Allied Health Assistant - Nutrition & Dietetics

About the Company Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, striving to provide exceptional healthcare services to all New Zealanders. Our focus on integration and collaboration emphasizes partnership, equity, sustainability, and family-centered care. We are dedicated to building a health system that excels in these areas. About the Role We are seeking an Allied Health Assistant to join our dedicated Allied Health Dietitian team at Burwood Hospital. In this role, you will support the care of inpatients through both direct and indirect patient contact, as well as essential non-clinical activities. You will collaborate closely with our team of Dietitians who provide clinical dietetic services to inpatients within the Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation service at Burwood Hospital. Additionally, we offer an outpatient service for Orthopaedic weight management. Our team brings a diverse range of experience, ensuring you receive the support necessary for your professional development. Key Responsibilities - Assist registered dietitians by performing delegated tasks such as nutrition screening (using the MST tool), collecting anthropometric data, and analyzing food records. - Provide nutritional education and support to patients, nursing staff, and other healthcare assistants. - Conduct meal-time observations and monitor the intake of nutritional supplements. - Participate in clinical nutrition audits, patient satisfaction surveys, and quality improvement initiatives. - Maintain clear and accurate documentation in accordance with clinical standards and confidentiality policies. - Communicate effectively with patients, family/whanau, and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that communication is tailored to meet individual needs. - Engage in ongoing professional development, training, and supervision to enhance and maintain clinical skills. - Uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and promote equitable health outcomes for Māori and all populations. About You To excel in this role, you should have a minimum of NCEA Level 1 in English and Maths (or an equivalent qualification), along with a willingness to complete a Level 3 Health and Wellbeing qualification if you have not already done so. We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following qualities: - Experience or a strong interest in health or disability settings, with a readiness to learn new skills. - Basic computer literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Teams being an advantage. - Ability to follow instructions and work under the supervision of qualified allied health professionals. - Experience in a hospital or healthcare setting with patient contact is desirable. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, exhibiting a respectful and supportive approach. - Competency in te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori, or a commitment to starting your journey in this area and taking ownership of your learning and growth. - Physical fitness to safely undertake tasks that require manual handling. - A full, current New Zealand driver’s license. - Basic first aid knowledge and a willingness to undertake CPR training annually. - A commitment to cultural safety, equity, and improving health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples. Working for Health New Zealand At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we believe in the weaving of wellnesses, and we are dedicated to providing outstanding healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our Equity Work Programme focuses on encouraging everyone in the health system to prioritize equity in their work and fosters the cultural change needed to achieve equitable health outcomes. Our people are central to everything we do. We are committed to being exemplary employers and fulfilling our equal employment opportunity obligations. We particularly encourage applications from diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply To view the full position description or to apply for this role, please visit our online careers portal. All applications must be submitted through this portal before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 6. If you have any questions regarding the role, please reach out to Alex Jay at alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz. Please note that to be eligible for this role, you must hold the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. Applications from individuals who do not have this legal right will not be considered. We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date. Therefore, we encourage you to apply early.