Social Worker

This role is recommended for current MidCentral employees Social Worker Palmerston North Hospital Permanent – Full time 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 Our Social Work service provides professional support across inpatient, outpatient and community settings throughout the MidCentral region, including Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Tararua. As part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, you’ll work alongside medical, nursing and allied health professionals to provide high-quality social work services that support safe discharge planning, improve patient outcomes and promote independence. This is a diverse role with opportunities to work across a range of clinical areas, including: Medical and Surgical Services Rehabilitation Older Persons Health Regional Cancer Treatment Service Emergency Department Intensive Care Women's Health Paediatrics Community-based services across the MidCentral district No two days are the same, offering variety, professional growth and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across multiple services. You’ll provide comprehensive social work assessment, intervention, advocacy and support for patients and their families/whānau experiencing the social impacts of illness, injury or disability. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will: Deliver high-quality, person-centred social work interventions. Support patients and whānau to navigate complex health and social situations. Coordinate safe, timely and effective discharge planning. Connect patients with community resources, disability supports and other relevant services. Advocate for equitable health outcomes and culturally safe practice. Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to continuous service improvement. Work collaboratively across a variety of clinical specialties as service needs require. About you You’ll be a caring, adaptable and collaborative Social Worker who enjoys working in a fast-paced healthcare environment and is committed to achieving positive outcomes for patients and whānau. You’ll bring: A recognised Social Work qualification (Level 7 or above). Registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (or eligibility to obtain registration within six months). A minimum of two years’ experience working within the health sector. Sound knowledge of health conditions, community resources and disability support services. Excellent communication, assessment and decision-making skills. The ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams. A strong commitment to culturally safe practice and improving equitable health outcomes for Māori in accordance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A current full New Zealand driver’s licence. Experience working within hospital-based social work, knowledge of relevant health and disability legislation, and membership of ANZASW would be advantageous. About the Location Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. It’s a family‑friendly place that’s easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. Our central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We actively encourage a life‑work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options! 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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tara Penketh, Recruitment Advisor (Allied Health) at [email protected]. Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio‑economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children’s worker under the Children’s Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences. #J-18808-Ljbffr