Occupational Therapy/Social Work - New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP)

Canterbury District Health Board; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Canterbury District Health Board invites recent graduates in Occupational Therapy and Social Work to join the Allied Health New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP) within the Specialist Mental Health Service in Waitaha Canterbury. These are 11-month supernumerary positions with allocated study days to apply learning to clinical practice.

We welcome Māori, Pacifica clinicians and those with lived mental health experience. Expect rotations, mentorship and structured supervision throughout 2027.

Qualifications

• New graduate OT or Social Worker.
• Registered or provisionally registered with OTBNZ or SWRB.
• NZ resident with a full driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 11-month NESP rotations across SMHS.
• Engage in thorough orientation and training.
• Receive workplace mentorship and regular supervision.
• Contribute to learning and professional development in mental health.

Skills

New graduate

Mental health

Clinical supervision

Education

OTBNZ registration

SWRB registration

Job description

Occupational Therapy/Social Work - New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP)

Exciting opportunities await New Graduate Occupational Therapists and Social Workers.

We arelooking for motivated and passionate Occupational Therapists and Social Workers to join the Allied Health New Entry to Specialist Practice (AH NESP) programmewithin Specialist Mental Health Service (SMHS), Waitaha Canterbury.

Thesepositions are supernumerary for 11months, providing opportunity to workalongside experienced and skilled Occupational Therapists and Social Workers toconsolidate and develop your clinical skills.

Withallocated study days, your study and learning will be applied to your clinicalpractice.

At SMHSwe are committed to building equity for tāngata whai ora and our Māori and Pacifica workforce. One ofthese supernumerary positions has been prioritised for a Māori or Pacificaclinician. We also welcome applicants with lived experience of mental health.

Thesesupernumerary NESP roles provide:

• Up to 2 rotationsthrough different clinical areas within SMHS.
• Thoroughorientation and training package.
• Provision of aworkplace mentor.
• Regular individualand group clinical supervision.
• Fixed term,11months (January – December)
• Ongoing communication ofpermanent role opportunities throughout 2027.

Youmust be:

• Either a new graduateOccupational Therapist or Social Worker, or a clinician with less than 2years’ experience within mental health.
• Registered ORprovisionally registered with OTBNZ or SWRB.
• Committed tolearning and developing your professional practice in mental healthdomain.
• A New Zealandresident, with a full driver’s license.