused role with opportunities to develop advanced skills inpaediatric respiratory therapies, exercise prescription, airway clearancetechniques, and family'centred care.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessment andintervention for tamariki with chronic and acute respiratory conditions,primarily in an outpatient setting.
• Deliver education on airway clearancetechniques, breathing retraining and exercise programmes.
• Support families and caregivers to understandtreatment, equipment use, and home'based management.
• Complete individualised RespiratoryPhysiotherapy escalation plans for home and community use.
• Work collaboratively with In-patient paedsPhysio team, paediatricians, nurses, dietitians, and other MDT members.
• Provide phone telehealth and where appropriateoutreach follow up care, including communicating plans with other healthproviders, schools and services.
• Contribute to care plans, annual reviews, andlong'term respiratory management pathways.
• Develop the Paediatric Outpatient PhysiotherapyService, including referral criteria waitlist triage, KPI monitoring, trial ofnew or alternative respiratory devices, integrate evidence based clinical careand establish appropriate processes and procedures for regular practices.
• Supervise and mentor rotational physiotherapistsand final year physiotherapy students.
• Participate in peer review and supervisionstructure.

About the Service

This role is part of the Christchurch Hospital Physiotherapyteam, with over 60 roles across a large range of specialties and morespecifically sits within the Musculoskeletal & Paediatric cluster, a teamof approximately 20 physiotherapists. This cluster is a skilled andcollaborative team that prides itself on high'quality, evidence'based care anda culture of mutual support delivering effective physiotherapy across diverseclinical settings.

Why You'll LoveThis Role

Supportive and experienced paediatricphysiotherapy team Opportunities to further develop your specialistskills in respiratory care and paediatric physiotherapy Access to structured supervision, mentoring, andongoing development Meaningful, relationship'focused work withtamariki and their whānau A friendly and collaborative workplace with astrong commitment to clinical excellenceLive in a region offering an amazing lifestyleFor more information on living and working in Canterburyclick here

About you

• 5+ years clinical experience with 3+ relevant torole
• New Zealand Registered physiotherapist withcurrent APC
• Demonstrate an understanding of the significanceof and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiritiprinciples in a meaningful way in your role
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage confidently with children and whānau
• Clinical experience in respiratory or paediatric physiotherapy (highly desirable)
• Compassion, cultural responsiveness, and a family'centred approach
• Good clinical reasoning and the ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team

If you have strong respiratory skills and are enthusiasticabout developing paediatric expertise, we welcome your application - Supportwill be provided, including supervision, collaboration with peers working inthe Adult Respiratory Outpatient service and professional development opportunities.

Working at Health New Zealand

Working at Health New ZealandHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuringexcellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce thatis diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand andservice our community.

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