Speech Language Therapist

Canterbury District Health Board; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Canterbury District Health Board is seeking a Speech Language Therapist to join the Burwood Hospital team on a permanent, part-time basis (0.6FTE, 24 hours per week). You will conduct assessments, manage and rehabilitate a range of communication and swallowing disorders, including videofluoroscopy involvement, within an interdisciplinary setting.

Registration with NZSTA and an Annual Practising Certificate are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation (required).
• Skills and experience in Cough Reflex Testing and Videofluoroscopy (essential).
• Experience with tracheostomy management (advantageous).
• Knowledge of dysphagia rehabilitation tools such as BISKiT and EMST (desirable).
• Strong assessment and clinical reasoning with goal-led interventions.
• Confidence using objective assessment tools, particularly Videofluoroscopy.
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting patients with complex comorbidities (advantageous).
• Registration with NZSTA and a current Annual Practising Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessments, evaluations and interventions in line with Speech Language Therapy standards, policies and procedures.
• Educate and support patients, their families/whānau, and your interdisciplinary team with relevant resources and clinical guidance.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Contribute to quality improvement across your allocated wards, the SLT service and the wider Burwood Hospital site.

Job description

• Permanent, part time position 0.6FTE (24 hours per week)
• Based at Burwood Hospital
• Registration with NZSTA and APC essential

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principlesof Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system thatserves all New Zealanders.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country’s largest employer,delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provideessential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders bydelivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

Our Speech Language Therapy team is an integral part of the interdisciplinary group at Burwood Hospital. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Older Persons Health & Rehabilitation, benefiting from strong professional support both on-site and within our wider community teams.

As a Speech Language Therapist, you will provide expert assessment, management and rehabilitation for a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. The role also includes involvement in our Videofluoroscopy service.

In this position, you will:

• Provide comprehensive assessments, evaluations and interventions in line with Speech Language Therapy standards, policies and procedures
• Educate and support patients, their families/whānau, and your interdisciplinary team with relevant resources and clinical guidance
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Contribute to quality improvement across your allocated wards, the SLT service and the wider Burwood Hospital site

About You

We’re looking for a skilled and compassionate clinician who is confident working within a dynamic interdisciplinary environment. You’ll bring a blend of strong clinical expertise, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to supporting patients in their rehabilitation journey.

Your skills and background will include:

• Experience working in Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation (required)
• Skills and experience in Cough Reflex Testing and Videofluoroscopy (essential)
• Experience with tracheostomy management (advantageous)
• Knowledge of dysphagia rehabilitation tools such as BISSKiT and EMST (desirable)
• Strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills, with the ability to integrate flexible, goal-led interventions
• Confidence using objective assessment tools, particularly Videofluoroscopy
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams
• Experience supporting patients with complex comorbidities (advantageous)
• Registration with NZSTA and a current Annual Practising Certificate

Working at Health New Zealand

Health 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.

Closing Date: Thursday, 24th September 2026