Occupational Therapist, within the Regional Rehabilitation Service (RRS)

Location: Intensive Rehabilitation Regional Rehabilitation Service- Tawhirimatea unit, 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 committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the role

We are looking for innovative and committed Occupational Therapist to join the Tāwhirimātea inpatient team within the Regional Rehabilitation Service (RRS).  RRS provides people with specialised care with a focus on recovery and rehabilitation in both secure and open settings. Tāwhirimātea is a safe care 29 bed unit. The unit provides a range of both individual and group programs and activities that support recovery for clients who may require a stay in a safer environment. Clients are able to access services both on and off the unit.  A multi-disciplinary team approach is provided to clients.

The Occupational Therapist are required to work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team to support people as they transition from inpatient care to the community.  The Occupational Therapist will offer specialised assessment and treatment for people with enduring mental illness. 

About the Team/Service/ Location 

Tāwhirimātea has established an Occupational Therapy (OT) team consisting of two Occupational Therapists (this vacancy is for the 2nd OT) and two Occupational Therapy Support Workers. You will be working alongside a dynamic team that work collaboratively to enhance the recovery process for people residing in the open inpatient setting.  You will work alongside of the nursing staff to ensure that individual care plans are supported. The Tāwhirimātea OT team also works in partnership with other rehabilitationand forensic units within our wider campus. These teams support the running of programmes that are unit based, Tangaroa based, (our activity centre) and community based.

About you

You will need to be able to work collaboratively within a team; be able to support nursing staff to ensure that individuals are supported to engage in rehabilitation activities. You will bring your active listening skills, solution focus approach to fostering tangata whai ora to achieve their identified goals within their pathway journey.  You will have the ability to take on new learning where required to support your role within the team as well as good communication skills with your team members, tangata whai ora and whānau. You will be proactive in ensuring all occupational therapy led documentation reflects a person centered approach and promotes the enhancement of independence. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of clinicians who are committed to promoting excellent public relations through positive interactions with tangata whai ora, whānau and their communities.

You will be:

• NZ Registered Occupational Therapist with current annual practicing certificate.
• Member of Occupational Therapy New Zealand - Professional Association (desirable).
• Have a Full drivers licence.

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 11th May. 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.