Occupational Therapist – Physical Health / Acute Inpatient

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital – Major Trauma Centre

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

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 

Are you an experienced Occupational Therapist ready to take on an exciting role in trauma care within a dynamic acute hospital? We’re looking for a skilled and motivated OT to join our team and support the Trauma service at Wellington Regional Hospital.

Join the team at Wellington Regional Hospital, the tertiary major trauma centre for the Central Region, serving communities from Hawke’s Bay to Whanganui and Nelson-Marlborough. We’re looking for an Occupational Therapist to play a key role in this exciting area of growth, the Occupational Therapy role is highly valued in the Trauma network and future opportunities to develop a designated role within the Allied Health Career Framework.

This role is based in the Orthopaedic ward with a focus on multi-trauma, also flexes across ICU, ED, Cardiothoracics, and Neurosurgery – giving you exposure to the full spectrum of acute care in one of New Zealand’s busiest hospitals.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver high-quality, patient-centred occupational therapy assessment and intervention to people recovering from trauma and complex acute conditions.
• Contribute to service growth and innovation in the trauma pathway at Wellington Hospital. 
• Provide rotational mentoring with support from our OT Clinical Educator.
• Support and supervise students, helping to shape the next generation of OTs.
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

About the Team/Service Location 

Our Acute Occupational Therapy team sits within the inpatient allied health service – home to allied health professionals including physiotherapy, speech language therapy, dietetics and social work.  We foster a tight-knit, collaborative environment where shared knowledge, cultural understanding and professional growth are valued.

Click here to learn more about working with us in Wellington https://careers.tewhatuora.govt.nz/locations/capital-coast-hutt-valley/ 

About you

To be successful in the role, we seek a New Zealand registered Occupational Therapist who is patient-focused, collaborative, and able to confidently manage a varied caseload.

What you will bring: 

• New Zealand registration and current Annual Practicing Certificate as an Occupational Therapist
• Experience in acute physical health with an interest in trauma (orthopaedics, ICU, neurology an advantage).
• Strong clinical reasoning, adaptability, and a collaborative approach to care.
• Confidence working autonomously and as part of an interprofessional team
• Excited by mentoring, learning, and service development
• A commitment to equity and cultural safety in practice 

What we offer:

• Work in one of New Zealand’s major trauma centres within a dedicated and supportive OT team within a large tertiary hospital.
• Ongoing professional development, supervision, and clinical educator support.
• Opportunities to innovate and shape services in a key growth area.
• A vibrant city with beaches, culture, and nature on your doorstep.

Join us at Wellington Regional Hospital and make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients recovering from trauma, while helping to shape the future of acute occupational therapy services across Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley.

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 12 October. 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.