Advanced Clinician - MSK Pathway
Advanced Physiotherapy Clinician – for the National Orthopaedic MSK pathway
1.0 FTE Permanent role
Physiotherapy Outpatients
Allied Health - Specialty Medicine and Health of Older People Service
North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals
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
As an Advanced Physiotherapy Clinician, you will play a pivotal role in delivering advanced first specialist assessment and management of orthopaedic patients on the MSK pathway and provide support to the Outpatient Physiotherapy team.
This role will be focused on delivering first specialist appointments as part of the MSK pathway. This is a perfect opportunity for an advanced physiotherapist to gain experience of this pathway.
The Advanced Physiotherapy clinician is responsible for the clinical assessment, diagnostic workup, and identification of appropriate management pathways for patients referred to the Hospital Specialist Services Orthopaedic department via the Orthopaedic or Orthopaedic Triage Service referral pathways, both of which fall under planned care services. This is a non-interventional role focused on assessment and management.
You will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualised treatment plans, utilising advanced clinical skills and evidence-based practices. Your expertise will contribute to improving patient outcomes and enhancing overall quality of care.
Key functions include:
- Providing expert-level clinical assessments with high autonomy, requesting investigations and formulating differential diagnoses.
- Identifying serious, urgent, or emergent pathologies and escalating care as needed.
- Utilising evidence-based practices to guide management recommendations for surgical and non-surgical options.
- Promoting and demonstrating quality in clinical practice and service delivery through continuous quality improvement.
About the Team/Service/ Location
This role will sit within the Outpatient physiotherapy team based across both North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals and work closely with our Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner supporting this orthopaedic MSK pathway and the general Outpatient Physiotherapy team.
You will be joining an organisation that is forward thinking, innovative and values your contributions.
Health New Zealand – Waitematā is leading the way in the Northland region in digital innovation with electronic patient notes, e-prescribing and e-vitals and have strong links with our community and outpatient services.
About you
You are an experienced physiotherapy clinician with strong experience in orthopaedics and MSK. You’re a clear communicator and confident collaborator, with the interpersonal skills to work collaboratively amongst a multidisciplinary team.
Physiotherapists in New Zealand can obtain registration under three scopes of practice
- General Scope of Practice: Physiotherapist
- Advanced Practice Physiotherapist Scope of Practice: Physiotherapist
- Specialist Scope of Practice Physiotherapist
For this role you should be registered within any of the three scopes identified above and are working at an advanced practice level within a ‘defined field’ standard of Orthopaedics.
This is an emerging field of practice in Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and is equivalent to advanced clinical practice roles internationally.
All Physiotherapists are expected to hold a current Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) at all times, meet the expectations outlined in the Physiotherapy Standards Framework and comply with the Recertification Programme and Audit requirements of the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand (PBNZ).
For a copy of the full job description please click here.
Working for 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.
How to Apply
To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 29 June 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Esmari.Oosthuizen@waitematadhb.govt.nz
For queries regarding your application, please contact Lissa Crook, Recruitment Consultant at lissa.crook@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Job Reference: WDHB21673
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority for this position.
