Health Care Assistant - Ophthalmology

• Hawkes Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
• Permanent, part-time, 64 hours (0.8 FTE per fortnight)
• Hawke’s Bay offers the best of both worlds — rewarding professional opportunities and an unbeatable lifestyle in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions.
• Enjoy supportive teams, ongoing development opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact on patient care.

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 Health Care Assistant in Ophthalmology, you will play a vital role in supporting our clinical team to deliver safe, high-quality care to patients receiving eye health services. On any given day, you may assist with patient flow through clinics, prepare rooms and equipment, support clinicians during procedures, and ensure patients feel welcomed, informed, and comfortable throughout their visit.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a specialised service where your contribution directly supports improved vision and quality of life for our community. You will work closely with nurses, technicians, and ophthalmologists, gaining exposure to a broad range of eye health procedures and clinical environments.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

Our Ophthalmology team is a supportive, multidisciplinary group dedicated to delivering timely and compassionate eye care for the Hawke’s Bay community. You will be part of a collaborative service that values teamwork, learning, and high-quality patient outcomes.

For more information on living and working in Hawkes Bay click here.

About you

As a Health Care Assistant, you will be a compassionate, reliable, and proactive member of our Ophthalmology team. You will be comfortable working in a busy, fast-paced clinical environment and demonstrate a genuine commitment to delivering excellent patient care. You will take pride in supporting both patients and clinicians, maintaining a calm and reassuring presence, and ensuring a smooth and safe patient journey through our service.

You will bring:
• Previous experience in a healthcare, patient-facing, or clinical support role, ideally within a hospital or outpatient setting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients of all ages, including those who may feel anxious or have limited vision
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workloads, and work efficiently during busy clinic sessions
• A commitment to infection control, safe practice, and high standards of cleanliness, especially when preparing equipment and clinical spaces
• A positive, team-focused attitude, with the willingness to support colleagues, adapt to service needs, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive workplace culture
• A desire to learn and develop, particularly in specialised Ophthalmology procedures and equipment used within the service
• Basic computer literacy and the ability to accurately record information, supporting patient flow and clinical documentation

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.

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.