Senior Social Worker Heart and Lung Transplant
Do you enjoy supporting hauora and promoting equitable outcomes in the context of complex social factors?
The role is based at Te Toka Tumai - Auckland City Hospital and Greeenlane Clinical Centre
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
We are looking for an experienced New Zealand registered Senior Social Worker with proven clinical competence to work in our Adult Social Work Team, within the speciality area of Heart and Lung Transplant.
The focus of this role is working with patients and their whanau who are being considered for heart and lung transplants.You will complete initial psychosocial assessments and continue to work with patients during their transplant journey, guiding them through the complexities of the process from preparing patients mentally and emotionally to helping whanau to navigate financial and social barriers, ensuring holistic care.
You are required to participate in regular transplant team meetings, patient education groups, staff education sessions and selection committee meetings.You will support patients with plans to enhance their candidacy for transplant, including developing support plans to remove social barriers to transplant.
A strong understanding of carer stress, excellent advocacy skills and the ability to think critically and develop patient centred interventions is required.
You will be part of a large Adult Social Work service here at Te Toka Tumai working primarily in the Heart and Lung Transplant Service. The ability to clearly articulate the role of a Social Worker and the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team is essential.
You will be working with patients both admitted to the wards and in the outpatient clinic settings. Being able to independently prioritise and manage your workload is imperative. However, you will be provided with regular supervision and continuing professional development to enhance your capacity to engage in effective social work practice.You will receive regular support from your Practice Supervisor and Clinical Lead.
About you
Fully qualified and registered Social Worker with current Annual Practising CertificateMinimum four years of post-qualifying experience, preferably within the health context
Strong cultural knowledge; capacity to work effectively alongside Maori
An understanding of heart and lung disease and the social barriers to transplantation is desirable
Able to navigate complex dynamics as you hold the needs and best interests of the patient and whanau
Full, clean Class 1 drivers licence
The social work team operates an on-call service outside of working hours, primarily in the Emergency Department. The ability to participate in the roster is a requirement. Prior to commencing on the roster, you will be provided with training and will have the support of a Practice Supervisor during these shifts.
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About the Team/Service/ Location
The role is based across Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. There is a regular staff shuttle to support you to work between the sites. You will be the sole Social Worker in the Heart and Lung Transplant team, in addition to being a member of the Adult Social Work service.
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For more information about this role please contact Kristy Martin Clinical Lead on 021 570 628 or kristy.martin@tewhatuora.govt.nz
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 Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
Advertising closes: Monday 6 April 2026 at Time 11:59 pm (New Zealand standard time).
To apply please click on the `Apply tab below and submit your application online attaching your updated CV and Covering Letter.
Click here to view details about our recruitment process
If you have any queries about accessibility, or technical issues with the online process, please contact Vaidehi Sharma - Recruitment Consultant at Vaidehi.Sharma@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz quoting ref #ADHB24124 to discuss how we can best support your application.
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