Senior Medical Officer - Nationwide

Department of Corrections NZ; Dunedin; Hybrid; NZD 176,000 - 250,000; Part time

Job summary

A correctional health services department is seeking a Senior Medical Officer based in Dunedin, New Zealand. This part-time role (20 hours per week) combines quality assurance work with clinical duties in a prison health centre. The ideal candidate will have experience as a general practitioner and a commitment to health equity for Māori. Applications close on 26 October 2025.

Benefits

Flexible location and hours

Opportunity to improve public safety

Commitment to inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• Vocationally registered general practitioner with high standards.
• Understanding of current equity issues faced by Māori.
• Experience in innovation and health care quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and service development.
• Conduct clinical work within a prison health centre.
• Support health equity for Māori.

Skills

General practitioner experience

Knowledge of Te Tiriti O Waitangi

Excellent communication skills

Commitment to quality improvement

Clinical leadership experience

Education

Relevant medical qualification

Job description

Salary range is $176,975 - $249,846 pro rata

• Flexible location and hours tailored to your lifestyle
• Blend clinical care with quality improvement leadership

Mō te tūnga |About the role

The Senior Medical Officer will work mainly regionally, with some national responsibilities. This part-time permanent role (20 hours per week) is split evenly between:

• 10 hours of quality assurance and service development work, supporting the Manager Medical Services
• 10 hours of frontline clinical work within a prison health centre, at a site most convenient for the successful candidate

We are very flexible with the home base location of all applicants, and the prison site for clinical work will be selected based on what is most suitable for the successful candidate. Ara Poutama's focus is to provide excellent prison-based health care, achieve equity for Māori and Māori health gain, alongside quality improvement and assurance of the primary care service.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Ara Poutama Aotearoa in a pivotal role. If successful, you will be joining high-performing Health Services teams who are committed to developing and embedding a Kaupapa Māori-based model of care into the heart of Health Services.

If you want to find out more about working with us, please click here .

We invite applications from experienced General Practitioners (preferably vocationally registered) who have an interest in prison medicine and in advancing health equity for Māori and can evidence the following skills and expertise:

• You will be an experienced general practitioner practicing to the highest of standards.
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti O Waitangi and an understanding of current inequities faced by Māori and a commitment to Māori health gain is essential
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven experience of commitment to innovation, quality improvement, safety and positive experiences within health care for patients
• Demonstrated understanding of a whole of system approach to improving Health for the wider community
• Clinical leadership experience preferred.
• An understanding of the multi-disciplinary team needed to deliver effective primary care

To be eligible for this role you must have the right to work in New Zealand, have a relevant medical qualification and registered (or eligible) with Medical Council of New Zealand. Also hold a current driver\'s licence and can travel regularly within the region.

The full salary range is $176,975 - $249,846.Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of ourHōkai Rangi strategy.

We valueinclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Applications Close11pm Sunday, 26 October 2025.

To apply and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailoredCV and a cover letterdescribing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work. If you want to find out more about a career with us visitourcareers page or email our team [e-mail]

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