Core Occupational Therapist - Tiaho Mai, Inpatient Mental Health
Full Time, Permanent
Remuneration as per PSA Allied Health MECA guidelines
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.
The Opportunity
Tiaho Mai Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit is based at Middlemore Hospital in Counties Manukau, South Auckland. We serve the most diverse population in Aotearoa New Zealand, including strong Maaori and Pacific communities.
Our team is committed to multidisciplinary, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and evidence-based care. We support each other, learn from each other, and share a genuine dedication to providing the best outcomes for whaiora and their whanau.
Joining Tiaho Mai means becoming part of a team where your professional growth matters. You will work alongside colleagues who value collaboration, open communication, and a recovery-focused approach. Your ideas, experience, and judgement will be respected and encouraged.
The Tiaho Mai building is a great place to work. It was co-designed to support recovery-focused practice, with natural light, fresh air and a connection with nature that promotes calmness, social integration, and meaningful engagement. It is also close to public transport and parking.
We are looking for an experienced Occupational Therapist who is confident working with complexity and able to operate with autonomously within the current OT team.
This role includes adjusted work hours from mid-morning into the early evening, giving you the opportunity to conduct assessments and deliver therapeutic interventions at times when whaiora engagement is often strongest. It is well suited to someone who is comfortable managing their own workload and making sound clinical decisions.
If you are a clinician who enjoys working collaboratively to design and facilitate meaningful occupation-based programmes; and who thrives in a team building a high-performing, recovery-driven service, you will be a perfect fit.
In this role you will:
- Work closely with the MDT to co-ordinate care plans that enable whaiora to engage in meaningful occupations in the acute environment and in continuing in their recovery journey.
- Shape and facilitate a variety of therapeutic group and individual assessments and interventions that align with the needs, interests, goals and acute presentation of our whaiora/ clients.
- Contribute to service innovation and model-of-care development
- Bring OT-specific clinical judgement, initiative, and presence to a complex, high tempo setting.
- Work within the OT team to ensure practice aligns with competencies outlined by the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand
- Attend professional supervision and join the network of mental health occupational therapists working within the South Auckland/ Counties Manukau region
Important Skills:
- NZ Registered Occupational Therapist, with a current Annual Practising Certificate
- Experience working in a mental health environment
- Full, clean driver’s licence
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- An understanding of working within Pasifika communities
What we can offer you:
- Annual practicing certificate is refunded for every additional year of service
- Discounted services as part of our work perks
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 Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 16 December 2025. To apply please click “apply now.” To view the job description, please click here.
For more information on this role, please contact Amy on amy.lin@middlemore.co.nz.
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.