Occupational Therapist - Intellectually Disabled Persons Health at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Provide Occupational Therapy assessment and design interventions for individuals with an Intellectual Disability and a co-morbid mental health illness;
• NZ Registration with the Occupational Therapy board is essential;
• Experience in working with individuals with an Intellectual Disability and/or Mental Health conditions is desirable.

Mō te tūnga | About the Role

Our Intellectually Disabled Persons Health (IDPH) Service is looking for two passionate Occupational Therapists to join our team! You will play an integral role within our multidisciplinary team and across our Specialist Service.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Occupational Therapists wanting to develop skills in functional assessment, sensory processing assessment and sensory modulation, cognitive functioning and prescribing equipment.

IDPH encompasses two services:

• A Psychiatric Service for Adults with Intellectual Disability (PSAID) which includes an acute inpatient service and a psychiatric community team. Our PSAID team provides psychiatric assessment and treatment to consumers aged 18 years or older who have an intellectual disability and a comorbid or suspected psychiatric disorders.
• A Forensic Service for individuals with an Intellectual Disability, which comprises of Whaikaha-a Forensic Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation inpatient Unit and an Intellectual Disability Liaison Community Team (IDL).

Our IDL/Whaikaha team provides services to consumers who have an Intellectual disability and require assessment and treatment within a secure hospital environment and/or are going through the court system.

We - re looking for two NZ Registered Occupational Therapists to work alongside other specialist staff and NGO providers to complete robust assessments and deliver interventions that enable consumers to develop crucial skills to manage their illness and to enable them to be more present and participate more meaningfully in the community. You - ll be based at our Hillmorton Hospital campus and will predominantly be based working across the two inpatient units, however there will be opportunity to engage in some community-based work and work across the service.

Ko wai koe | About You

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Engaging in all components of the Occupational Therapy Process including assessment, formulation, goal setting, treatment planning and report writing;
• Carrying out comprehensive Occupational Therapy assessments including sensory processing assessments and functional assessments;
• Liaising and consulting with residential providers to support them to carry out therapeutic programmes;
• Supporting transitions for consumers from admission through to discharge into the community;
• Therapeutic Group Facilitation;
• Working with consumers from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and bringing your enthusiasm and passion to achieve the best outcome for your consumers;
• Providing oversight of a therapeutic programme delivered by Allied Health Assistants.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage a varying caseload;
• As an effective communicator you will have a positive, engaging and solution focussed attitude to your work;
• Sound computer and technological literacy is advantageous;
• NZ Registered Occupational Therapist with current Annual Practicing Certificate (essential);
• Have Full NZ Drivers Licence or are working towards this.

Mō mātou | About Us

- Ko ngā tāngata, te mātua mahi - Putting people at the heart of all we do - .

Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand, leads the day-to-day running of our health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. It weaves the functions of the 20 former District Health Boards into its regional divisions and district offices, ensuring continuity of services in the health system.

Here in Waitaha, Canterbury we deliver health services to the almost 600,000 people that live in the Canterbury region. We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles by ensuring our partnership with Māori are at the forefront of all our conversations.

Ngā hua | Benefits of working at Te Whatu Ora [Health New Zealand]

When you work at the Te Whatu Ora, you are part of a wider whānau that will support you along your journey. You will receive

• Discount at numerous Christchurch and national retailers, gyms and restaurants;
• Successful candidates who are new to working within Mental Health will gain a place on the New Entry to Specialist Practice-NESP (Mental Health) postgraduate training course and be supported to develop their skills and knowledge within mental health practice throughout their first year;
• Competitive salary and annual leave rate;
• Regular clinical supervision with an experienced Occupational Therapist and support from your Clinical Occupational Therapy Specialist;
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and to gain experience within other areas of specialist mental health if this is of interest.

 Tono ināianei | Apply Now

Only applications submitted via our career site will be accepted, therefore apply directly on our career site here. 

For additional information about this role please contact: 

Emma Stainer, Clinical Occupational Therapy Specialist, IDPH/FMHS. Mob: 0225953296 Emma.Stainer@cdhb.health.nz

Shiv Chand, Clinical Nurse Manager Whaikaha Savinesh.Chand@cdhb.health.nz

Dianne Surgenor, Clinical Nurse Manager, PSAID Dianne.Surgenor@cdhb.health.nz