Occupational Therapist/Social Worker - Early Intervention
Location: Te Whare Tipu, Wellington
Contract: Permanent, Part Time or full time (35-40 hrs)
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
The role will involve
- Providing effective care management and key work based on Early Intervention principles
- Having a strong focus on functional recovery and ways to collaboratively achieve this
- Working with community agencies and resources for the benefit of young people and their whanau
- Developing and facilitating groups for clients and whanau as needed
- Delivering education and training about early intervention in psychosis, as required
Please note that we are particularly seeking an Occupational Therapist for this role - however Social Workers with appropriate skills are also welcome to apply
About the Team/Service/Location
The Early Intervention Service is an innovative, creative multidisciplinary team which offers assessment and treatment to young people (13 to 25 years) presenting to mental health services with a first-time psychotic disorder – we work hard to minimise the impact of the disorder on young peoples’ lives through offering a client centred, strengths based and collaborative support programme. The team are inspired by the recovery–focused framework laid out in the book Recovery after a first episode of psychosis. We regularly evaluate our outcomes allowing us to constantly adjust, improve and innovate the services we provide.
We provide a sub-regional service across the Greater Wellington Region (Welington, Poriua, Kapiti and Hutt) as well as delivering consultation-liaison and training to mental health services in the Central Region DHBs.
About you
- You are an experienced, enthusiastic Occupational Therapist or Social Worker to work with young people and their families in the Wellington region.
- Excellent assessment skills and an ability to engage creatively are valuable in this role, as are skills related to working with families and in group settings.
- Previous experience working with young people is preferred
- An annual practicing certificate and a full driving licence are essential.
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 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.
Permanent, Permanent/Full Time, Permanent/Part Time
Job no: MHA091-26
Location: Wellington Hospital
Closing Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026