Speech Language Therapist - Southland Hospital (Invercargill) at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Southland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Speech Language Therapist – Southland Hospital (Invercargill) |Permanent, Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Salary: $74,842 – $104,466 (per MECA) + Kiwisaver

Whether you're a New Graduate building your foundation or an experienced clinician seeking scope and variety, Southland offers the rare chance to grow as a true generalist within a supportive, social, and highly collaborative team. You'll enjoy broad clinical exposure across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, with room to develop special interests — all within a region known for its friendly culture, affordable lifestyle, and outstanding access to the outdoors.

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

You will be providing safe and effective assessment and intervention across a mix of inpatient and community settings. This includes working with a wide variety of clinical presentations, including dysphagia, stroke rehabilitation, neurodegenerative conditions, and acquired communication disorders. Experience or interest in Video fluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) is advantageous, and support for development will be provided.

Your work will be embedded within a supportive MDT environment, partnering with medical teams, nursing, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, and allied health assistants to deliver coordinated and holistic care.

To ensure you are well supported as you grow your practice, you will have access to regular supervision, peer support, and (if applicable) access to our New Graduate Framework.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You'll be part of a skilled, welcoming SLT team recognised for high‑quality, evidence‑based practice, reflective learning, and strong MDT relationships. The Southland environment rewards generalists, offering meaningful variety with colleagues who back each other, share learning, and keep care patient‑ and whānau‑centred.

With beaches, trails, and Fiordland all within easy reach — and very little traffic — your workday finishes with real lifestyle freedom. 

About you

As a Speech Language Therapist, you will bring:

• A relevant qualification in Speech-language Therapy that is recognised and approved by the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) (essential).
• Member of NZSTA (essential)
• Competence in dysphagia assessment and management (or desire to develop)
• Strong clinical reasoning and reflective practice
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work actively and positively within an MDT
• Commitment to culturally safe practice and equitable outcomes
• A full NZ driver 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 31 May 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.