Occupational Therapist

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, Part Time 0.5 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 

We have the opportunity for increased occupational therapy services over winter to maintain a high standard of care for patients and their whānau during seasonal high demand.  As a member of the acute team, the caseload for this role will be primarily within the medical stream. As this is initially a winter role, we are seeking someone with acute experience who is able to transition quickly into acute practice within a busy hospital setting. 

As a member of the acute team, the caseload for this role will be primarily within the medical stream, with a strong focus on discharge readiness and supporting safe, timely transitions of care. This position provides occupational therapy assessment and intervention across acute inpatient settings, with a focus on short stay medical patients (ED/Medical Assessment and Planning Unit/Medical Winter Ward). The role also contributes to embedding early mobility initiatives across ward environments.

You will be part of a wider team of occupational therapist (experienced clinicians and rotational staff). This role will give you an opportunity to progress both your clinical and non-clinical skills, giving you the chance to advance your practice. 

Our occupational therapy service provides assessment, treatment and discharge planning to our patients in various clinical specialities across the hospital. You would collaborate with patients and the multidisciplinary team providing specialist occupational therapy interventions.

You will be well supported by a friendly, fun and enthusiastic team, with leadership from dedicated Team Leaders and highly skilled occupational therapists. We offer on-going professional development and formal supervision.

If the thought of working in a high performing team dedicated to patient care appeals to you, then this may be the role for you.  If you are passionate about delivering excellent clinical practice, influencing and supporting other occupational therapists then we’d love to hear from you.

About the Team/Service/ Location 

Our team is currently made up of 20 occupational therapists, with 9 team members in the rotational group. We work in the acute setting, assessing and treating patients to contribute to successful discharges and acute hospital flow. We are part of a wider ORA team that has occupational therapists working across community, outpatients and rehabilitation settings.

In the inpatient service we work closely along other allied health professionals and share a home base with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social workers and dieticians. It is a dynamic, experienced and supportive team. 

About you

• Preferably three or more years’ experience
• Have registration as an Occupational Therapist with the with Occupational Therapy Board NZ with a current annual practicing certificate
• Sound clinical reasoning skills and use of evidence informed practice
• Ability to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary setting
• A clear understanding of the health needs of our Māori and Pacific Island communities 
• Mentor and support rotational Occupational Therapists as required.
• Effective time management, prioritization and organization skills

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 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.

Position description Apply now

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