Physiotherapist - ICU

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 seeking a physiotherapist with critical care experience for our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) position. In this role you will be part of the acute surgical team of physiotherapists at Waikato. As an ICU physiotherapist, you will be expected to assess and treat patients both in critcal care and on the acute floors providing effective treatments to help prevent deterioration and to help patients on their recovery journey.

As a successful candidate, you will be creating clear physiotherapy management programmes to help these patients with their recovery to get onto their next destination. The role involves taking a full caseload as well as being a mentor and supervisor for rotational physiotherapists and students.

This position involves all aspects of physiotherapy practice in an academic tertiary hospital setting in one of New Zealand's fastest growing regions. We offer peer review, supervision, continuing education and professional development, comprehensive online information and an excellent library of resources.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct thorough assessments of patients' physical conditions, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal systems to diagnose, treat and manage their impairments.
• Develop individualised treatment recommendations, including referrals and self-management plans so that patients receive the right care where they go.
• Educate patients on your assessment findings, their rehabilitation needs, and self-management strategies to encourage active participation in their recovery process.
• Work closely with doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care and facilitate coordinated treatment plans.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans, in compliance with health regulations and confidentiality standards.
• Participate in ongoing professional development through training, workshops, and staying updated with the latest physiotherapy practices and evidence-based research to ensure high-quality patient care.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Service

The Physiotherapy service has over 100 staff including Physiotherapists, assistants and administrators that work across the large geographical area that is Waikato region. We have staff based at Waikato Hospital, our other rural hospitals : Thames, Te Kuiti, Tokoroa and Taumaranui. We also have staff located at our many community bases throughout the Waikato District. Our vision is to provide quality physiotherapy care to promote, encourage and enable health, wellbeing and independence for the patients and whānau in the communities we serve. Our mission is to ensure that patients receive excellence of care, that our staff are supported and trained to work and maintain levels of evidence-based practice and that our service is equitable, efficient and effective in order to meet the needs of our patients and their whānau. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, supportive team who are keen to grow and develop our staff.

About you

To be successful in this position :

• You will possess at least three years of experience.
• Sound knowledge and confidence with assessing and treating critical care patients.
• Current NZ physiotherapy registration, APC and the right to work in New Zealand.
• Passion for learning, be adaptable to change and be eager to gain experience across a variety of clinical areas.
• Evidence-informed assessment and treatment skills.
• You will find enjoyment mentoring and training up junior clinicians and students.
• You will need the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively as part of the physiotherapy and wider multi‑disciplinary team across a variety of environments.
• You will have excellent communication skills to effectively liaise with patients, their Whanau and other health care professionals.

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 5 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kasper Kulak at We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

Job details

Job Reference : WAI30680

Location : North Island - Waikato - Hamilton

Job type : Permanent Full time

Expertise : Clinical - Allied Health - Physiotherapist

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