Speech Language Therapist - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Acute Paediatrics

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 35,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Christchurch Hospital is seeking a dedicated Speech Language Therapist to join the NICU/acute paediatrics team. You will deliver holistic, culturally safe SLT services to babies and children in a tertiary setting, working within a multidisciplinary context.

The role emphasizes assessments, treatment planning with families, and ongoing professional development, with opportunities to advance skills in VFSS/FEES as needed.

Qualifications

• Two years' paediatric caseload experience including feeding and swallowing management
• Experience with paediatric VFSS/FEES is desirable
• NZSTA registration and current APC or eligibility to obtain (essential)

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic, culturally safe Speech Language Therapy services
• Complete assessments in line with professional standards, including instrumental swallowing assessments
• Develop and implement treatment plans in partnership with patients, whānau, and the MDT
• Educate patients, whānau, and colleagues to support wellbeing and safe care
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives
• Maintain up-to-date, evidence-based practice and engage in ongoing professional development

Skills

Paediatric experience

Feeding and swallowing management

Team collaboration

Cultural safety

Education

NZSTA registration + APC or eligible

NZ working rights

Job description

Speech Language Therapist - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Acute Paediatrics

• Part-time(20 hours per week/0.5 FTE) permanent opportunity
• Daysof work to be negotiated
• Utilise your passion for working with babies and childrenin a tertiary setting and develop your skills in an experienced team

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.

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and NZSTA registeredSpeech Language Therapist (SLT) to join our high performing Haumanu Reo ā Waha team, working with thepediatric population in the acute inpatient setting at Christchurch Hospital.

Our paediatric SLT team provides services across all paediatricclinical areas in the acute hospital setting, including neonatal intensive careunit (NICU), medical and surgical wards, high care and critical care. We alsowork within multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and provide individualoutpatient support for children with swallowing difficulties/dysphagia.

In this role you will be a key member of the multidisciplinaryteam working in neonatal care, and across the paediatric SLT service in linewith prioritisation guidelines. The NICU is an acute service providingsecondary/tertiary care to newborn babies born prematurely or withsurgical/congenital and medical complications following birth. The NICU iscurrently a 44-bed unit with refurbishment plans underway to increase thecapacity to 54 beds.

This role contributes to high quality, evidence basedclinical care in a fast-paced tertiary environment, supporting babies, childrenand their whānau during acute episodes of care. Collaboration is central tothis role - you will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to optimisefunctional outcomes and ensure services are responsive, culturally safe, andequitable.

If you are excited about workingwithin acute paediatrics and have existing skills and experience in thisenvironment, we want to hear from you.

Inthis role, you will:

• Provideholistic, culturally safe Speech Language Therapy services
• Completeassessments in line with professional standards, including instrumentalswallowing assessments
• Developand implement treatment plans in partnership with patients, whānau, andthe MDT
• Educatepatients, whānau, and colleagues to support wellbeing and safe care
• Contributeto service development, quality improvement, and patient safetyinitiatives
• Maintainup to date, evidence-based practice and engage in ongoing professionaldevelopment

You will be part of a vibrant, supportive, and highperforming team, with experienced clinicians available as valuable learningresources to support your growth in complex acute care practice.

• Bepart of an innovative, collaborative team with a strong culture oflearning
• Workin a tertiary acute hospital with broad clinical exposure
• Regularprofessional supervision and individualised coaching
• Opportunitiesto develop skills in VFSS, as appropriate to meet service needs
• Aworkplace grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and committed to equity,cultural safety, and inclusive care

About You

Having a genuine interest in working with babies,children and their whānau in the acute care setting, aspiring as a life-longlearner and being motivated to continue to work towards equity for our patientswill make you a great fit for our team.

You will bring:

• Acommitment to high quality, equitable care for patients and whānau
• Knowledgeand understanding of te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment toyour journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth
• Demonstratedskills in assessing and managing paediatric feeding and swallowing disorders
• Excellentcommunication and interpersonal skills
• Strongreflective practice and self-awareness
• Abilityto work autonomously and as part of a high performing MDT
• Effectivecaseload management, prioritisation, and adaptability
• Aminimum of two years' experience working with a paediatric caseload,including feeding and swallowing management
• Preferablyat least two years' experience in an acute hospital setting
• Experiencewith paediatric VFSS and FEES is desired
• Registrationwith the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association (NZSTA) and currentAnnual Practicing Certificate, or eligibility to obtain (essential)
• FullNew Zealand working rights

We look forward to hearing from clinicians who arepassionate about acute care, committed to evidence based practice, and eager togrow within a supportive, expert team.

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.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: PC4166318

Location:

South Island - Canterbury - Christchurch

Job type:

Expertise:

Clinical - Allied Health - Speech Language Therapist / Speech Pathologist