Allied Health Assistant / Kaiāwhina


  • Te Rau Kawakawa /Buller Health, Westport
  • 0.7FTE (28 hours per week)
  • Permanent part- time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

The Allied Health Assistant/Kaiāwhina is responsible for providing support to the Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini Allied Health Service in delivering effective, efficient and quality patient focused therapeutic care within the inpatient, outpatient and community settings.

Experience for this role is not essential, however you should be committed to completing your Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Health Assistant) (Level 3) within 24 months of starting.

  • Specifically, the role is responsible for
  • Provision of delegated supervision of individual or group exercise programmes / activities for patients of all ages.
  • Provision of a level of service that supports patients to attain a maximum level of independence in their own environment.
  • Effective liaison with delegating Registered Health Professionals (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Dietetics, Speech Language Therapy) and all other relevant Health Professionals, outside Agencies and others involved in the care of the patients.
  • Provision of appropriate education Whanau / Families, Carers and Guardians of these patients as required, including the safe and correct use of equipment.
  • Commitment to flexible & friendly customer service and patient advocacy.

About the West Coast

Our West Coast Allied Health Team includes Allied Health Assistants/Kaiāwhina, Dietetics, Music Therapy, National Travel Assistance Coordination, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Speech Language Therapy. We are based out of Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika and deliver assessment and intervention within inpatient, outpatient and community settings covering the West Coast from Karamea to Haast.

 

About you

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential: 

  • New Zealand Working Rights
  • NCEA level 1-2 or equivalent (required passes in English and Math)
  • Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Health Assistant) (Level 3) (or to be completed within 24 months of commencement)
  • Intermediate user in Microsoft Suite (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams)
  • A current full NZ drivers’ licence
  • Excellent communication – listening, verbal and written
  • Proven ability maintain confidentiality and use discretion
  • Proven ability to work autonomously as well as within a team
  • Be able to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
  • Commitment to ongoing self-development and Allied Health service development

Desirable:

  • Experience working within the New Zealand Health system
  • Experience working in rural community
  • Experience working in an Interdisciplinary team
  • Experience in customer care / service
  • Knowledge of all relevant legislation and standards

Join our team today and help us make a positive impact on the lives of our patients and clients.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellnesses'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now” on our careers page. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Sunday 17th August. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alex Jay at Alexandra.jay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert therefore we encourage you to apply early. 

To be eligible for this role you must hold the legal right to work and live in New Zealand you do not hold the legal right to live and work in New Zealand your application will be declined

Apply now

Permanent/Part Time

Job no: PC3783347

Location: Buller and Northern Areas

Closing Date: Sunday, 17th August 2025