Speech Language Therapist

New Zealand Government; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora–Taranaki base hospital in New Plymouth is seeking a Speech Language Therapist for a 12-month maternity cover. The role offers 1.0 FTE (80 hrs/fortnight) across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, with strong supervision and multidisciplinary support.

You will assess and treat diverse swallowing and communication disorders, with opportunities to develop VFSS/FEES skills. NZSTA/APC eligible applicants encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• NZSTA essential qualification.
• APC eligibility for NZ registration.
• All applicants should hold a Speech-language Therapy degree and be eligible for NZSTA membership.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and intervention across inpatient, outpatient and community settings.
• Collaborate with clients, whānau and other health professionals to deliver coordinated care.
• Develop skills in managing a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders.

Skills

Dysphagia care

Clinical reasoning

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Evidence-based practice

Communication skills

VFSS/FEES interest

Education

Speech-language Therapy degree

NZSTA registration eligible

APC eligibility

Job description

Speech Language Therapist Taranaki Base Hospital (New Plymouth) Maternity Cover 12 month Fixed Term (09 November 2026 05 November 2027), Full-time (1.0FTE, 80 hrs/fortnight)

Use and grow your Speech Language Therapy skills to support better health outcomes for our communityEnjoy the support that comes from working in a multi-disciplinary environmentHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

Whether you are a New Graduate building your foundation or an experienced clinician seeking scope and variety, Taranaki offers the rare chance to grow as a true generalist within a supportive, social, and highly collaborative team. You will enjoy broad clinical exposure across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Depending on your level of experience, there is flexibility to primarily focus on one of these settings.You will liaise closely with clients, whānau and other health professionals, and develop strong links with services as required, to deliver coordinated and holistic care. You will be independently completing safe and effective assessment and intervention across a mix of inpatient, outpatient and community settings. This includes working with a wide variety of clinical presentations, including dysphagia, stroke rehabilitation, neurodegenerative conditions, and acquired communication disorders. Experience or interest in Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS) and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is advantageous. You will also have access to regular supervision, peer support, if applicable the New Graduate Framework, as well as continued support for professional development.

You will need to have:

• A relevant qualification in Speech-language Therapy that is recognised and approved by the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) (essential)
• Current member or eligible for membership of NZSTA (essential)
• Annual Practising Certificate (APC) or eligibility for APC provided by NZSTA (essential)
• Working visa/NZ residence/citizenship (as appropriate)
• A full NZ drivers licence
• Understanding and/or application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Competence in dysphagia assessment and management (or desire to develop)
• The ability to work collaboratively with others to provide integrated care to clients with a diverse range of challenges
• Strong clinical reasoning, understanding and knowledge of evidence-based practice as well as reflective practice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to culturally safe practice and equitable outcomes
• Ideally, you will have two or more years of experience working in a health or disability field of practice, but we are open to applications from an early-career Speech Language Therapist

About the Team/Service/ Location

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora-Taranaki is a team of teams and employs approximately 350 allied health professionals across its services. You will be joining the Adult Speech Language Therapy service; a welcoming team that is diverse in skills and experience, a team that welcomes collaboration, and that values the contribution of each team member. Speech Language Therapists practice as part of multi-disciplinary teams in a range of medical, surgical, rehabilitation, outpatient and community settings to support people facing health challenges across the lifespan.

The region is known for its friendly culture, affordable lifestyle, and outstanding access to the outdoors. With beaches, trails, and Taranaki Maunga all within easy reach, your workday finishes with real lifestyle freedom.

For more information on living and working in Taranaki

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.