Forensic Pathologist

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Are you ready for a change? Picture yourself in New Zealand, where adventure is always at your doorstep, breath-taking scenery is part of everyday life, and achieving work-life balance is truly possible. If you - re a Forensic Pathologist looking for a fresh start, this could be your perfect opportunity.

Join a healthcare system that genuinely cares. Based in Christchurch, Health New Zealand is a world leader in integrated healthcare delivery, and we have a rare opportunity for a forensic pathologist to join our team. You'll play a key role in a unit that serves a population of approximately 1.2 million for homicides and suspicious deaths

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to delivering equitable, high-quality healthcare to all communities. Our Pae Ora vision focuses on longer, healthier lives with improved quality and fairness in health outcomes. At Christchurch Hospital, we are building a collaborative and cohesive healthcare system where our professionals thrive in a supportive and innovative environment.

Mō mātou | About us

Forensic Pathology South Island is part of Health New Zealand, the organisation that leads the day-to-day running of our health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional, and national levels. Te Whatu Ora employs the forensic pathologists based in Christchurch, with autopsy services contracted through the Ministry of Justice for the coronial system.

Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) is a Health New Zealand pathology service provider in New Zealand. The mortuary at CHL serves as the forensic centre for the South Island, supported by a skilled mortuary technical team and expertise from other CHL departments.

Here in beautiful Waitaha Canterbury, we provide forensic pathology services to over 700,000 people in the Canterbury region and West Coast, as well as handling homicides and suspicious deaths for the entire South Island.

The Team

New Zealand - s coronial death investigation system is supported by legally trained coroners, with forensic pathologists playing a crucial role in supporting families, coroners, the Police, and the courts. You will undertake and supervise autopsy examinations for sudden, unexplained, or unexpected deaths, working alongside an enthusiastic and highly skilled team in a state-of-the-art mortuary facility in Christchurch.

You will be supported by:

-   Seven experienced autopsy technicians

-   An administrator and service manager

-   A full range of diagnostic services, including histopathology, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, haematology, and radiology

-   Strong professional relationships with perinatal pathologists in Christchurch and a forensic anthropologist at the University of Otago

The Role

As a Forensic Pathologist, you will provide expert advice to coroners, police, families, courts, and medical staff. At the coroner - s direction, you will perform post-mortem examinations and deliver detailed autopsy reports. You will also attend police-requested scenes (generally no more than 10 per year, shared among the team) and provide expert court testimony.

Each year, our forensic pathology team conducts approximately 500 coronial post-mortem examinations, including around 30 homicides or suspicious deaths.

Additionally, you will:

-   Supervise and train forensic pathology trainees as part of our forensic pathology training program

-   Provide occasional teaching sessions for medical students and new police officers

-   Have the opportunity to engage in undergraduate and graduate teaching through our close ties with the University of Otago and the Christchurch School of Medicine

-   Play a role in shaping the future of forensic pathology services as the coronial system undergoes major changes

Required Qualifications

-   FRCPA qualification (or international equivalent), with preference for candidates with post-qualification experience, though recent graduates are welcome to apply.

-   Eligibility for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. Check your eligibility here: Medical Council of New Zealand.

Remuneration & Benefits

-   Internationally competitive salary

-   Assistance with professional registration and relocation

-   Six weeks of paid annual leave

-   Time off in lieu for public holidays worked

-   Generous financial support for continuing medical education (CME) and two weeks of CME leave

-   Employer-covered annual professional registration and indemnity insurance fees

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is - the weaving of wellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
• We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

Apply online and join us in our mission to provide exceptional patient care, advance medical knowledge, and improve forensic pathology services in New Zealand.

For more information about the role contact Dr. Leslie Anderson at Leslie.Anderson@cdhb.health.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.