Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapist Trauma Services

• Work where others come to holiday – enjoy the beaches, bustling cafes, and vibrant coastal lifestyle in Tauranga
• Full time position – 1.0 FTE
• Lead trauma services while maintaining strong clinical practice in a high-performing acute team

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

Step into a senior Occupational Therapy leadership role across Trauma Services at Tauranga Hospital, covering Wards 2 and 3A, 3B, 3c. This position blinds 80 percent clinical practice with 20 percent leadership. Maintain an active trauma caseload while leading a small team of four Occupational Therapists and one Allied Health Assistant.

Provide clinical supervision, strengthen advanced clinical reasoning, and drive staff development through structured mentoring and targeted education. Lead quality improvement initiatives and support safe, efficient, patient-centred care in a busy acute trauma environment.

This role also includes agreed clinical and mentoring support to Whakatāne Hospital, ensuring equity of service and shared expertise across the district.

About the Team/Service/Location

The exceptional Trauma Occupational Therapy team at Tauranga Hospital works within a dynamic service alongside surgical, orthopaedic, and multidisciplinary colleagues. The team is connected, supportive, and focused on delivering timely rehabilitation that promotes independence and safe discharge planning. Tauranga offers the professional rewards of a busy secondary hospital combined with an enviable coastal lifestyle.

Click here to learn more about the Bay of Plenty

About You

You will be an experienced Occupational Therapist with strong clinical judgement and a confident leadership presence. You lead by example, support others to grow, and value collaboration across disciplines. You are committed to culturally safe practice and equitable health outcomes.

What you will bring:

• Current Annual Practicing Certificate with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand
• Minimum of four years post-graduate experience, with acute or trauma experience preferred
• Proven experience providing clinical supervision and mentoring
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary acute hospital setting
• Demonstrated involvement in quality improvement or service development initiatives
• Strong cultural awareness and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles

To view the Position Description please click here

Working for 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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply for the role please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 7 April 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact bp-Careers@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.