Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Better Days - NZ; Auckland; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Professional development budget

Regular supervision and mentoring

Meaningful work with children

Job summary

Better Days in Auckland is seeking a Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our clinician-led team, supporting tamariki and whānau to participate more fully in home, school and community life.

You will work across a wide caseload, from early development to complex rehabilitation, with flexible scheduling and strong multidisciplinary collaboration, supervision, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent.
• OTBNZ registration and APC current.
• At least 1 year paediatric/community rehab experience.
• Driver license and willingness to travel across Auckland.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive paediatric OT assessments across home, school and community.
• Develop individualised plans supporting participation in self-care, play, learning, relationships and community life.
• Assess sensory processing, motor skills, regulation, routines, and environmental access.
• Recommend equipment, seating and housing modifications where appropriate.
• Coach and collaborate with parents, kaiako, schools and other supports.
• Work with Better Days colleagues across disciplines and maintain high-quality notes and reports.

Skills

Paediatric OT

Autonomy

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

OTBNZ registration & APC

1 year paediatric/community rehab experience

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-centred support services for people living with disability, and to be a better place to work for all team members by putting our clinicians at the front and centre of what we do.

We are excited to be looking for a person who lives our values and wants to make an impact by supporting clients and whānau to achieve better outcomes in their homes, communities and 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 alongside tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to build participation, independence and confidence in the activities that matter to them. Your work will be strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed and 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, equipment and housing assessments.
• Real interdisciplinary practice, including regular MDT discussion, joint assessments and shared therapy sessions.
• Flexibility to organise your appointments and working day, supported by realistic KPIs.
• Easy access to senior clinical advice, formal supervision and mentoring when you need another perspective.
• The opportunity to deepen your paediatric skills through complex clinical work, ACC pathways, equipment prescription and 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, mentoring and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Meaningful work supporting children, young people and their whānau
• Team dinners, social connection and very good coffee

Complex, meaningful paediatric work—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, often complex and always grounded in real life. You will support tamariki and rangatahi with neurological injury, developmental and disability-related needs, neurodiversity, sensory differences and trauma-related presentations.

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

• Complete paediatric occupational therapy assessments across home, school, early learning, clinic and community environments.
• Develop individualised, evidence-informed plans that support participation in self-care, play, learning, relationships and community life.
• Assess and support sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, regulation, routines, environmental access and functional independence.
• Recommend and prescribe equipment, assistive technology, seating and environmental or housing modifications where appropriate.
• Coach and collaborate with parents, caregivers, kaiako, schools and other key supports so strategies are useful, achievable and sustainable.
• Work closely with Better Days colleagues across occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language therapy, psychology, social work, rehabilitation coaching and other disciplines.
• Review progress, adapt intervention and communicate clearly through high-quality notes, reports and 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 driver licence, access to a vehicle and availability to travel across Auckland
• Evidence of your right to work in New Zealand

Commitment to Diversity:

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