Occupational Therapy Community Clinical Lead

Taranaki District Health Board; New Plymouth; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to lead the Community Clinical team at Taranaki Base Hospital. The role provides clinical leadership, drives staff development, and coordinates high-quality occupational therapy across community and rural services in the Taranaki region.

The successful candidate will show strong clinical reasoning, leadership, and communication skills, with a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering responsive services to

Qualifications

• NZ-registered Occupational Therapist with APC and 7+ years of experience.
• Experience as a lead and managing a team.
• Experience with Enable NZ housing and equipment processes.
• Understanding ACC service/contracts for Wheelchair seating; Level 2 seating.
• Full NZ Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical supervision, staff orientation and performance development.
• Lead and coordinate community occupational therapy, wheelchair and seating services, equipment services, and rehabilitation services.
• Support service accreditation, staff training, and ongoing professional development.
• Ensure compliance with relevant professional, ACC and Enable New Zealand requirements and promote high-quality services.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical reasoning

Communication

Education

Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy

NZ Registered OT and APC

Job description

Occupational Therapy Community Clinical Lead

• Occupational Therapist Community Clinical Lead

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

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our team as the Community Clinical Leader at Taranaki Base Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity to provide clinical leadership, support staff development, and promote high-quality, safe, and effective occupational therapy services across Taranaki. The role provides leadership across community occupational therapy, wheelchair and seating services, equipment services, and Intermediate and Enhanced Intermediate Rehabilitation Services, with responsibilities including clinical supervision, staff orientation, performance development, quality assurance, and service coordination.

Working collaboratively with the Occupational Therapy Professional Lead, Allied Health teams, and multidisciplinary colleagues at Taranaki Base and Hāwera Hospitals, you will support consistent clinical practice, service improvement, and compliance with relevant professional, ACC, and Enable New Zealand requirements. You will also contribute to staff training, service accreditation, and the ongoing development of community and rural occupational therapy services across the region. This role would suit an Occupational Therapist with strong clinical reasoning, leadership and communication skills, who is passionate about supporting colleagues and delivering responsive, high-quality services to our community.

About the Team/Service/ Location

At Te Whatu Ora Taranaki we are committed to recognising the value our people bring to our organisation within a supportive team of healthcare professionals that provide comprehensive care to our patients.

We believe having workforce that is diverse and inclusive, we are a pro-equity Health Organisation, and this means that we will be better positioned to understand and serve our community.

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

A comprehensive orientation and induction to our organisation and your department

Access to clinical training and education

Opportunities to participate on local project and regional collaboration teams

Taranaki boasts some of New Zealands most iconic natural landscapes like Mt Taranaki and many adventure activities. The rugged and wild coastline is home to more than 12 world-class surf breaks. Taranaki is a place where you can ski and surf in the same day. For a more relaxing experience, there are many walks (bush, coastal or mountain) as well as art trails, festivals and award-winning museums and galleries and a thriving caf culture.

About you

A degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy.

NZ Registered Occupational Therapist and hold a current APC and 7 or more years experience.

Experienced as a lead and management of a team

Experience with Enable NZ housing and equipment processes and applications

Understanding ACC service / contracts for Wheelchair seating

Experienced in wheelchair and seating level 2

Full NZ Drivers Licence.

Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action.

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.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: TAR07069

Location:

North Island - Taranaki - New Plymouth

Job type:

Expertise:

Clinical - Allied Health - Occupational Therapist