Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern – Christchurch, South Island Christchurch Hospital, full time permanent role, includes rostered weekend days Providing expert physiotherapy care for critically unwell patients Lead complex physiotherapy practice in a high acuity ICU environment, supported by a strong clinical team, shape critical care pathways Health 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 We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Advanced Physiotherapist to join our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Christchurch Hospital.
This senior clinical role provides advanced assessment, treatment, and leadership within a high acuity environment that delivers care to some of the most complex and critically unwell patients.
Our ICU is a busy tertiary service providing comprehensive critical care, including trauma, cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, medical, and complex surgical caseloads.
As an Advanced Physiotherapist, you will contribute expert respiratory care, early rehabilitation, and support to ensure high quality and equitable outcomes for patients under intensive care.
You will be a key leader within the physiotherapy team, supporting service development, evidence-based practice, and capability building across the workforce.
Key Responsibilities Deliver advanced physiotherapy assessment and treatment for critically unwell patients in ICULead and model expert respiratory physiotherapy, early mobilisation, and rehabilitation practices Provide clinical leadership, guidance, and consultation to physiotherapy and MDT colleagues Contribute to pathway development, clinical guidelines, and quality improvement initiatives Support education, mentoring, and supervision of physiotherapists and students Participate in service planning Champion evidence-based practice, innovation, and continuous improvement in ICU physiotherapy.
There will be a requirement to contribute to the weekend and on-call rosters.
About the Team This role is part of the Christchurch Hospital Physiotherapy team, with over 60 team members across a large range of specialities and more specifically sits within the cardiorespiratory and surgical cluster, a team of approximately 20 physiotherapists.
This supportive and development focused cluster strives to bring the best out of each other to deliver the best patient care.
Why You'll Love This Role A highly skilled and supportive acute physiotherapy service Opportunities to lead service innovation and contribute to region-wide critical care initiatives Access to comprehensive professional development A dynamic caseload with exposure to complex, tertiary-level clinical presentations A collaborative, values-driven team environment Live in a region offering an amazing lifestyle For more information on living and working in Canterbury click here About You To be successful in this role you will demonstrate the following: Extensive experience in acute respiratory physiotherapy and critical care High-level clinical reasoning and confidence managing complex patient presentations Strong leadership, communication, and teaching skills A collaborative and proactive approach to interdisciplinary team working A commitment to equitable, patient-centred care Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in your role.
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 serve our community.
We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply To apply please clickapply now.
All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by3rd March 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jayatalex.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
