Deputy Medical Director

Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited serves the Northern Region of New Zealand, putting patients and whānau at the heart of everything we do. We deliver safe, high-quality pre-hospital and patient transport care through integrated clinical and aviation expertise.

We are seeking a Deputy Medical Director to join our Clinical Directorate in a permanent part-time 0.50 FTE position based in Onerahi, Whangārei. This is a unique opportunity to provide clinical leadership within one of New Zealand's most respected aeromedical services while remaining connected to frontline operations.

At Northern Rescue, we are committed to cultural safety, clinical excellence, and equitable healthcare outcomes. We foster an environment where every team member feels supported, respected, and empowered to make a meaningful impact for patients across our region.

What You'll Do

• Provide clinical leadership and support safe, high-quality patient care across Northern Rescue, with a particular focus on the Northland region.
• Support clinical governance, quality improvement, audit activities, and patient safety initiatives.
• Contribute to clinician education, credentialling, and professional development programmes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key healthcare stakeholders across the region.
• Participate in operational flight duties and provide on-call clinical advice to support frontline crews.
• Act for the Medical Director during periods of absence.

About You

You'll bring:

• Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM), Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA), or College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (FCICM).
• Vocational registration and a current APC with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
• Experience in retrieval, aeromedical, emergency, or critical care environments.
• Demonstrated clinical leadership and quality improvement experience.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a high-performing clinical culture.
• A strong working knowledge of health and privacy legislation.
• A moderate level of physical fitness; ability to pass the land fitness assessment would be an advantage

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in retrieval medicine, paramedicine, resuscitation, or aeromedical retrieval and transport.
• Experience providing remote clinical advice and retrieval coordination.
• Previous aviation industry experience.
• Experience working alongside paramedicine services or within the paramedicine profession.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strategic clinical leadership with operational involvement in a highly regarded emergency air ambulance service. You will work alongside experienced clinical and aviation professionals, contribute to the ongoing development of aeromedical care, and help shape the future of pre-hospital medicine across the upper North Island.

If you're passionate about clinical leadership, patient safety, and delivering exceptional care to diverse communities, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close 1 December 2026.