Occupational Therapist at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Occupational Therapist – OPAL Community Services
• Palmerston North Hospital
•  Permanent – Part time

• MidCentral District Health Board is looking for an experienced Allied Health professional to join our growing team within the Older People's Assessment and Liaison Community Service (OPAL CS). We have positions for an Occupational Therapist with permanent hours available (.6 FTE)

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 Service

The OPAL community service complements the existing range of Te Uru Whakamauora (Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation) services provided to older people with a focus on reducing avoidable displacements from home. OPAL CS delivers home-based care for older people with complex ages related to physical, social, long-term conditions or mental health needs. This service aims to shift more health care from hospital settings closer to people's homes, and pivotally, incorporate Kaupapa Māori approaches in its service to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori kaumatua. The OPAL CS teams will be co-located in the community of the three key localities of the MidCentral Region: Palmerston North City/ Feilding, Horowhenua, and Tararua.

About the Role

In this role, you will be working in the community alongside a supportive transdisciplinary team consisting of geriatricians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social worker, NASC, Māori connectors, Allied Health assistants. The team will partner with general practices and community providers to identify older people with frailty in the community to provide comprehensive geriatric assessments and deliver therapy services to help them remain independent at home. The team will also be supporting people transitioning home from hospital settings and your work will be based in various clinical locations, visiting clients in the community, and in associated facilities.

We currently have positions open for the Tararua/Palmerston North localities.

This role provides an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where you can build on a variety of skills not just within your discipline, but skills that crosses disciplinary boundaries.  You will be a valued core member of the OPAL CS team and will have an opportunity to take lead and shape this growing service.

What are we looking for in applicants?

• Enthusiastic, energetic, resilient, with a ‘can do' attitude

• Experience and ability to work effectively within a trans-disciplinary team, utilising individual and professional skills.

• Ability to adapt and flex to trial new ways of working
• Strong desire to help clients and whānau achieve their goals
• An understanding or willingness to learn about te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
• Effective written, oral and interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Basic computer, IT and clinical documentation skills

• New Zealand registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, with a current practicing certificate and minimum experience of 2 years

• Hold Enable NZ Accredited Assessor status, be Service Accredited or eligible to become accredited
• A full, current driver's licence– essential
• Hold relevant residency status to work in New Zealand – essential

About the Location

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life.  It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz).  Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.

We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options! 

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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tara Penketh, Recruitment Advisor (Allied Health) at Tara.Penketh@tewhatuora.govt.nz>

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date.  We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences.