Southern DHB (Dunedin) is currently recruiting an experienced Public Health Physician who will enhance the capabilities of the Southern District Health Board region. You will already have, or be able to achieve vocational registration in public health medicine with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), and are able to be designated by the Director-General of Health as a Medical Officer of Health. This is a senior medical officer (specialist/consultant) role with the DHB.

Southern DHB's Public Health Service has three offices - Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown, with 56 staff. As a service they are currently undergoing an exciting transformational change. Staff work collaboratively with DHB partners and are moving toward using health in all policies approaches to address the determinants of health and reduce inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of the southern communities where they live, learn, work and play.

You will be part of a team of senior colleagues in the Public Health Unit to provide leadership to the service and DHB to embed this way of working. You will bring your experience and skills in building strong relationships with partners acropss health and other sectors, understanding communities' needs and developing innovative programmes. An ability to think strategically and translate strategic goals into operational plans is essential. You will be able to balance a sound approach to responding to health protection issues and communicable disease control with the ability to provide leadership to work on a broad range of social and environmental issues that impact on health.

You will have an interest in quality improvement and evaluation and the ability to demonstrate the impact and outcomes of your work. You will be an excellent communicator, both verbal and written. The on-call roster will be shared with the current Public Health Physicians.

Due to the ongoing Public Health Covid19 response, a proven ability to work under pressure is essential.

You can choose to be based in either the cities of Dunedin or Invercargill and occasional travel around Otago and Southland will be required. With some of New Zealand's most famous scenery and holiday spots on the doorstep (Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Stewart Island, to name but a few), the district offers affordable living, great schools, a true work-life balance, and a relaxed way of life with no traffic jams in sight. Dunedin is a vibrant University town and a great place to live and work. Invercargill is situated at the base of the South Island and the people are renowned for their warmth and hospitality.

A full driver's licence is essential and travel will be required.

Closing date: open

Candidates should note that screening of applications will be ongoing throughout the advertising period and advertising will be removed from the Southern DHB website in the event of the role being filled.

Candidates not currently registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand should be aware that it is a requirement of the MCNZ that your qualifications are approved through ECFMG (EPIC). If you have a commitment to working in New Zealand it is highly recommended that you start this process as soon as possible so as to allow your subsequent registration application to be completed in a timely fashion. For more information please visit the MCNZ website re EPIC Credentialing. 

For further information about this role, please contact Milair Ryalls, Recruitment Advisor - Senior Medical Officers, phone: 03 470 9604 or email: milair.ryalls@southerndhb.govt.nz

To apply: only online applications are accepted. See here.