Occupational Therapist - Older Persons Assessment and Liaison - Community Services (OPAL CS)
MidCentral District Health Board is looking for experienced Occupational Therapist/s to join our team within the Older People's Assessment and Liaison Community Service (OPAL CS). These are permanent position/s for up to 1 FTE, meaning these hours could be shared between 2 people part-time or go to one person full-time.
What is the service?
The OPAL community service complements the existing range of Te Uru Whakamauora (Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation) services provided to older people with a focus on reducing avoidable displacements from home. OPAL CS delivers home-based care for older people with complex age-related physical, social, long-term conditions, or mental health needs. This service aims to shift more health care from hospital settings closer to people's homes and incorporate Kaupapa Maori approaches in its service to achieve equitable outcomes for Maori kaumatua. The OPAL CS teams will be co-located in the community of the three key localities of the MidCentral Region: Palmerston North City/Feilding, Horowhenua, and Tararua.
What is the role about?
In this role, you will be working in the community alongside a supportive transdisciplinary team consisting of geriatricians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, NASC, Maori connectors, and allied health assistants. The team will partner with general practices and community providers to identify older people with frailty in the community to provide comprehensive geriatric assessments and deliver therapy services to help them remain independent at home. The team will also be supporting people transitioning home from hospital settings, and your work will be based in various clinical locations, visiting clients in the community and in associated facilities.
This role provides an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where you can build on a variety of skills not just within your discipline, but skills that cross disciplinary boundaries. You will be a valued core member of the OPAL CS team and will have an opportunity to take lead and shape this growing service.
What are we looking for in applicants?
Enthusiastic, energetic, resilient, with a 'can do' attitude.
Experience and ability to work effectively within a trans-disciplinary team, utilising individual and professional skills.
New Zealand registered Occupational Therapist with a current practicing certificate and a minimum experience of 2 years.
Ability to adapt and flex to trial new ways of working.
Strong desire to help clients and whanau achieve their goals.
An understanding or willingness to learn about te reo Maori and tikanga Maori.
Effective written, oral, and interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.
Strong organisational and time management skills.
Basic computer, IT, and clinical documentation skills.
Hold Enable NZ Accredited Assessor status, be Service Accredited, or eligible to become accredited.
A full, current driver's licence – essential.
Hold relevant residency status to work in New Zealand – essential.
If you are a NZ Registered Occupational Therapist holding a current annual practicing certificate and would like to work in a transdisciplinary community team and setting while experiencing all that Palmerston North has to offer, we would welcome your application.
How to apply:
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, don't hesitate to get in touch with Maree Loynes, Recruitment Specialist (Allied Health) at ******.
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 Maori 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.
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