Professional Lead - Physiotherapy
- Permanent, up to 1.0FTE Full-time (minimum 0.8FTE by negotiation)
- A leadership role with a clinical component.
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 welcoming applications from New Zealand Registered Physiotherapists who will provide professional, strategic, and operational leadership for our Physiotherapy service and operational leadership of Orthotics. You will be a valued member of the Allied Health, Scientific and Technical leadership team, partnering with Allied Health Professional Leaders and service leads across our organisation.
The Professional Leader of Physiotherapy will have an opportunity to shape and support a number of exciting initiatives within the Physiotherapy service by:
· Development of new models of care and service delivery for Physiotherapy services in line with clinical best practice across our district and across a range of services from birth onwards.
· Ensuring sound operational management of the service from budgets to recruitment to waitlist management.
· Collaborating with Allied Health leadership in the development and scoping of designated roles and implementation of an agreed career framework.
· Providing professional guidance and support for Physiotherapist within the team that you lead operationally and also to those employed as physiotherapists by other teams within the organisation.
· Using your clinical knowledge and strategic thinking around the future of physiotherapy services in the development and implementation of clinical services aligned and in accordance with the Pae Ora Act 2022.
For information on the salary band and the position description, please click here.
About the Service
Health New Zealand| Te Whatu Ora Taranaki employs approximately 350 allied health professionals across its services. You will be joining a friendly team that is diverse in skills and experience, a team that welcomes collaboration and that values the contribution of each team member. Our Physiotherapy team provide general and specialist services across inpatient wards, outpatient clinics and community settings based out of Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth and Hawera Hospital in South Taranaki.
For more information on living and working in Taranaki, click here.
About you
As a New Zealand Registered Physiotherapist, you will have relevant operational/management skills and leadership experience in addition to outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. You will have experience working and collaborating with other professions and services in order to optimise patient outcomes. You will be the type of person who leads by example and creates a team environment where people can thrive through high levels of engagement.
Qualities we are looking for:
· Promoting Physiotherapy to the wider audience – representing Taranaki both regionally and nationally
· Future thinking, look at incorporating service improvement projects that improve patient outcomes and effectively utilise resources
· Ability to drive the service forward, consider innovative ways of working to make the most of the resources available
· Personal skills/characteristics: approachable, supportive, team player, visionary, strategic, models integrity and empowers staff development within the team
· Can define specific roles (present and future) and develop role definitions
· Good communication skills. Taking initiatives to supporting change, listening to the different ideas and engages in open communication with the team.
· Innovative approaches to patient-centred care and team wellbeing
· The ability to assist clinically when needed.
About Taranaki
· Do you want to work for an employer known for their focus on employee wellness?
· Would you like to work with a passionate and innovative team?
· Join us on the slopes of Taranaki Maunga!
New Plymouth was named the most liveable city, for a population between 75,000-150,000, by the International Awards for Liveable Communities
Taranaki boasts some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural landscapes, like Mt Taranaki and many adventure activities. The rugged and wild coastline is home to more than 12 world-class surf breaks. Taranaki is a place where you can ski and surf in the same day. For a more relaxing experience, there are many walks (bush, coastal or mountain) as well as art trails, festivals and award-winning museums and galleries and a thriving café culture. Click here to read more information about Taranaki.
Te Whatu Ora Taranaki is a large organisation (2,400 staff) operating in the exciting, changing Health sector to a population of 116,600 people. To learn more about our culture, view the video on our careers page.
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 January 11th, 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Marc Fabris, Associate Director of Allied Health (Acting), at Marc.Fabris@tdhb.org.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.