Social Worker - Community Paediatrics at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley, Wellington Hospital

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital 

Contract: Permanent, Full Time 1 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 Role

Salary: MECA Step or $88,627 - $110,210 

This is a full time, permanent position working in the community in the Child Health Service. 

The Community Child Health Social Work role is based at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals working with patients aged 0 - 15 years and their whānau in the outpatient and the community setting in the Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti geographical areas.

This role works with a diverse group of paediatric patients that have a range of chronic and acute health needs, providing support to children following their discharge from hospital and supporting the removal of barriers to children - s health care.  You will also work alongside your paediatric inpatient social work colleagues to support children receiving oncology treatment for cancer. 

You will complete psycho social assessments and work alongside whānau, the Child Health Multi-Disciplinary Team members and external agencies to improve children - s health outcomes.   When child protection concerns are identified you will work in partnership with whānau to complete a risk assessment and safety plan to address these issues.

The role provides cover into other inpatient areas at Wellington Hospital as needed and social work on Saturday - s across inpatient services on a roster basis, approximately 3 -4 times per year receiving penal pay rates.

About the Team/Service/Location

We are a team of 23 social workers based at Wellington Hospital who provide a service to patients and their whānau across inpatient, outpatient and community settings.  We complete psycho social assessments across the age range and provide holistic social work interventions.  This role is well supported by the other Paediatric, Neonatal and Women - s Health Social Workers in the team.  Come and join our friendly experienced team in a supportive workplace environment. 

About you

As the successful candidate you will have a passion for working in this area and be highly motivated to support patients and whānau navigate their health journey.  You will be able to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and with external agencies.  Working with a diverse group of patients with significant health needs the post holder will require excellent documentation, communication and time management skills. This is a great opportunity for someone who is keen to work in this clinical area.

You will have an understanding of grief, loss and adjustment as it relates to health and a commitment to Te Tiriti o te Waitangi.  You will have excellent communication, documentation and time management skills. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds with the right skills and experience who share our values to apply and would greatly value seeing more applicants from our Māori and Pacific Peoples communities.

The successful applicant will have the following skills and attributes:

• NZ Registered Social Worker with current annual practicing certificate
• Minimum of 3 years social work practice
• The ability to complete psychosocial needs assessment
• Navigating and working within the legal requirements of health care and social work
• A clear understanding of the health needs of Māori and Pacific Island communities 
• Therapeutic social work counselling experience (desirable)
• Previous work in a health setting and a good understanding of health social work (desirable)

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 20 May. 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 advert.