Professional Lead - Child & Adolescent Oral Health

Allied Health Professional Lead – Child & Adolescent Oral Health

MidCentral District | Permanent | 0.5 FTE

Ready to take your dental leadership to the next level? Here's your opportunity to step into a district-wide leadership role where you can influence professional practice, grow workforce capability and help shape the future of oral health services for tamariki and rangatahi.

This isn't just about leading a team — it's about leading change.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead professional practice across the Dental Therapist and Dental Assistant workforce.
• Shape the future of Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services.
• Champion clinical excellence, innovation and evidence-based practice.
• Grow and strengthen workforce capability and professional development.
• Influence quality improvement, clinical governance and new models of care.
• Build strong partnerships across health, education and the wider community.
• Make a tangible difference to tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across MidCentral.

If you're looking for a role where your experience, ideas and leadership can genuinely make a difference, this could be it.

About the Role

As our Allied Health Professional Lead, you'll be the professional voice for Dental Therapists and Dental Assistants across the MidCentral district.

Working alongside the Clinical Director, Operations Lead and Service Coordination Lead, you'll provide expert professional advice and leadership while helping create a workforce that is skilled, supported, connected and ready for the future.

You'll bring professional leadership to areas including:

Clinical excellence | Workforce development | Professional standards | Clinical governance | Quality improvement | Service innovation | Education & supervision

You'll also have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with tertiary education providers and health sector partners, helping build the workforce of tomorrow.

About You

You're an experienced dental professional who is ready to step up, influence and make your mark.

You'll bring:

• Dental Council registration and a current APC.
• 5+ years' relevant clinical experience.
• Proven leadership, mentoring or supervision experience.
• A strong understanding of professional standards, quality improvement and workforce development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence to influence, collaborate and bring people along with you.
• A current full driver's licence.

We're looking for someone who is curious, collaborative and forward-thinking — someone who sees opportunities, backs their people and isn't afraid to ask, "How could we do this better?"

About the Service

The Child and Adolescent Oral Health Service provides assessment, treatment, prevention and oral health management for children and young people up to 18 years across the MidCentral district.

Our focus is simple: Better oral health. Better experiences. Better outcomes for tamariki and whānau.

As part of the leadership team, you'll help turn that vision into action.

About the Location

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help with a true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz) . Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.

We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options!

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click "apply now." All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tara Penketh, Recruitment Advisor (Allied Health) at Tara.Penketh@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences.