Occupational Therapist

About the Company Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to providing excellent healthcare services to all New Zealanders. We are guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are committed to fostering a health system based on partnership, equity, sustainability, and whanau-centered care. We believe in the power of integration and collaboration to improve the health and wellbeing of communities, particularly in Canterbury. About the Role We are excited to announce a full-time, permanent opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join our supportive team at Christchurch Hospital. This position requires a commitment of 40 hours per week and will be based at the Acute Campus. As an Occupational Therapist, you will have the opportunity to work across various clinical areas within Christchurch Hospital, including Trauma, Orthopaedics, General Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Acute Stroke, Respiratory, Cardiology, Paediatrics, ICU, Emergency Department, Burns, Plastics, Oncology, Hand Therapy, and the Home Visit team. The specific area in which you will work will depend on your current skills and the needs of our service users. In this role, you will be responsible for: - Conducting comprehensive interdisciplinary assessments and patient-centered goal setting - Providing therapeutic interventions and education to patients, their whanau, and interdisciplinary team colleagues - Collaborating with patients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds to achieve the best outcomes - Delegating clinical tasks to Allied Health Assistants - Identifying service needs and contributing to quality improvement initiatives - Engaging in patient-centered discharge planning - Mentoring and supervising colleagues within the Occupational Therapy team - Participating in the weekend roster as part of the team About You We are looking for someone who is passionate about working in acute care and is eager to grow professionally as an Occupational Therapist. You can expect to receive ample support, including mentoring, supervision, and opportunities for professional development. Your skills should include: - Strong clinical assessment and problem-solving abilities - The capability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, fostering positive interpersonal relationships within the interdisciplinary team - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Strong clinical reasoning and evidence-informed practice - Effective time management, organizational, and prioritization skills - Experience with discharge planning - A commitment to engaging in quality improvement initiatives - Clinical experience within an acute hospital setting is preferred - A willingness to learn and share knowledge - A positive attitude and enthusiasm for the field - Registration with the NZ Occupational Therapy Board and a current Annual Practicing Certificate (or eligibility to obtain one) - A competency in te ao Maori, tikanga, and te reo Maori, or a commitment to starting your learning journey in these areas Working for Health New Zealand At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we prioritize the well-being of our people. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and upholding our equal employment opportunity obligations. We encourage applications from diverse communities, including Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply To view the position description and apply for this role, please visit our online careers portal. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on August 14, 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please reach out to Alex Jay at alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz or Clinical Manager Bronwyn Suzana at 0274 330 950 or bronwyn.suzana@cdhb.health.nz. Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date.