Whether you are based in New Zealand or moving here from overseas, South Canterbury offers rewarding career opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.
We welcome applicants who are passionate about equitable, family-centred care.
About South Canterbury
The South Canterbury region is located in the central-eastern part of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The region is bordered by the Canterbury region to the north, Otago region to the south, and the Southern Alps to the west.
The main city in South Canterbury is Timaru, which is situated on the coast and in close proximity to the mountains. The city's location provides a great work-life balance for residents. Additionally, Timaru boasts Caroline Bay, which is a popular attraction in the area.
Aoraki Mt Cook
Tourism NZ Visual Library
Working in South Canterbury
Health New Zealand is among the most significant employers in the region, with approximately 1,000 individuals employed in various fields across the service.
We are responsible for a wide range of health-related services, and a significant portion of our budget is allocated to primary health and disability support services. The remaining half of our budget is dedicated to funding secondary-level hospital services, including mental health, which are available at the Timaru Hospital and community services.
Hospitals in South Canterbury
Timaru Hospital
Timaru Hospital is a secondary-level hospital that provides a range of medical services, including surgical, medical, obstetric, and pediatric care, and has 131 in-patient beds. The hospital also offers mental health services, including acute and community-based care.
The hospital is equipped with modern facilities and advanced medical equipment to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
In addition to its in-patient services, Timaru Hospital also provides outpatient services, such as specialist clinics, diagnostic services, and rehabilitation services. The hospital is committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to the people of South Canterbury and surrounding regions.
Kensington Centre
The Kensington Centre is across the road from Timaru Hospital. It is a separate unit that provides mental health services.
The Kensington inpatient unit is a 14-bed ward at the eastern end of the Kensington Centre. The team of registered mental health nurses, a social worker and occupational therapist assist with recovery for people experiencing severe mental health issues requiring intensive treatment.
Health services in South Canterbury
- Anaesthesia
- Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Audiology (Hearing)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Bowel Screening Programme
- Cardiology
- Child Development
- Diabetes
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- District Nursing
- Endoscopy
- General Medicine
- General Practice
- General Surgery
- Health of Older Persons
- ICATT (integrated community assessment treatment team)
- Immunisation
- Laboratory
- Maternity and Newborn
- Medical Investigations Unit
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC)
- Occupational Therapy
- Oncology (Cancer Care)
- Ophthalmology (Eyes)
- Orthotics
- Orthopaedics (Bones, Joints, Muscles)
- Palliative Care
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Radiology
- Cardio / Respiratory
- Rheumatology
- Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment
- Sexual health
- Smokefree — South Canterbury Stop Smoking Services
- Stroke Services
- Social Work Services
- Speech Language Therapy
- Well Child Tamariki Ora
- Women's health (Gynaecology)
South Canterbury work placements programmes and education
At Health New Zealand, we believe in embracing life-long learning, always looking to remain current in the fast-paced health environment.
As well as working with local schools, we run a number of further education training programmes.
This 14 month programme offers a structured orientation, paid study days, exposure to a wide variety of scenarios, plus you will receive support and guidance from our designated Midwifery Educator.
Think for a moment about the kind of midwife you’d be in an ideal environment. You’d be cool and calm, patient and compassionate, and always have time for that mum who’s having a post-birth ‘moment’ or needs some extra breastfeeding support. And that’s exactly what you’ll be at Health New Zealand South Canterbury.
Our friendly, supportive, encouraging setting is a great place to begin your midwifery career. We aim to assist you in further developing your clinical practice and critical thinking skills with a programme and environment that supports your individual needs. Our programme is designed to facilitate the smooth transition from student to practising midwife.
You can choose from either an LMC position or Core position.
For more information, phone 03 687 2100external link — extension 8836.
We are one of the few hospitals across the country with an enrolled nurse graduate programme. We aim to assist you in further developing your clinical practice and critical thinking skills, with a programme and environment that supports your individual needs.
As a nurse graduate, your first year of practice marks the transition from student to competent Enrolled Nurse. We recognise how vital this year is to your development.
We are one of the few hospitals across the country with an enrolled nurse graduate programme. We aim to assist you in further developing your clinical practice and critical thinking skills with a programme and environment that supports your individual needs. Our programme is designed to facilitate the smooth transition from student nurse to Enrolled Nurse.
This 52 week programme offers the following:
- Positions are likely in the following areas: Surgical, Medical, Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation, District Nursing, Primary Health Care and Aged Care, as well as specialty areas such as theatre and endoscopy, depending on vacancies.
- A structured orientation including 4 weeks supernumerary supported by an experienced preceptor
- 10 paid study days designed to meet your learning needs and to support you in your clinical area
- Extensive range of services offering exposure to a wide variety of learning experiences
- Support and guidance from our learning hub staff
- A teaching hospital with an excellent reputation.
Our programme will place you in a role with any of our wards or departments based on yearly availability.
For more information, phone 03 687 2358external link
We work with the Ara Institute of Canterbury to offer a 3-year bachelor of nursing degree locally.
Did you know you can be educated to become a nurse without leaving South Canterbury?
Health New Zealand South Canterbury works with the Department of Nursing from Ara Institute of Canterbury (Timaru campus), to offer a three-year bachelor of nursing degree locally.
The first step is Ara, which offers a course to assist in meeting entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Or if you are a school leaver with appropriate Level 3 NCEA qualifications, direct application to Ara is invited.
People accepted into the programme undertake all of their studies and clinical placements in South Canterbury with instruction from Ara lecturers. Some financial assistance is available to qualifying students.
For more information:
Our NETP programme provides a supportive environment for you to develop excellent skills across a wide breadth of services.
As a nurse graduate your first year of practice marks the transition from student to competent Registered Nurse. We recognise how vital this year is to your development.
On our programme, you will be working with experienced nurses and senior clinicians who will support you in your first year of practice. At Health New Zealand South Canterbury we are big enough to offer variety and opportunities and small enough to maintain a close cohesive programme that supports your individual needs.
What we offer
Health New Zealand South Canterbury has an excellent reputation as a teaching hospital with support and guidance provided by our dedicated Learning Hub. We offer:
- Two intakes per year; one commencing mid January and the mid year programme commencing late August
- 15-25 positions for the January intake; 1-6 for the mid year intake
- An extensive range of health services offering exposure to a wide variety of learning experience
- January programme may include positions in Surgical, Medical, Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Operating Theatre, Paediatrics, Day Patient Services, District Nursing, ICU/CCU, Emergency Department and Aged Care, as well as Primary Care and specialty areas depending on vacancies.
- Mid year placements may include positions in Surgical, Medical, AT&R, Aged Care and Primary Health Care, as well as specialty areas depending on vacancies.
- Structured orientation including an initial period of 4 weeks supernumerary supported by an experienced preceptor
- Commitment to your on-going education through 12 paid study days designed to meet your learning needs and support you in your clinical placement.
What is Nurse Entry to Specialty Practice (NESP)?
In conjunction with Health New Zealand Southern, we also offer up to two positions in a post graduate programme for New Graduate Registered Nurses to work in the specialty of mental health. This 56 week programme aims to develop your professional practice in specific skills required for the specialty field of mental health and addiction nursing. Those entering the programme are employed within our Mental Health Services and are required to complete a post graduate certificate in Mental Health Nursing. There are three positions offered for NESP in the mid year intake.
Are you ready for the opportunity of a lifetime? We’re looking for Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) to join our teams in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) [link]
We work with Ara Institute of Canterbury (formerly CPIT) to support training placement as part of a three-year Bachelor of Medical Imaging. Many of our MRT students have previously been secondary school students from South Canterbury.
Towns and cities in South Canterbury
Timaru, Mackenzie and Waimate districts make up the South Canterbury region. They include the towns of Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine, Fairlie, Takapō (Tekapo), and Twizel.
Lake Tekapo
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Tekapo Springs
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Mt John Observatory, Tekapo
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Lake Pukaki
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Dashing Rocks, Timaru
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