Occupational Therapy - Art Team

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Taranaki; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Taranaki invites an Occupational Therapist to join the ART Team at Taranaki Base Hospital. This permanent position (0.94 FTE, 75.2 hours per fortnight) offers involvement across ED, inpatient, and community settings within a future-focused model of patient care.

The role emphasizes rapid, patient-centred assessments and services across disciplines, with support for bicultural practice, equity outcomes for Māori, and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate registration.
• Current New Zealand Full driver’s license.
• Commitment to translating evidence into practice.
• Commitment to biculturalism.
• Commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori.
• Understanding of healthcare in New Zealand.
• Computer literacy: Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy assessments and interventions as part of the Allied Response Team (ART).
• Collaborate with ED, in-patient and community teams to deliver rapid, holistic care.
• Support discharge planning with short-term packages of services.
• Work across ED, AU and various hospital wards and patients’ homes as required.

Skills

NZ Annual Practising Certificate

Full NZ driver’s license

Evidence-based practice

Biculturalism

Equity for Māori

Healthcare in NZ understanding

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Occupational Therapist ART Team Taranaki Base Hospital Permanent 0.94FTE (75.2 hours per fortnight)

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

Stimulating, interdisciplinary position available for vibrant, future focus occupational therapist; that would like to build their experience and looking for an opportunity to work within a future focussed model of patient care.

You will join our Allied Response Team (ART). The ART team works as an essential member of Health New Zealands Emergency Department (ED) in New Plymouth, and across the in-patient teams as well as community.

The purpose of the ART service is to work alongside clinical staff to provide a holistic rapid response to a patients care and support needs. By providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work assessments and services. ART support medical teams to put in place rapid treatment/therapy and short-term package of services that supports patients when they are discharge from hospital care.

ART is a unique and diverse team that works interdisciplinary. The team works mainly in ED & AU and in patients homes, but also across medical, orthopaedic and surgical wards. ART provide patient centred care, by the right discipline, at the right time and in the most appropriate location. We believe that the right support at the right time facilitates and support patients recovery in their own home.

We support and welcome flexible working.

About the Team/Service/Location

Te Whatu Ora Taranaki employs approximately 350 allied health professionals across its services. You will be joining an experienced, patient focused and friendly team that is diverse in skills and experience, a team that welcomes collaboration, and work very close as an interprofessional team. We value the contribution of each team member.

To hear more about our culture, view the video on ourcareers page.

For more information on living and working in Taranaki click here

At Te Whatu Ora Taranaki, we believe having workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community. We are a pro-equity Health Organisation, with a focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

Why join us

When you choose to work with us, we will offer you:

• Orientation and induction to our organisation and your department
• Internal / External Professional development
• Access to clinical training and education

About you

Essential:

• Current New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate registration
• Current New Zealand Full drivers license
• A commitment to translating evidence into practice.
• A commitment to biculturalism.
• A commitment to achieving equitable outcomes for Maori.
• An understanding of healthcare in New Zealand.
• Computer literacy: Microsoft word, Microsoft outlook.

Desired:

• 4 years Experience working in the above clinical areas.
• Knowledge of standardised assessment and outcome measures.
• Knowledge of ACC and MOH health funding streams.
• Prioritise using time management and delegation skills.
• Demonstrate ability to facilitate team working.

You will be able to:

• Work as effective team member.
• Show evidence of ongoing learning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way to your role.

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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Deadline: 15-11-2026

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Elmien at [e-mail]

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert. Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.