START Rehabilitation Assistant

• Role: START Rehabilitation Assistant
• Employment Type: Fix term - 1 FTE (Until June 2027), Rostered service (Monday to Sunday)
• Taranaki Base Hospital

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

We are seeking experienced Allied Health Assistants or Health Care Assistants to join our new service: START (Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team). START is an early supported discharge model of care designed to help primarily older people return home safely following an acute episode or injury. Rehabilitation and enablement continue in the home environment, delivered by trained health care assistants and support workers under the delegation of registered health professionals.

As a member of the START team, you will play a vital role in supporting recovery and independence at home. Your work will help reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life for our clients.

Please click here to view the full position description.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The START team will aim to reduce the risk of readmission to hospital through:

· Improving functional resiliency / independence

· Ensuring seamless re-integration back to primary care

· Managing issues related to medication, nutrition

· Managing carer stress

· Identifying deterioration in conditions

· Supervising, managing care packages

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new, innovative service that puts recovery and independence at the heart of care.

For more information on living and working in Taranaki click here

About you

Preferred candidates will bring inspiration, empowerment, and innovation to this role. 

You will have:

· Proven experience as an Allied Health Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant or Health Care Assistant.

· Excellent communication skills to effectively support patients, whānau, and staff.

· Strong relationship-building abilities.

· Passion for working within a high-performing team.

· A focus on partnering with patients and whānau to achieve their health goals.

· Knowledge of Tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Kaupapa Māori principles, with a commitment to implementing Te Toi Ahorangi strategy.

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 23 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Elmien Feldtmann at elmien.feldtmann@tdhb.org.nz 

A job description will be available in due course.

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.