Social Worker - Physical Health

Marketplace; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 113,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Southern in Invercargill is seeking a Social Worker – Physical Health to support inpatients and whānau on acute wards. You will conduct psychosocial assessments, plan discharges, and advocate for patient flow within a collaborative team.

The role is permanent part-time (0.9FTE, 36 hours weekly) within the Southland Allied Health team, offering a rich clinical variety and opportunities to grow your practice in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Registered with the NZ Social Workers Registration Board.
• Current Annual Practising Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessments for inpatients and whānau on acute wards.
• Deliver targeted psychosocial interventions and discharge planning.
• Support safeguarding and timely transitions of care.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community providers.
• Adapt across medical, surgical and other hospital areas as needed.

Skills

Registration (NZ Social Workers Reg. B

Education

Annual Practising Certificate

Job description

# Social Worker - Physical Health at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Southland## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role**Social Worker – Physical Health****Southland Hospital**Salary range: $79,014 – 112,965 (Allied Health SECA)* **Permanent, Part-Time 0.9FTE (36hours per week)**Make a difference every day by supporting patients and their whānau through complex health journeysThis is a rewarding opportunity to work across acute ward settings, using your social work expertise to promote wellbeing, reduce barriers to care, and support patient flow. Southland's generalist approach offers a rich variety and the chance to grow your practice in a connected, supportive environment.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**As a Hospital Social Worker, you'll provide support predominately to inpatients and their whānau on acute wards—delivering psychosocial assessments, targeted interventions, discharge planning, and safeguarding support. You'll work closely with the interdisciplinary team and community providers to ensure safe, holistic, and timely transitions of care.While primarily based in medical and surgical wards, you'll also provide flexible support across other hospital areas as needed and have a small outpatient caseload. Southland values generalists—so your adaptability, breadth of knowledge, and collaborative mindset will be key to your success.**About the Team/Service/ Location**Our Southland Allied Health team is small enough to foster strong relationships and collegial support, yet broad enough to offer rich clinical variety. You'll be part of a collaborative environment that prioritises quality, equity, and whānau-centred care, with district-wide professional networks across the Southern region.Based in Invercargill, Southland Hospital offers short commutes, affordable living, and easy access to Queenstown, Dunedin, and Fiordland's natural beauty.**About you**You will:* Be registered with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (essential)* Ideally have 2+ years' experience in health, disability, or aged care settings* Be confident working across diverse patient groups in a hospital environment* Demonstrate strong assessment, communication, and advocacy skills* Have a sound understanding of Aotearoa's health and social service system, and experience working within an interdisciplinary team**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. **How to Apply**To apply please click “**apply now**.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by **Sunday 22 November**. If you have any questions about the role, please contact [e-mail]*We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.*## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern || Location: | Southland || Position type: | Permanent Part time || Category: | Health || Date listed: | 22-Oct-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 22-Nov-2026 || Reference: | 54091 || Attachment: | social work PD .pdf (PDF, 355KB) || File links: | || Website: | |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.