General Medicine Physician - Stroke

About the Company Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to creating a health system that serves all New Zealanders, firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We are committed to providing high-quality healthcare and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. About the Role We are seeking a passionate physician to join our general medical team at Hawkes Bay Fallen Soldiers Hospital. This permanent, full-time position involves working 80 hours per fortnight and focuses on delivering exceptional acute and general medicine care. While the primary role is in general medicine, we are open to accommodating subspecialty interests, particularly in Stroke Medicine, Neurology, or Geriatric Medicine. About the Team/Service/Location Hawkes Bay is home to a diverse population of 162,000, spanning both urban and remote rural areas. Our services are primarily delivered at the Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Hastings, which is one of the largest provincial hospitals in New Zealand with a 400-bed capacity. The general medicine department handles over 8,000 admissions annually across four medical wards and a 20-bed acute assessment unit. Currently, our medical department consists of eight inpatient teams led by experienced Physicians, supported by registrars, house officers, and final-year medical students. We maintain strong collegial relationships and a robust education calendar, with over 40 physicians across various specialties. Our focus includes improving patient outcomes, reviewing care models, enhancing patient flow, and addressing healthcare inequities. In this role, you will work within the Acute Stroke Service based on Ward B2, a 27-bed general medicine ward that also accommodates neurological inpatients. The hospital admits around 500 patients annually with stroke or TIA. We operate a 24/7 Regional Telestroke Service, which is managed by Neurologists from Wellington Hospital, assessing all acute stroke patients in the Emergency Department for thrombolysis eligibility or clot retrieval. In addition to your responsibilities within the stroke service, you will participate in the after-hours General Medicine roster, supervise and educate resident medical staff and students, and support the nursing and multidisciplinary teams on the wards. Hawkes Bay offers an outstanding work-life balance, with access to beautiful beaches, outdoor adventures, excellent schools, mountains, skiing, exceptional dining, and stunning wineries, all within vibrant cities. About You The ideal candidate will hold FRACP or an equivalent qualification and be registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. You should possess a wide range of skills and be comfortable managing undifferentiated presentations in acute medicine. Strong clinical leadership capabilities and a commitment to continuous quality improvement are essential. While the main focus will be on ward-based care, there will also be opportunities for outpatient clinics and service development initiatives. Working at Health New Zealand At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we are committed to delivering exceptional healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace diversity and inclusivity within our workforce, allowing us to better serve our community. We encourage applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply To review the position profile, please visit our website. To apply, click on the "apply now" button. All direct applications must be submitted through our online careers portal. For agency referrals, please contact the SMO Recruitment Advisor via email at caroline.kermode@hbdhb.govt.nz. If you have any questions regarding the role, please reach out to Fiona Thompson, Medical Director - Internal Medicine and Head of Department - Medical Subspecialties, via email at fiona.thompson@hbdhb.govt.nz. We will review applications as they are received and may begin the recruitment process before the closing date of this advertisement.