Occupational Therapists and Social Workers For Allied Health – NESP

Location: Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual Disability Services (MHAIDS).  Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua.

Contract: Fixed Term (12months), Part Time 0.9FTE.

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

This is an exciting opportunity for new graduate Occupational Therapists and Social Workers.

 We have positions available in 2026 for the MHAIDS AH-NESP (Allied Health – New Entry to Specialist Practice) programme.  The programme is open to new graduate occupational therapists and social workers who would like to develop specialist skills in mental health and addictions.

 Successful applicants (AH-NESPs) will be employed 0.9 FTE for 12 months.  During this time, you will work 72 hours per fortnight inclusive of paid study leave to complete the academic requirements of the programme. 

 96% of previous AH-NESPs have successfully secured permanent occupational therapy and social work roles within MHAIDS on completion of the AH-NESP programme

About the Team/Service Location

You will work in two rotations within the MHAIDS clinical sectors, which may include inpatient, community, adult, forensic rehabilitation, younger persons, specialist Māori and Pacifika services.

You will be supported to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Mental Health & Addictions) at Auckland University of Technology.  This qualification focuses on recovery-oriented mental health practice.

You will have invaluable support throughout your AH-NESP term, receiving expert clinical mentorship on the job, weekly clinical supervision and regular tautoko from the AH-NESP coordinator.  You will also have peer support opportunities with the other AH-NESP clinicians and specific professional tautoko from our MHAIDS occupational therapy and social work groups.

 About you

• Applicants must be registered (or provisionally registered) with OTBNZ or SWRB.
• Be able to work and study in 2026.
• Have a full drivers licence.
• Have a passion for the mental health and addictions field of practice.

 Working at 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.

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. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 28^th September. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Marianne.Lovgren@tewhatuora.govt.nz

For further information about AH-NESP programme please email:  Melissa Lamond, Allied Health NESP Coordinator.  Melissa.Lamond@mhaids.health.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advertisement.