Mary Potter Hospice provides specialist palliative care services for people living in Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti. We provide equitable, compassionate, patient- and whānau- centred, free-of-charge hospice care for patients, families, whānau and carers in the places they call home, and at our Inpatient Unit in Newtown.
We are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi through our work, ensuring equitable and culturally respectful care for all. By integrating Te Ao Māori values and practices, we strive to create an inclusive environment that upholds the mana and dignity of those we serve.
Overview of the role
To provide specialist palliative medical support, management and education for patients and their families/whānau referred and admitted to the Hospice service, and to provide professional collegial advice and education to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and primary care providers (PCP).
Reports to: Medical Director
Location: Mary Potter Hospice, Newtown
About the Role
Mary Potter Hospice is seeking a compassionate Specialist Palliative Care Physician to provide expert medical care across our In-Patient Unit and community settings. This integrated role combines clinical excellence with education and leadership, supporting patients and their whānau through their palliative care journey.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Care
- Deliver patient and whānau-centered specialist palliative care across IPU and community settings, ensuring seamless transitions and coordinated care
- Provide expert symptom management and advance care planning support in collaboration with our multidisciplinary team
- Conduct ward rounds, home visits, day clinic reviews, and virtual consultations as required
- Support the Hospice @ Home programme and Aged Residential Care team with specialist medical advice
Medical Leadership & Collaboration
- Participate in triage and MDT meetings to assess referrals and coordinate care planning
- Provide clinical support, education and mentorship to GPs, hospital teams, registrars, medical students and MDT members
- Build strong collaborative relationships with primary care and hospital specialists
- Support clinical strategy development and quality improvement initiatives
Education & Professional Development
- Contribute to palliative care education programmes for medical and healthcare professionals
- Participate in research, clinical audits, peer review and policy development
- Maintain professional registration and engage in continuing professional development
- Demonstrate commitment to reflective practice and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families while working within a supportive, values-driven environment.
Education Requirements
FAChPM or similar, accreditable by MCNZ for specialist palliative medicine practice in NZ, and by the RACP for training Palliative Medicine Registrars.
Person Specification
The following requirements are sought for this position:
- A high level of professionalism
- A high level of integrity and understanding of what this means in a Hospice environment and how this fits with the values of Mary Potter Hospice
- An ability to build relationships with a wide range of people
- Demonstrated strong communication skills with an ability to communicate at all levels, written, oral and presentations
- Expert knowledge and skills in Palliative Care Medicine
- Excellent networking skills including experience in building positive relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders
- A commitment to, and an understanding of, the Treaty of Waitangi and multi-culturalism
- Experience in, and understanding of, education and research methodologies and how these could apply to palliative care and Mary Potter Hospice
- Ability to seek continuous improvement and strive for quality results
- A “can do”, problem solving approach and the ability to prioritize and respond quickly to daily challenges
- A current clean driver’s license and willingness to drive a Hospice vehicle as required.