Occupational Therapist
Live and work in Whakatāne, a welcoming coastal town with a gorgeous coastline and strong community spiritFull-time, fixed-term position up until May 2027 1.0 FTEA varied acute role across medical, surgical, paediatric, and emergency settingsHealth 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 RoleBring your Occupational Therapy skills into a dynamic acute hospital environment where variety and clinical challenge are part of every day.
This role rotates across medical, surgical, and paediatric wards, with opportunities to contribute to service development within the Emergency Department and Acute Care Unit.Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, you will complete assessments, deliver interventions, and support discharge planning for patients with orthopaedic, neurological, and general medical needs.The focus is on enabling patients to return safely to their home environment, with strong coordination between hospital and community services.This position offers the opportunity to expand your clinical scope while contributing to the growth of acute occupational therapy services in Whakatāne.About the Team/Service/LocationYou will part of the Acute Occupational Therapy team within Te Koru Rehabilitation, a well-connected allied health service that includes rehabilitation, dietetics, pelvic health, outpatient physiotherapy, speech language therapy, podiatry, and hand therapy.
The team is supportive, collaborative, and focused on delivering high quality, patient centred care across the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Based in Whakatāne, the area is surrounded by beaches, rivers, native bush, offering a lifestyle that supports both wellbeing and professional fulfilment.Click here to learn more about the Bay of PlentyAbout YouYou will be a New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapist who brings adaptability, sound clinical judgement, and a strong focus on patient outcomes.
You work confidently across a range of clinical settings and value both independent practice and teamwork. Whether early in your career or experienced in acute care, you are motivated to develop your skills, contribute to service improvement, support patients and whānau through meaningful rehabilitation.What you will bring:Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and a valid Annual Practicing CertificateExperience in rehabilitation and or acute hospital settings, preferredStrong clinical reasoning and problem-solving skillsAbility to work both autonomously and within an interdisciplinary teamExcellent communication skills with colleagues, agencies, patients, and whānauTo view the Position Description please click hereWorking for Health New ZealandHealth 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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.How to ApplyTo apply for the role please click apply now.All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 10 July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact bp-Careers@tewhatuora.govt.nzPlease note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.