General Surgeon

General Surgeon

• Fixed Term 6 months (June to December 2026)
• 0.85FTE

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

We are seeking a General Surgeon to join our team at Timaru Public Hospital to provide 6 months of cover for Sabbatical Leave.  We are offering 0.85 FTE, with a roster of 5 weeks on, 1 week off. 

The General Surgery department consists of 6 General Surgeons, supported by two Registrars as well as Resident Medical Doctors. We pride ourselves on being a very collegial department with a flat structure creating a friendly working environment. A wide variety of General Surgical procedures is performed in the department, including breast, colorectal, skin, etc, as well as endoscopy.  The on-call is divided on a 1 in 6 basis.

During your “on” weeks, you will commonly have 2 half day theatre sessions, 1 half day endoscopy session, 2 half day clinics (one being a minor procedure clinic). 

About you

You’ll bring New Zealand Vocational Registration (or be eligibility for vocational registration) in General Surgery. Most importantly, you’ll thrive in a team environment and value the variety and autonomy that comes with working in a smaller hospital setting.

You are a registered General Surgeon, or will be at the time of employment, with an ability and willingness to work in a provincial setting. You will be an able endoscopist (gastroscopy and colonoscopy)

We welcome Specialists trained in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia or those who have trained in similar healthcare systems globally.

Why Timaru?

Forget the traffic jams and sky-high house prices – Timaru offers balance. Nestled between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll have skiing, hiking, cycling, and beaches on your doorstep, all while being just two hours from Christchurch and Dunedin.

Timaru is a place where you can:

• Build your career in a hospital big enough to challenge you, yet small enough to know everyone’s name.
• Enjoy a lifestyle where your commute is measured in minutes, leaving more time for the things you love.
• A number of our staff commute to work by foot or bike in a safe town for active commuting with great walking and cycling right on the doorstep of the hospital.

Join us – not just for the job, but for the team, the lifestyle, and the opportunity to make a real difference in a region that values and supports its people.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Salary Range

This role is covered by the terms and conditions of the relevant ASMS Collective, and the salary will be in accordance with the Pay Scale, and dependent on relevant experience.  Details of the current collective agreement can be found here.  SECA | ASMS

New Zealand Registration with the Medical Council (for overseas trained applicants)

Please visit the New Zealand Medical Council website for more details and the requirements required towards gaining NZ Vocational Scope Registration. Getting registered | Medical Council

How to Apply / Enquiries

Please apply for this vacancy online at https://scdhb.careercentre.net.nz

We look forward to receiving your application directly via our Careers Site.

If you have any questions regarding this role please contact Human Resources by phoning 03 687-2230.

Close Date: 5 October 2025