ICU/HDU Senior House Officer Annual Recruitment 2026 at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waikato, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Role: Senior House Officers Critical Care 2026/2027 Training Year, based at Waikato Hospital
• Permanent Fulltime
• Have you completed PGY2 or equivalent? Are you ready for an exciting opportunity for 2026?
• Be a part of a busy but supportive team

 

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

Applications are invited for the 2026/2027 training year for Senior House officers in Critical Care at Waikato Hospital. Candidates who have completed two years post graduate hospital experience including a variety of surgical and medical experience will be considered. Waikato Hospital has 550 general inpatient beds, performs in excess of 34,000 surgical procedures per year in the 24-theatre operating suite, and sees an average of 220 emergency department presentations per day.

 

If you are an overseas doctor, would you please visit the Medical Council of New Zealand web site to ensure that your qualifications meet their criteria for registration to practice medicine in New Zealand. 

 

Please note - it is your responsibility to provide three current references. To print off the referee report, please click on the "Reference form" icon below.

Please attach completed references with your application: Reference form

 

The direct link to their self-assessment page is: www.mcnz.org.nz/get-registered/registration-self-assessment-tool/

 

For more information on the Critical Care role click here

 

Link to Position description: ED/ICU SHO Position description

 

You will need to complete the six questions to ascertain whether you are eligible for registration in NZ. If you do not have access to do the self-assessment test on-line you can contact the MCNZ by telephone: +64 4 384 7635.

 

 

About the Team/Service

The Critical Care Department at Waikato Hospital is the tertiary provider for Intensive Care to the Midland region of New Zealand. The Waikato ICU is a 16-bed facility opened in 2013, providing all major tertiary services including a major trauma centre and the second largest cardiac surgical centre in New Zealand. We provide neurosurgical and regional burns care in addition to a busy general and paediatric intensive care, catering to the needs of 1500 ICU patients and almost 3000 HDU level patients each year. We operate a retrieval service by both air and road for critical care patients and a large contingency of cardiac patients.

We are a training unit with CICM accreditation. Learn more about our service here.

 

 

About the Location

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

 

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Field days and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

 

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

 

 

About you

• Hold a General Scope of Registration with Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) if you are a NZ/AU Graduate.
• Have at least 2 years post graduate experience and hold General Registration, if you are from UK or any other comparable health system country.
• Have completed Internship (2 year) and General Registration, if applying from Ireland.

 

At present, the SHO is based within the “open" High Dependency Unit working with patients who require a higher level of monitoring and nursing care than is available on the general wards and are managed by their primary team. In the near future, this open HDU will be merged with the ICU to form Critical Care. The SHO will work across both lower and higher acuity critical care patients.

• Duties will include general care aspects and liaison with primary teams with house officer duties. 
• There are frequent shift rotations into the ICU where the SHO is part of the wider critical care team.
• The SHO works closely with the HDU Registrar (a new role) who manages low dose vasopressin and some non-invasive ventilation, with learning opportunities and support for the SHO.

 

 

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 online” or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal before 11:59 pm on 9 June 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ekeraam Jones ekeraam.jones@tewhatuora.govt.nz

 

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