START Rehabilitation Assistant

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora in New Plymouth is launching the START service to support early discharge and home-based rehabilitation for older clients. You will work under delegated supervision to help patients regain independence and avoid readmission, delivering compassionate, patient-centered care in the home setting.

The role emphasizes collaboration with a high-performing team, whānau involvement, and adherence to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles to improve health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Allied Health Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant or Health Care Assistant.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively support patients, whānau, and staff.
• Strong relationship-building abilities.
• Knowledge of Tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Kaupapa Māori principles.

Responsibilities

• Support recovery and independence at home.
• Help reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life for clients.
• Assist in delivering START home-based rehabilitation and enablement.
• Collaborate with registered health professionals and health care team.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Relationship-building

Patient-centered care

Cultural competency

Job description

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Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora – New Plymouth, North Island

11mo ago , from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

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 experienced Allied Health Assistants or Health Care Assistants to join our new service: START (Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team). START is an early supported discharge model of care designed to help primarily older people return home safely following an acute episode or injury. Rehabilitation and enablement continue in the home environment, delivered by trained health care assistants and support workers under the delegation of registered health professionals.

As a member of the START team, you will play a vital role in supporting recovery and independence at home. Your work will help reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life for our clients.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The START team will aim to reduce the risk of readmission to hospital through:

• Improving functional resiliency / independence
• Ensuring seamless re-integration back to primary care
• Managing issues related to medication, nutrition
• Managing carer stress
• Identifying deterioration in conditions

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new, innovative service that puts recovery and independence at the heart of care.

About you

Preferred candidates will bring inspiration, empowerment, and innovation to this role.

You will have:

• Proven experience as an Allied Health Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant or Health Care Assistant.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively support patients, whānau, and staff.
• Strong relationship-building abilities.
• Passion for working within a high-performing team.
• A focus on partnering with patients and whānau to achieve their health goals.
• Knowledge of Tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Kaupapa Māori principles, with a commitment to implementing Te Toi Ahorangi strategy.

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.