Occupational Therapist - Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health Service at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Fixed term Part time opportunity (32 hours per week) based at Whakatata House
• Utilise your clinical skill and make a difference in the lives of tamariki/children who present with serious mental health issues
• Work within an experienced multidisciplinary team
• Child Integrated Care Team 

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

Do you want to help tamariki/children and their whanau manage mental health difficulties? Are you reliable, self-motivated and want to contribute to effective service delivery? Can you appropriately adapt your Occupational Therapy skills for our client group?

The Child Integrated Care Team (Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health Service) is a specialist mental health service that provides assessment and treatment of Tamariki/Children aged 5 - 13 years under Oranga Tamariki custody or support orders (or who have had a Gateway Assessment in the previous 12 months) and are struggling to manage their daily life at home, school or in the community due to serious mental health issues or concerns. We have a fixed term, part time opportunity for a NZ Registered Occupational Therapist with a clear passion for young people and their families. This is challenging and demanding work within a dedicated multidisciplinary team, offering plenty of collegial support and continued professional development opportunities.

This position will see you working 32 hours across Monday - Friday, 0830 - 1700 based at Whakatata House in central Christchurch. The Team covers Waitaha/Canterbury and travel will be required.

Please note this is a fixed term position from May 2025 to May 2026 covering parental leave - the incumbent can give a one month notice of intention to return to work.

About You

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Undertaking comprehensive mental health assessments utilising clinical interviewing, diagnostic, behavioural and appropriate specific assessment;
• Formulating and delivering appropriate intervention plans;
• Providing case management and working collaboratively with external agencies;
• Providing profession specific assessment and intervention;
• Promoting your professional perspective in clinical conversations;
• Participating in rostered working hour duties including responding to crisis / emergency presentations;
• Presenting assessments and materials to other groups;
• Liaison with other Government agencies especially Oranga Tamariki;
• Liaison with Non-Government Organisations (NGO - s) and Regional services.

Your skills will include:

• Excellent assessment skills and a sound knowledge of available treatment options;
• Proven organisational skills combined with excellent communication skills that enable you to work with various non-clinical stakeholders in this role;
• Clinical experience working in a child or adolescent mental health service;
• NZ Registration and current Annual Practicing Certificate is essential;
• A NZ driver - s license is essential.

Bring your enthusiasm and motivation to work with us and we - ll provide you with a great opportunity to enhance your skills in a specialty area.

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 Friday 28th March. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Natalie Gaunt at natalie.gaunt@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

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