Occupational Therapist - Wairoa

Service/ Department: Occupational Therapy

Contract: Permanent, 0.8 FTE (64 hours per fortnight)

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 skilled and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated team at Wairoa Hospital. This role involves taking professional and organisational responsibility for managing a caseload of patients with varying levels of complexity. You will conduct comprehensive assessments, design and implement individualised intervention plans, and work collaboratively with patients, whānau, and the multidisciplinary team to promote positive health outcomes. You will also be involved in clinical risk assessment, discharge planning, and provide education and mentorship to team members and students.

This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of our community members, working in a supportive environment that values cultural safety, equity, and collaborative care. To learn more about the role and to review the position profile, click here.

About the Team/Service/ Location:

Wairoa Hospital provides essential healthcare services to the Wairoa community, with a dedicated team that values partnership, respect, and whānau-centred care. Our Occupational Therapy team is committed to enhancing the lives of our patients through tailored therapeutic support and collaboration across various healthcare services.

About you:

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of clinical expertise, cultural competency, and a commitment to equitable healthcare. As an Occupational Therapist, you will have the skills to independently manage a caseload, perform comprehensive assessments, and develop tailored intervention plans for patients and their whānau. In addition to these technical skills, you will demonstrate the ability to foster therapeutic relationships, communicate complex information effectively, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Key skills and experience include:

• Experience in Occupational Therapy: You will have proven experience in managing a varied caseload, demonstrating professional and clinical responsibility, and making independent, well-reasoned decisions about occupational therapy interventions.
  
  
• Clinical Assessment and Intervention Planning: Skilled in conducting comprehensive assessments using a range of techniques, including standardised tests, clinical observations, and personalised intervention planning. You are comfortable adapting plans to meet changing needs and reassessing goals as required.
  
  
• Effective Communication and Relationship Building: Able to establish strong therapeutic relationships with patients and whānau, promoting goal alignment and ensuring clarity around assessment, treatment, and discharge plans. You’ll also communicate effectively with the wider interprofessional team (IPP) to integrate occupational therapy into overall care.
  
  
• Mentorship and Education: Enthusiastic about providing guidance and support, you will coach and assess the competency of team members and occupational therapy students. This includes educating Rehabilitation Assistants and contributing to interprofessional and discipline-specific learning.
  
  
• Commitment to Continuous Development: A proactive learner who stays informed about current research and best practices in occupational therapy, applying these insights to enhance patient care. You participate actively in supervision, continuing professional development, and clinical assurance activities.
  
  
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth (mandatory)
  
  
• Experience in projects / initiatives which give effect to Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings. (mandatory)
  
  

Working for Health New Zealand:

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. 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:

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anne at anne.mcleod@hbdhb.govt.nz

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