Occupational Therapist – Child, Adolescent and Family South Service

• Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
• Full-time, fixed term 1FTE (40 hours per week) until 30th October 2026
• Includes Rolleston and Selwyn district 
• NZ Registered Allied Health professional with Annual Practicing Certificate is essential
• Experience in a mental health setting is highly desirable
  

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

CAF South (Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health Service South Community & Outreach Team) is a specialist mental health service that provides assessment and treatment of young people up to 18 years of age who present with serious mental health problems, and their family/whanau. This is definitely challenging and demanding work within a supportive team to provide focussed interventions for improving functioning and enabling transition to community supports.

About You

We are looking for a professional and highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join our team. To be successful in our team you will need to display a positive attitude and enthusiasm for this area of work, you will enjoy being part of a committed and diverse multi-disciplinary team, you will work in collaboration with a group of professionals that recognises the importance of providing quality care and services to Whaiora, their friends and whānau. Interacting with a variety of stakeholders, you will have an ability to effectively case manage and provide occupational therapy assessments, formulations and interventions in the community. 

• You will work within a multi-disciplinary team, and in collaboration with our tāngata whaiora and their family/whanau, primary care, community supports and our inpatient teams.
• It is essential that you have the ability to think on your feet, triage and prioritise tāngata whaiora’s needs appropriately, and in a timely manner.
• You will work alongside tāngata whaiora who you will proactively engage with and support to engage with their treatment and other holistic supports.
• Highly developed risk assessment is important, as is your ability to develop effective rapport with people who may be mentally unwell or distressed.
• A key aspect of this role is the assessment and formulation of occupational therapy interventions, you will then take responsibility for undertaking these interventions alongside Whaiora.
• Liaising with whānau and other carers, NGOs, police, probation and other services is all part of this community-based role.
• There is an expectation that you will initiate, develop and provide group-based interventions for Whaiora.
• A minimum of 2 year’ experience in a mental health setting is preferable;
• New Zealand Registration as an Allied Health Professional with Annual Practicing certificate is essential

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 career’s portal.  If you have any questions about the role, please contact Nat Gaunt - 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.