Advanced Social Worker – Transitions to Care

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital, Hutt Hospital, Kenepuru Hospital

Contract: Fixed term (7 months), full and part time roles as below– please state on your cover letter which role(s) you are interested in

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 experienced social workers to play a pivotal role in supporting patient flow and improving complex discharge outcomes across the Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley District. These Advanced Social Work roles will be piloted for 7 months and will be based at Wellington Hospital (x 1 Full Time role), Kenepuru Hospital (x 1 Part Time role, 20 hours per week) and Hutt Hospital (x 1 Part Time role, 20 hours per week). 

Working at an advanced clinician level, you will provide strong clinical leadership and subject matter expertise across residential care and Protection of Personal and Property Rights (PPPR) pathways. A key focus of the role is reducing prolonged length of stay associated with complex discharge processes, supporting safer and more efficient care transitions for patients and whānau while improving overall hospital flow.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, hospital discharge coordinators, and Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) services to improve the consistency, coordination, and efficiency of complex discharge planning. Through collaboration, education, and system improvement initiatives, you will build capability within the MDT and support improved processes in managing complex social, legal, and ethical challenges. 

About the Team/Service Location 

The Advanced Social Work position is based within the Social Work and Allied Health teams providing services to all inpatient wards in alignment with the Transitions to Community Acute Flow programme of work. 

Our experienced inpatient Social Workers provide services to patients and their whānau from ED to Acute and Rehabilitation wards along with outpatient clinics where required.  They complete psychosocial assessments across the age range and provide holistic social work interventions. Our services are based at Wellington, Hutt and Kenepuru with strong links to community services. 

About you 

You will need to have: 

Essential

• A relevant graduate qualification
• Current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate registration
• Current Full New Zealand driver’s license 
• A commitment to translating evidence into practice.
• A commitment to biculturalism. 
• An understanding of healthcare in New Zealand. 

Desired

• 5 years’ experience working in the hospital and specialist services 
• Knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures. 
• Knowledge of ACC and MOH health funding streams.
• Prioritise using time management and delegation skills. 
• Demonstrate ability to facilitate team working. 

You will be able to:

• Work as effective team member.
• Be comfortable to work in and develop in an interprofessional model 
• Show evidence of ongoing learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way to your role. 

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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Philip.Adamson@tewhatuora.govt.nz 

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

Position description Apply now

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