Advanced Speech Language Therapist – Stroke Pathway

Part time 0.8fte, permanent position

Remunerations as per PSA Allied Health MECA guidelines 

Shape Stroke Care. Lead Excellence. Make a Difference.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Speech Language Therapist to play a key role within our specialist stroke pathway at Counties Manukau.

This is a unique opportunity to work across the continuum of stroke care, delivering expert assessment and intervention that directly impacts patient recovery, independence, and quality of life. You’ll be part of a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team committed to advancing stroke outcomes in one of New Zealand’s most diverse communities.

Why This Role Stands Out

Our stroke pathway is a dynamic, well-integrated service that spans acute, inpatient rehabilitation, and community transitions. While this role is based in Rehab, you won’t just treat patients—you’ll help shape how stroke care is delivered.

You will:

• Get an opportunity to reach across the full stroke journey, from early acute input through to rehabilitation and recovery
• Provide specialist expertise in communication and swallowing, supporting complex clinical presentations
• Contribute to a service that values innovation, evidence-based practice, and continuous improvement
• Collaborate within a high-performing interdisciplinary stroke team

Why Join Us?

We offer more than just a role—we offer a supportive environment where clinicians thrive:

• APC reimbursement
• Professional Development Allowance
• Structured supervision, peer review, and advanced training opportunities
• Strong focus on career progression and leadership development
• Visa support for international candidates

About the Role

This advanced position blends expert clinical practice, leadership, and service development within the stroke pathway.

This role will support to:

• Deliver advanced, evidence-based assessment and intervention for people with stroke
• Lead the management of complex communication and swallowing disorders
• Perform and interpret FEES and Videofluoroscopy (VFSS)
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and mentorship to SLTs
• Drive quality improvement, audit, research, and innovation within the stroke service
• Champion interdisciplinary collaboration and best practice care pathways
• Contribute to service planning, workforce development, and policy design

You’ll work in close partnership with the SLT Section Head, Professional Lead, and Advanced Clinicians to ensure excellence across the pathway.

About You

You are an experienced clinician who is passionate about stroke care and ready to lead.

Essential:

• NZ-recognised Speech Language Therapy qualification
• Current NZSTA APC (or eligibility)
• Minimum 6 years’ experience, including 3 - 4 years in stroke care
• Proven experience in clinical leadership, supervision, and service development
• Advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and bicultural practice
• Minimum of level 4 FEES and level 4 VFSS trained as per the NZSTA framework of clinical competencies

Make the Move

Join a service where your expertise will directly shape patient outcomes and service innovation. Whether you’re local or considering relocating, this is your opportunity to contribute to a leading stroke pathway in one of New Zealand’s largest and most diverse health settings.

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.

How to apply

To apply please click 'apply now'. All applications must be submitted through our online career’s portal by 15 June 2026. To review the position description, please click here.

For more information on this role, please contact Amy on amy.lin@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

At Counties Manukau Health people and their lives matter to us. We are a values based and inclusive organisation that is committed to delivering the best health outcomes for our community. To help us achieve this we need a workforce that reflects the population we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds who share our values and have a passion to work in our community and would greatly value seeing applicants from our Maaori and Pacific communities. We are also committed to our Disability Strategy, which focuses on people with disabilities; they are our patients, whaanau, community and our staff - all carefully considered in our action plan. Together we will improve the accessibility needs for everyone who has a disability. Our values are Valuing Everyone- Whakawhanaungatanga , Kind –Manaakitanga, Together –Kotahitanga, Excellent- Rangatiratanga. If these are your values too, then join us today.