Play Specialist
Hospital Play Specialist
Rangatira Paediatric Ward, Waitākere Hospital·
Permanent, full-time position (1.0FTE)
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 Hospital Play Specialist, you will be working directly with tamariki, rāngatahi and whānau to support their psychosocial needs and well-being during their medical experiences within a healthcare setting. Using therapeutic play, preparation and coping strategies, your work will provide support for reducing stressors and anxiety often associated with hospitalisation and medical interventions.
About the Team/Service:
Rangatira Ward is an acute general medical paediatric ward caring for children aged 0 - 15 years with a range of short and long-term illnesses and disabilities. We are a close-knit team, committed to providing quality whānau centred care. We work closely with the Children’s Community Nurse Specialist team, Paediatric Outpatient services, Primary and Public health providers and Emergency Care Centres.
Health New Zealand Waitematā provides health services to approximately 650,000 residents of the North Shore, Waitakere, and Rodney areas. It has the largest population of any district health area.
For more information on living and working in the Waitematā District, click here
About you:
As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will bring creativity, flexibility, and compassion. You will require excellent communication skills to build positive rapport with those you are working with. While working closely with the multidisciplinary team, your skills, knowledge and understanding of child development will assist in better health outcomes for those accessing our services.
You will also need the following:
- A recognised early childhood or primary teaching qualification, A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Hospital Play Specialist Hospital, Play Specialist Association Registration or be committed to working towards this
Leave your commuting worries behind and join a team of dedicated professionals at Waitākere Hospital. Apply online today! We can’t wait to meet you.
Please click here for position description.
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 by 27 October 2026 (with an updated CV & Cover Letter). If you have any questions about the role, please contact Andrea Harris, Charge Nurse Manager: Andrea.Harris@tewhatuora.govt.nz
For recruitment specific questions please contact Lissa Crook, Recruitment Consultant: lissa.crook@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Job reference: WDHB22023
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
