Occupational Therapist

Palmerston North Hospital Permanent – Full time Ready to make a difference in mental health and addiction care? Join us and help shape the future of wellbeing in the Manawatū community. 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 Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau / Occupational Therapist within Te Uru Rāhui – Mental Health & Addiction Services, you will play a pivotal role in delivering safe, effective, contemporary care that is person‑centred and whānau‑centred. This role is part of our multidisciplinary community mental health team. Our service works to provide a whānau ora, wellness‑and recovery‑focused model that encourages interconnectedness socially, spiritually, physically, and environmentally, supporting the aspiration of WAIORA – flourishing individuals, whānau, and communities. This is a Permanent, Full‑Time position based at Palmerston North Hospital and reports to the Manawatū Locality Mental Health & Addictions Service Manager. About you We're looking for a passionate Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau / Occupational Therapist who is committed to supporting recovery and improving wellbeing for adults experiencing mental health and addiction challenges. If you thrive in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment, value collaboration, and bring creativity, cultural responsiveness, and a whānau‑centred approach to your practice, we would love to hear from you. You will: Be a Registered Occupational Therapist with a current Annual Practising Certificate. Bring experience or strong interest in adult mental health and/or addiction. Two years' clinical experience is preferred. Applications from new graduates will also be welcomed where there is a willingness to undertake the NESP programme. Be energised by innovation and excited about shaping evolving service developments. Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and a team‑of‑teams' mindset. Be solutions‑focused, proactive, and deeply committed to equity and whānau‑centred care. Embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute as our service transforms. What We’re Looking For Our ideal candidate will: Have a passion for working with whānau and supporting them to achieve their aspirations and flourish. Be skilled in delivering occupation‑based assessments and interventions that support recovery and wellbeing. Champion Māori health outcomes and integrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into everyday practice. Bring strong communication and relationship‑building skills, supporting collaboration across services. Contribute to service improvement, clinical practice development, and professional leadership within the team. 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. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College. Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here:Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz). Check out ourcareers sitehere for more information about Palmerston North hospital. 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. 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