START Team Lead
- Taranaki Base Hospital New Plymouth
- Full-time Positon – 40 hours per week
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
Are you a dynamic leader with vision, drive, and a passion for delivering exceptional patient care?
We are seeking an experienced Registered Health Professional (Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional) to lead the implementation and delivery of START (Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team).
START is an early supported discharge service that enables predominantly older adults to return home following an acute illness, injury, or hospital admission, where they can continue their recovery, rehabilitation, and regain independence in their own environment. Care is delivered by skilled Rehabilitation Assistants working under professional delegation and supervision. By supporting timely and safe discharge from hospital, START plays a key role in improving patient flow and ensuring hospital capacity is available for those with the greatest need.
As the START Team Lead, you will play a pivotal role in establishing and shaping this new service, providing clinical and operational leadership to a skilled multidisciplinary team. Working in partnership with hospital and community services, you will support seamless transitions from hospital to home while ensuring high-quality, person-centred rehabilitation and enablement support is delivered safely and effectively.
You will be responsible for building a high-performing team culture, driving innovation and continuous improvement, and embedding best-practice care. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new service that improves patient outcomes, promotes independence, and supports the wider health system through more efficient use of hospital resources.
Please click here to view the position description
About the Team/Service/ Location
START aims 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
For more information on living and working in Taranaki click here
About you
You are a confident and compassionate leader who thrives in dynamic environments and is committed to person-centred care. You bring clinical expertise, operational insight, and a passion for innovation.
Key Attributes:
Proven experience as a team leader e.g. Nurse Coordinator/CNM, Allied Health Leader, or Manager
Must have a strong background in at least two of these areas: early supported discharge, rehabilitation, older people’s health, and working with people in their own home.
Exceptional communication skills to support patients, whānau, and staff
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across teams and services
Commitment to fostering team growth and collaboration
Passion for developing others and creating a cohesive, high-performing team
Focus on operational safety and evidence-based care
Experience in change management and service development (preferred)
Solid understanding of business ethics and leadership principles
Knowledge of Tikanga Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Kaupapa Māori principles
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 Friday 16 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Andrea at andrea.rowe@tdhb.govt.nz
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.
