START Rehabilitation Assistant

Taranaki District Health Board; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora's START team delivers early discharge care to home-based recovery for older people after acute events. You will provide rehabilitation and enablement under supervision of registered professionals, helping clients regain independence at home.

You will work in a dynamic START team to reduce readmissions, support families, manage medications and nutrition, and identify deterioration while upholding Tikanga and Kaupapa Māori principles.

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.
• Passion for working within a high-performing team.
• Knowledge of Tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Kaupapa Māori principles, with a commitment to implementing Te Toi Ahorangi strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support recovery and independence at home.
• Help reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life.
• Assist with medication and nutrition management.

Skills

Allied Health Assistant

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Teamwork

Cultural safety

Job description

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.

For more information on living and working in Taranaki click here

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.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: TAR06267

Location:

North Island - Taranaki - New Plymouth

Job type:

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise:

Clinical - Allied Health - Therapy Assistant