Social Worker

• Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital, Allied Health Therapies
• Permanent, Full-time 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE)

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 Registered Social Worker (Takawāenga), you’ll play a key role in delivering high‑quality social work services to adult clients admitted to our inpatient surgical wards. You’ll work alongside patients, tangata whaiora and their whānau to provide comprehensive assessments, develop culturally responsive interventions, and support safe, well‑coordinated discharge planning.

In this role, you will build strong therapeutic relationships, navigate complex social situations, and advocate for those who may be vulnerable or experiencing barriers to care. You’ll collaborate closely with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure social work perspectives are integrated into patient care, and you’ll contribute to improving equity, especially for Māori, through culturally safe and strengths‑based practice.

This is a meaningful opportunity to support people at pivotal moments in their health journey while growing your professional capability within a supportive, values‑driven Allied Health team.

About the Team/Service/ Location

You’ll work within Te Whata Moanarua – Allied Health Therapies, based across the Hawke’s Bay Hospital inpatient wards. Our service is collaborative, multidisciplinary, and committed to supporting tangata whaiora through integrated care pathways. We work closely with allied health colleagues, ward teams, Hauora Māori services, community organisations and external providers to ensure holistic, culturally responsive, and equitable care.

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About you

As a Registered Social Worker, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Social Work (or higher) recognised by SWRB and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Clinical experience relevant to hospital or health-based social work.
• Strong communication and rapport-building skills, with the ability to manage complexity and navigate sensitive situations.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of an interprofessional team.
• Commitment to culturally safe practice, including effective engagement with Māori and understanding of tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A positive, solutions-focused attitude and motivation for ongoing professional growth.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a clean, full NZ driver’s licence.

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 review the position profile, click HERE To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Jenny Lowe via email on jenny.lowe@hbdhb.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.