Occupational Therapist Adult Forensic Unit (Rangipapa)

Location: Ratonga Rua o Porirua Campus, Porirua

Contract: Permanent Full Time, Monday – Friday 

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 

Someone well suited to the role will place a high value on the following:

• Deliver an effective and efficient occupational therapy service that facilitates clinical excellence and desired health outcomes.
• Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention for occupational performance issues identified throughout functional assessments. 
• Understanding of mental health and offending and the impact of these issues on clients, their families and community.
• A non- judgemental approach to addiction and the lifestyle choices of our client group. 
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Recognising and managing risk in a clinical environment.
• Working in an emotionally challenging and changing environment.
• Responding to changing demands / priorities / workloads at short notice.
• Working in a multi-disciplinary environment, whilst contributing your discipline specific knowledge to the MDT and within assessment. 
• Working autonomously and as part of the team.
• There is opportunity to develop and utilise therapy modalities. 
• Supporting change implementation is an important aspect of this role. The environment is one of continuing change as we strive for quality practice and improved patient safety.  The Occupational Therapist is a key part of the team’s involvement in such change. 
• Work with families and carers as well as other agencies
• Support service users/tangata whaiora to identify their strengths, goals and aspirations, and advocate within the multi-disciplinary team for inclusion of these crucial factors in care management that supports recovery and a confident return to the community. 

About the Team/Service/ Location 

We are looking for a person-directed, values-driven clinical registered occupational therapist. Our service has a strong, dedicated and supportive team culture, and an established Learning and Development Centre to tautoko your career development. 

Rangipapa is a mixed gender Medium Secure Adult Forensic Units operating a 24hour service at Ratonga Rua Hospital Campus. Rangipapa is a 14 bed unit with 2 detached cottages (one 4 bed and one 5 bed).  Providing treatment, assessment and rehabilitation for tangata whaiora /consumers who are required to undergo psychiatric assessment prior to a court hearing and also for consumers committed to a Mental Health Facility under the Criminal Procedures (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 or Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. 

Effective rehabilitation in the least restrictive environment is considered a core focus across the Adult Forensic inpatient team. The service focuses on recovery and rehabilitation through providing people with the opportunity to learn new skills, as well as gain independence and empowerment for community living. The unit links into other services within Ratonga Rua o Porirua such as the programmes run through Tangaroa, Ruaumoko and Vaka O Le Pasifika, work programmes, and linking with community-based resources and organisations. 

About you 

• A degree in occupational therapy or relevant tertiary occupational therapy qualification. 
• Hold New Zealand occupational therapist registration and a current annual practicing certificate.
• Passionate about wanting to work in Mental Health, with a willingness to learn. 
• Current full NZ driver’s licence.
• You will work in a way that is holistic, integrated and collaborative, recognising people’s physical health and social needs and in partnership with primary care and non-government (NGO) providers.
• You understand the importance of cultural competence and equity, providing practice that is consistent with the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi.
• You understand the importance of person-directed care and intentional peer support.
• You are mindful of the needs of our diverse population, for instance, Pacific peoples, refugee and migrant communities, disabled people/tāngata whaikaha, rainbow communities, and those living in rural areas/isolated from health services.
• You must have a full and clean Driver's License and the ability to consent and complete NZ or international Police vetting (Vulnerable Children's Act 2015).

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 April 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Marianne.Lovgren@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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