Physiotherapist - Inpatient and Surgical Assessment Planning Unit

• Physiotherapist - Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital
• Permanent, Full – Time, 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE)

• Ready to take the next step in your physiotherapy career? Join a dynamic acute inpatient team working across acute surgical wards - including Surgical Assessment and Planning Unit (SAPU), orthopaedics, general surgery, surgical subspecialties, and critical care - where you can apply your expertise across orthopaedic, surgical, and respiratory care while supporting the development of others.
• Work within a supportive multidisciplinary environment with strong professional development, mentoring, and opportunities to contribute to service improvement and clinical leadership

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 Experienced Physiotherapist, you will play a key role within the Surgical Assessment and Planning Unit (SAPU), supporting early assessment, optimisation, and care planning for patients progressing through surgical services.

In addition to SAPU, you will work across our acute surgical physiotherapy service, including:

• Orthopaedics (trauma and elective)
• General surgery
• Surgical subspecialties (e.g. vascular, including amputations)
• Post-operative patients in HDU and ICU

You will deliver high - quality, patient - centred assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation across the surgical continuum - supporting patients from early presentation through to post - operative recovery and discharge.

Working closely with patients, whānau, and the multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to improved patient flow, timely intervention, and equitable health outcomes.

Alongside your clinical work, you will:

• Support and mentor rotational physiotherapists and students
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives
• Provide clinical leadership within ward and critical care environments

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

Our physiotherapy and wider allied health teams are dynamic, collaborative, and passionate about delivering high - quality care. We are committed to engaging patients and their whānau, supporting self - management, and enabling people to adapt and thrive following illness or injury.

You will be part of a diverse and supportive team spanning acute and sub - acute services, with access to ongoing professional development, supervision, mentoring, and training. Our Physiotherapy Professional Lead provides guidance and support to help you grow your clinical expertise and career.

For more information on living and working in Hawke’s Bay click HERE

About you

As an Experienced Physiotherapist, you will:

• Hold a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (or equivalent)
• Be a New Zealand Registered Physiotherapist with a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• Have a minimum of 2 to 5+ years’ clinical experience in an acute hospital setting (orthopaedic, surgical, respiratory and / or ICU experience preferred)
• Demonstrate strong clinical reasoning, communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships
• Be passionate about working in a fast - paced environment and supporting the development of others
• Hold a clean, full New Zealand driver’s licence

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 careers’ portal by 30th June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact vacancies@hbdhb.govt.nz

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 employees will be given preference and priority for this position.