Speech Language Therapist - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Acute Paediatrics

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury is seeking a NZSTA-registered Speech Language Therapist to join our paediatric team at Christchurch Hospital on a 0.5 FTE, part-time basis. You will support babies, children and their whānau in the acute inpatient setting, within NICU and MDT, delivering holistic therapy and contributing to multidisciplinary care.

The role focuses on neonatal and paediatric swallowing and communication needs, with opportunities to develop VFSS/FEES skills and

Qualifications

• NZSTA registered Speech Language Therapist with paediatric experience.
• Minimum two years paediatric caseload, including feeding and swallowing.
• NZ residency or NZ working rights and current practising certificate.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Speech language therapy

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Excellent communication

Culturally safe care

Autonomous practice

Education

NZSTA registration

Annual Practising Certificate

Tools

VFSS

FEES

Job description

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

Basedat Christchurch Health Campus

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 thepaediatric 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

In this role, you will:

• 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

Why join us?

• 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
• Be part of an innovative, collaborative team with a strong culture of learning
• Work in a tertiary acute hospital with broad clinical exposure
• Regular professional supervision and individualised coaching
• Opportunities to develop skills in VFSS, as appropriate to meet service needs
• Access to professional development opportunities
• A workplace 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

• A commitment 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
• Strong reflective practice and self‑awareness
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a high performing MDT
• Effective caseload management, prioritisation, and adaptability
• A minimum of two years' experience working with a paediatric caseload, including feeding and swallowing management
• Preferably at 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

by 29th October 2026.