Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Better Days NZ; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development budget

Flexible working options

Job summary

Better Days NZ is seeking a Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our Auckland-wide team. You will work alongside tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to enhance participation and independence in daily activities in home, school and community settings.

The role emphasizes strengths-based practice, neurodiversity-affirming approaches and trauma-informed care, with multidisciplinary collaboration and flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)
• Current OTBNZ registration and APC
• At least 1 year of post-qualification paediatric/ community experience
• Desirable experience with ACC or NZ funding pathways
• Autonomy working in homes and community settings
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice
• Full NZ driver licence and willingness to travel across Auckland
• Right to work in New Zealand

Responsibilities

• Conduct paediatric OT assessments across home, school, early learning, clinic and community settings.
• Develop individualized, evidence-informed plans to support participation in self-care, play, learning and community life.
• Assess and support sensory processing, motor skills, regulation and routines.
• Recommend and prescribe equipment, assistive technology, seating and housing modifications.
• Coach and collaborate with parents, kaiako, schools and other supports to ensure sustainable strategies.
• Collaborate with Better Days colleagues across allied disciplines.
• Review progress and maintain high-quality notes, reports and funder documentation.

Skills

Autonomy

Collaboration

Culturally responsive

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

OTBNZ registration

Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

Tools

Driver's licence

Job description

Paediatric Occupational Therapist | Auckland Wide| Full Time (Part Time May Be Considered)

Better Days started with a simple vision: to provide better community-centredsupport services for people living withdisability, and to be a better place to work for all team members by putting our clinicians at the front andcentreof what we do.

We are excited to be looking for a person who lives our values and wants to make an impact by supportingclientsand whānau to achieve better outcomes in their homes,communitiesand everyday lives.
You will join a national company founded and run by clinicians, for clinicians, delivering client-first care guided by our values.

Why does this role feel different

Are you a Paediatric Occupational Therapist looking for a role where your expertise is genuinely valued?

Better Days is growing in Auckland, and we are looking for a passionate Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our supportive, clinician-led team. You will work alongsidetaromari,rangatahiand their whānau to build participation, independence and confidence in the activities that matter to them. Your work will bestrengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informedand focused on practical outcomes that translate into everyday life.

• A caseload with genuine clinical range—from early developmental support and neurodiversity-affirming practice to complex neurological rehabilitation,equipmentand housing assessments.
• Real interdisciplinary practice, including regular MDT discussion, jointassessmentsand shared therapy sessions.
• Flexibility to organise your appointments and working day, supported by realistic KPIs.
• Easy access to senior clinical advice, formalsupervisionand mentoring when you need another perspective.
• The opportunity to deepenyourpaediatricskills through complex clinical work, ACC pathways, equipmentprescriptionand relevant professional development.
• A warm approachable Auckland team clinically involved leaders and values that show up in everyday decisions.
• We Get Sh*t Done!
• We are People People
• Love What You Do
• Frankly, we Give a Damn
• We Value Ourselves
  

Industry-leading support and benefits | Huanga

• A great team culture, genuinely supportive, clinician-led team with approachable leaders
• Flexible working options, including the ability to start or finish your day from home where appropriate
• Realistic KPIs, with Better Rewards when you exceed expectations during a cycle
• Professional development budget to support broadening your specialist skills
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced clinicians
• Regular supervision,mentoringand interdisciplinary collaboration
• Meaningful work supporting children, young people and their whānau
• Team dinners, socialconnectionandvery goodcoffee

Job Description

Complex, meaningfulpaediatricwork—with the freedom to shape your day and a team beside you when it matters.

You might start your morning supporting a child’s participation at school, complete a joint home visit with a physiotherapist or speech-language therapist, and spend the afternoon developing practical sensory, self-care or equipment solutions with a whānau.

The work is varied, oftencomplexand always grounded in real life. You will supporttamarikiandrangatahiwith neurological injury, developmental and disability-related needs, neurodiversity, sensorydifferencesand trauma-related presentations.

Your work may include early intervention, rehabilitation, equipment and seating, housing solutions, functional skill development, and support across home, school,clinicand community settings.

• Completepaediatricoccupational therapy assessments across home, school, early learning,clinicand community environments.
• Developindividualised, evidence-informed plans that support participation in self-care, play, learning,relationshipsand community life.
• Assess and support sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, regulation, routines, environmentalaccessand functional independence.
• Recommend and prescribe equipment, assistive technology, seating and environmental or housing modifications whereappropriate.
• Coach and collaborate with parents, caregivers,kaiako, schools and other key supports so strategies are useful,achievableand sustainable.
• Work closely with Better Days colleagues across occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language therapy, psychology, social work, rehabilitationcoachingand other disciplines.
• Review progress, adapt intervention and communicate clearly through high-quality notes,reportsand funder documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy (or an equivalent recognised qualification)
• Current registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) and a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• At least 1 year of post-qualification experience in paediatric, community, rehabilitation, disability, or a related occupational therapy setting
• Experience with ACC or New Zealand funding pathways is useful. (highly desirable)
• Confidence working autonomously in homes and community settings, alongside a willingness to ask, share and collaborate
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice
• A full New Zealand driverlicence, access to a vehicle and availability to travel across Auckland
• Evidence of your right to work in New Zealand

Additional Information

Commitment to Diversity:

At Better Days we embrace diversity, inclusivity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities including neurodiverse individuals.

If you thinkyou’dbe great in this role butdon’tmeet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply,we’dlove to hear from you.