Consultant Geriatrician

About the Company Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strives to build a health system that effectively serves all New Zealanders. We are dedicated to providing excellent healthcare through a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. About the Role Whangarei Hospital is a 250-bed District General Hospital equipped with major specialties, including an Intensive Care Unit. Our department consists of a team of 5.5 FTE, comprising both New Zealanders and British professionals. While this position is based at Whangarei Hospital, we serve older people throughout Northland (Te Tai Tokerau), an area of 12,600 km² with a population of 170,000 that encompasses a mix of urban and rural settings. In addition to our main hospital, we also provide specialist visiting services to three rural community hospitals. Since our significant service redesign in 2020, we have implemented an acute frailty service that includes a 10-12 bed Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit focused on caring for patients with acute medical problems and frailty. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely to ensure optimal care. Additionally, we have established a front-door frailty service that works with the Emergency Department to help those living with frailty maintain their independence for as long as possible. The Health of Older People team is also responsible for a 20-bed rehabilitation ward, which includes orthopaedic, stroke, and general rehabilitation patients. We offer a five-day-a-week orthogeriatric service to the orthopaedic ward, providing leadership opportunities for those interested in enhancing these services. We actively engage in the training and supervision of our junior colleagues, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Our team plays a vital role within the broader medical department at Whangarei Hospital. We are fortunate to have a community-based team that includes Gerontology Nurse Specialists, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapists, and Social Workers, allowing us to effectively work across the hospital and community interface. There is also the potential to initiate or further develop a subspecialty interest in areas such as falls and syncope, complex dementia, rehabilitation, or perioperative medicine. While there is no on-call expectation for this position, options to maintain a general medical on-call component can be discussed. About the Location Whangarei, located in the "winterless north," boasts a warm climate, excellent schools, affordable housing, and beautiful coastal areas that offer a variety of recreational activities. The city is conveniently situated just a two-hour drive or 25-minute flight from Auckland's international airport. For more information about living and working in Northland, we encourage you to explore additional resources. About You To qualify for this role, you must hold or be eligible for specialist (or locum tenens) registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) in an Internal Medicine Vocational scope of practice. If you are currently overseas or not yet registered, we are ready to assist you with the application process to obtain MCNZ registration. Working at Health New Zealand At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we are committed to providing exceptional healthcare to the people of New Zealand. We value diversity and inclusivity within our workforce, which enhances our ability to understand and serve our community. We welcome applications from individuals representing our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply If you would like to apply, please click the "apply now" button. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 03 September 2025. For any questions regarding the role, you may contact Dr. Vic Henderson at Victoria.Henderson@northlanddhb.org.nz or the General Manager at Belinda.beehre@northlanddhb.org.nz. We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advertisement.