Speech Language Therapist - Child Development Service

Location:  Hutt Hospital

Contract: Permanent, Part time 0.4 FTE (16 hours per week)

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence. 

About the Role 

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced paediatric Speech Language Therapist (SLT) to join and play an important role in our friendly and highly skilled team.  You will be part of an interdisciplinary child development service (CDS) providing specialist developmental assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children with disabilities and/or developmental delays.  As Speech-language Therapist   you will work both in the outpatient CDS setting and in the inpatient setting in Hutt neonatal unit and the paediatric ward. There are 2.00 Full Time Equivalents   SLT in the  CDS team. You will work with children with communication, feeding and swallowing difficulties and also work alongside other health professionals undertaking assessments for children referred for complex disabilities such as Takiwātanga/ autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). You will be assessing, diagnosing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders in infants and children, including physical and behavioural impairments. You will be performing instrumental dysphagia assessment (e.g., VFSS, FEES) and will be expected to undertake training and working towards attaining paediatric dysphagia competencies 

About the Team/Service 

We are a friendly, diverse and supportive multidisciplinary team providing specialist developmental assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children with disabilities and/or developmental delays. The team is comprised of the following disciplines: Speech Language Therapists, Visiting Neurodevelopmental Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Developmental Paediatricians, Social Worker, ASD Coordinator, administrator and Manager. 

Wherever possible the disciplines work closely with each other to provide integrated care for the children and families we see.  The team has strong relationships with other areas of the district including Children’s Health Service and the Allied Health Therapies teams.  Team members also work collaboratively and liaise with colleagues in the Education sector and other agencies where necessary. 

About you

• Minimum of 3 years clinical practice working as a Speech Language Therapist is desirable with specific experience working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders 
• Registered with NZSTA 
• Experience working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders
• Experience with instrumental dysphagia assessment (eg VFSS, FEES)
• Experience in use of standardised speech and language assessments such as CELF-4 and the PLS-5 Preschool Language Scales
• Knowledge of the neurodevelopmental norms, and ages and stages of development 0-16 years, in particular ages 0-3 years
• Experience in undertaking assessments for children referred for complex disabilities such as Takiwātanga/ autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) desirable 
• Experience in Administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) desirable
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Self-motivated, and a self-starter
• Strong team player
• Driver’s License is required for this role. 

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Grace.garnham@huttvalleydhb.org.nz 

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