Occupational Therapist - Mental Health

• Dunedin Hospital
• Permanent, full-time role (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week)
• Salary band: $77,087 - $110,210 per annum pro-rata plus KiwiSaver
• Competitive salary and subsidised gym
• A rewarding and unique opportunity to work in both the community and inpatient environment

About the role

You will be a registered Occupational Therapist working with the North Community Mental Health team based at Dunedin Hospital. You will ideally have experience, although we are open to new graduates applying. In this role you will work in an outreach capacity and a clinic model, providing time-limited support to clients in the community. You will act as a key worker for a defined caseload, achieving quality mental health outcomes.

This is a permanent, full-time role, requiring a New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapist, and a current Annual Practising Certificate.

You will also:

• have sound skills in occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, implementation, and evaluation
• be an excellent communicator who will thrive on having the opportunity to build and develop relationships with a wide range of disciplines
• have excellent organising and time management skills
• need to have a client-centred approach and a strong focus on recovery
• have a full, clean New Zealand driver's licence.

In this role you will work alongside experienced clinical staff and be an integral member of the team.

Ideally, you'll bring experience working within a community adult mental health environment, exceptional communication skills, your non-judgemental attitude, and your positive manner.

Responsibilities of the role include:

• working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to assist consumers with serious complex mental health issues
• creating user-centred goal planning using evidence-based best practice for consumers
• providing guidance and support to families, whanau, and agencies to ensure successful care and outcomes for consumers.

All employees of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Southern, working with Mental Health and Addiction Services are expected to demonstrate a commitment to "The Seven Real Skills" (Te Pou Workforce Development).

View position description.

Salary range

This role belongs to the PSA/DHBs Allied, Public Health and Technical Multi-Employer Collective Agreement and falls between Step 1 ($77,087 p.a) and Step 8 ($110,210 per annum pro-rata) of the Degree-Based Allied, Public Health and Technical scale.

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, 15 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact James Boyd james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.