Social Worker - MHSOP at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Social Worker – MHSOP

Join the Acute Social Work Team | Dunedin Hospital

We're excited to offer an opportunity for a passionate Social Worker to join our dynamic and supportive Acute Social Work team at Dunedin Hospital. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment and want to be part of a service committed to excellence, this is the role for you.

What We're Offering

• Permanent part-time (0.5 FTE) 20hrs per week
• A friendly, knowledgeable, and highly skilled team
• Regular supervision, professional development, and peer support

• We have other Social Worker positions available throughout the hospital, so if you're looking for a full‑time role, we would still welcome your application.

About the Role

As part of the Allied Health Unit Social Work team, you will provide health social work assessment and planned interventions for acute adult inpatients—supporting safe and efficient discharge back into the community.

You'll work across a variety of clinical areas, including:

• Cardiorespiratory
• General Surgery
• Acute Orthopaedics & Neurosciences
• Medical & Acute Stroke
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Renal Service (inpatient, outpatient, community)
• Psychogeriatric Services (inpatient, outpatient, community)

This is an opportunity to work within a motivated, multidisciplinary environment where your skills, initiative, and compassion are valued every day.

View position description

What You'll Be Doing

You will play a key role in assessing client needs and supporting them through their hospital journey. This includes:

• Responding confidently to complex situations involving elder abuse, family violence, and child protection
• Maintaining a calm, solutions‑focused approach in a busy clinical environment
• Working collaboratively across the multidisciplinary team
• Adapting within a constantly changing health setting

This position also includes participation in a weekend on‑call roster, so flexibility is essential.

About You

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• Strong social work knowledge and a commitment to high‑quality care
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Registration with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board (NZSWRB)
  and a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• Experience in an acute hospital setting, or acute placement experience (preferred)
• A strong understanding of the social determinants of health

This is your chance to make a meaningful difference every day and grow your career within a supportive team.

If you are ready for a challenging, rewarding, and purpose‑driven role — we want to hear from you!

Salary range:

This role belongs to the PSA/DHBs Allied, Public Health and Technical Multi-Employer Collective Agreement and falls between Step 1 ($77,087 p.a) and Step 8 ($110,210 p.a pro rata) of the Degree-Based Allied, Public Health and Technical scale.

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 Sunday 10 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.