Diversional Therapist

Heritage Lifecare; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Professional development

Collaborative work environment

Make a difference

Job summary

Heritage Lifecare is hiring a Diversional Therapist for Broadview Lifecare in Whanganui. This permanent full-time role (32 hours or more per week) runs Monday to Friday and focuses on meaningful, resident-centred activities across physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs.

You will engage residents with creative activity ideas, foster community involvement, and support a warm, inclusive caring environment within our heritage community.

Qualifications

• Diversional Therapy qualification required.
• Experience in psychogeriatric/dementia care helpful.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management and ability to multitask.
• Leadership ability to guide a small team.
• Must hold a full driver license and be able to drive a manual van.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement diversional activities meeting residents' physical, cognitive, social, spiritual and emotional needs.
• Encourage resident involvement and community participation.
• Use creativity to develop new activity opportunities.

Skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Time management

Driver license

Education

Diversional Therapy qualification

Job description

• Full Time
• Application Closes 18 Oct 2026
• Manawatu - Whanganui
• Healthcare Support Worker

Join our team at Broadview Lifecare to make a positive impact on the lives of our residents by providing exceptional care in a warm and caring environment.

Broadview Lifecare is an 85-bed Care Home and Hospital with a 27-unit Village situated in a rural setting. We provide 4 services levels including psychogeriatric level of care which is a specialised service providing great learning opportunities for staff. We are located in the riverside city of Whanganui, which is an exciting place to work, live and raise a family. Our team comes from all around the world and are open and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. But we are all connected in our Heritage community by our passion for caring and empathy. Why would you want to work anywhere else?

About Us

Heritage Lifecare is one of the leading and largest aged care providers in New Zealand, and the largest dementia provider. We are a fast growing, dynamic organisation with 42 care homes and 20 villages from Whangarei to Invercargill, with an abundance of opportunity. We pride ourselves on being a caring community and have a supporting and nurturing culture; we are whānau.

About This Role

• Broadview Lifecare, located in Beautiful Whanganui
• Permanent Full- time (32 hours or more per week)
• Monday to Friday

As a Diversional Therapist, you will ensure residents have opportunities to be involved in interesting and varied activities offered to them daily that meet their physical, cognitive, social, spiritual and emotional needs, and encourage community involvement. This is a truly rewarding opportunity that will bring a difference in the lives of others. You will have a bubbly and enthusiastic personality and will genuinely enjoy working alongside our residents to ensure they are engaged in different activities that suit their interests and needs. You will enjoy using your creativity and ‘outside of the box’ ideas to come up with new opportunities and activities.

Skills & Experience

• A Diversional Therapy qualification
• Previous DT experience within psychogeriatric and dementia
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong time management and prioritizing skills, with the ability to multitask
• The ability to lead a team of others and work cohesively within a team environment
• Must have full driver license and able to drive a manual van or willing to learn
• Understanding of Nga Paerewa sectors standards and applying the Treaty of Waitangi standards in the workplace.

What’s In It For You

• Work for one of the most progressive aged care companies in New Zealand.
• Competitive pay scale based on skills & experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents.

Heritage Lifecare fosters an environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion. We uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Therefore, we may be unable to support a visa application for this role

• diversional-therapist-position-description-(3).pdf