Occupational Therapist Support Worker (Intellectual Disability)

Location: Porirua

Contract:  Permanent, Full Time (1 FTE)

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 looking for your next career move, where no two days are same? Well then look no further!

ID Forensic Services are seeking a dynamic and diverse ‘Jack of all trades’ Occupational Therapist Support Worker to join our team. We are looking for someone that comes with a variety of practical and life skills and experience. The person we are looking for is a ‘go getter’ and willing to share experience and skills with our clients. Someone who is willing to get on with the job of helping out and mucking in, who is a self-starter and can be left to arrange projects, activities and run groups where necessary. If this sounds like you, please apply below and become a part of our cutting edge service, and make a real difference. The salary range for this role is $69,975 to $84,193 depending on experience.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Intellectual Disability Secure Service provides secure (inpatient) care and rehabilitation services for male and female adults and adolescents who have a diagnosed intellectual disability and have committed often serious offences. Our clients are usually Care Recipients or Special Care Recipients under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act, 2003 who have been convicted or found unfit to stand trial. The maximum number of clients in our inpatient services is 31 people. The length of stay for each client varies, and in more recent years orders have been made for an average of two years.  To ensure that our clients receive the best possible care and rehabilitation, the service has developed a Model of Care that draws on the strengths of our clients and each discipline within the multidisciplinary team. This framework incorporates the Good Lives Model of offender rehabilitation, a comprehensive risk assessment structure, a Positive Behaviour Support approach to direct care, and a formal staff supervision and education programme. The ID Service is part of the broader Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS), which spans the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Capital, Coast District and includes local, regional, and national services. 

About you

The service is staffed by a team of clinicians from medical, nursing, allied health and support work backgrounds. We also have management and administrative staff. Our service embraces diversity. We welcome applications from people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities and religions. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community.

Your skills and experience will ideally be:

• Someone well suited to this position would have experience/knowledge with some of the following practical skills which will be used working alongside our clients individually or in groups.
• Must have at least level 4 NZQA National Certificate in Community Health Support Services (or equivalent qualification).
• Good written and oral English skills.
• Have good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be flexible and adaptable and have excellent time management skills.
• Have the ability to work under direction and also be proactive in carrying out tasks independently and in a culturally safe way.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in stressful and changing situations. 
• Basic group facilitation skills.
• Basic problem solving skills.
• Some care giving background would be an advantage.
• Mental health and intellectual disability experience.
• Able to set own values aside.
• The skills to undertake craft, gardening, carpentry/mechanical projects with clients.
• The ability to run activity based groups for service users and work one on one as required.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.
• A full NZ Drivers Licence.
• The ability to pass a Police check and have no criminal convictions.

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 13th August. 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 advert.