Medical Officer - Quality, Patient Safety and Risk at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Medical Officer – Quality, Patient Safety and Risk

Otago/Southland

• 0.5 FTE (20hrs per week) permanent opportunity

 About the Role

This is a unique opportunity within the Quality and Clinical Governance Directorate for a medically qualified professional looking to build a career in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety.

Working within the Quality, Patient Safety and Risk team, you'll contribute to organisation-wide initiatives that enhance the delivery of safe, high-quality, and person-centred care.  

• Participate in patient safety activities, including incident reviews and improvement planning.

• Contribute to clinical governance, risk management, and organisational assurance processes.
• Analyse clinical and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Work alongside clinical leaders, managers, and multidisciplinary teams across the organisation.
• Access structured mentoring, development opportunities, and exposure to senior leadership and governance forums.

About You

You are a medically qualified professional with a passion for improving healthcare systems, patient safety, and quality of care. An effective communicator and collaborative team member, you bring strong analytical skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to continuous learning.

You thrive in complex environments, enjoy working with diverse stakeholders, and are motivated to develop your leadership capability while contributing to meaningful organisational improvement.

• Hold a medical degree and are eligible for medical registration in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application in healthcare.
• Have excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Bring strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with confidence working with data and reporting tools.
• Show initiative, adaptability, and a genuine interest in quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical governance.

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 Sunday 27 September 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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