Social Worker - Women's Health

Location : Wellington Hospital - Women's Health

Contract : Permanent, Part Time (35 hours per week)

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

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Health Social Worker to work in Women's Health and Maternity inpatient services at Wellington Hospital. The Social Worker responds to a range of referrals for woman who are pregnant, just given birth or admitted to hospital for gynaecological treatment.

Areas include the inpatient maternity ward, delivery suite, gynaecological inpatients and the Women's Health Assessment Unit. The successful applicant will complete psycho social assessments and work in partnership with woman and their whānau to focus on the wellbeing and safety of their pēpi. Issues that need to be responded to include trauma, child protection, family violence, grief and loss and complex social issues and medical needs. This role works alongside two other social workers who are based in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Close working relationships are required with health professionals in the service and external agencies to facilitate supportive discharges from hospital. On occasions this role supports women and whānau who have experienced a still birth.

The role will cover into other areas of the hospital as required in particular in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Paediatric inpatient wards. And provide social work throughout Wellington Hospital for 6 hours on Saturdays on a roster, approximately 3-4 times a year paid at penal rates.

About the Team / Service Location

We are a team of 22 social workers based at Wellington Hospital who provide a service to patients and their whānau across inpatient, outpatient and community settings. We complete psycho social assessments across the age range and provide holistic social work interventions. This role is well supported by the other Paediatric and Neonatal social workers in the team. Come and join our friendly experienced team in a supportive workplace environment.

About you

As the successful candidate you will have a passion for working in this area and be highly motivated to support patients and whānau navigate their health journey. You will be able to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and with external agencies. Working with a diverse group of patients with significant health needs the post holder will require excellent documentation, communication and time management skills. This is a great opportunity for someone who is keen to work in this clinical area.

We welcome applications from social workers who have a dedication and passion for this work. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds who share our values to apply, and would greatly appreciate seeing applicants from our Māori and Pacific communities.

The successful applicant will have the following skills and attributes :

• NZ Registered Social Worker with current annual practicing certificate
• Minimum of 3 years social work practice
• The ability to complete psychosocial needs assessment
• Navigating and working within the legal requirements of health care and social work
• A clear understanding of the health needs of Māori and Pacific Island communities
• Therapeutic social work counselling experience (desirable)
• Previous work in a health setting and a good understanding of health social work (desirable)

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa / New Zealand.

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 embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to Apply

To apply please click 'apply now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 26 October. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

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

Job details

Job Reference :

Job Reference : AH189-25

Location : Job type :

Permanent Full time

Expertise :

Clinical - Allied Health - Social Worker

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