Occupational Therapist - Acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health

Are you a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist (Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau) looking for a rewarding career in acute adult inpatient mental health? MidCentral Hospital is seeking two full-time Occupational Therapists to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team.

New Graduates and Occupational Therapists new to mental health are welcome to apply!
Clinical coaching support provided with opportunities to grow your career.
Stunning new Mental Health Unit opening mid-2025, offering a fantastic therapeutic environment with a new model of care.
Join a team that includes two very experienced full-time Occupational Therapy Assistants, with plans to expand the team further.

Opportunities for Postgraduate Study through the New Entry to Specialist Practice Programme (NESP, Te Pou funded – NZ residents).

About the Role

As an Occupational Therapist (Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau) in our Acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health Ward, you will play a key role in providing specialised therapeutic interventions to support the recovery and well-being of individuals experiencing acute mental health challenges. This is an opportunity to work within a supportive team environment where your skills and expertise will make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Implement evidence-based interventions to support patients' functional recovery.
• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers.
• Facilitate group and individual therapy sessions focused on enhancing daily living skills, independence, and community reintegration.
• Provide education and support to patients, whānau (families), and caregivers.
• Contribute to discharge planning and transitional care strategies.

What We Offer:

• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Comprehensive clinical coaching and mentoring for new graduates and those new to mental health.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Work-life balance in a beautiful region of Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Be part of a stunning transition into our brand-new Mental Health Unit opening mid-2025, designed to enhance patient care with a new therapeutic model.
• Support from two highly experienced full-time Occupational Therapy Assistants, with plans to expand the team further.

About You:

• Registered Occupational Therapist (Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau) with a current practicing certificate (or eligibility for registration in New Zealand).
• Experience in mental health is beneficial, but not essential – we welcome new graduates and those new to mental health!
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A passion for mental health recovery and patient-centred care.

How to Apply:

If you are ready for a meaningful career opportunity in acute inpatient mental health, we would love to hear from you!

To view the position description and/or apply for the role (by submitting your cover letter and CV), please click “APPLY NOW.” For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online career portal.

For more information, Please contact Maree Loynes, Recruitment Specialist (Allied Health) - Email Maree Loynes

Join us in shaping the future of mental health care at MidCentral Hospital!

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences.