Social Worker - HDU & Medical

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 are excited to offer this opportunity for a registered social worker / kaimahi toko i te ora to join our specialist team of social workers and psychologists in supporting people and their whānau during their stay in hospital. We have been provided extra FTE for critical care due to the expansion of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and HDU (High Dependency Unit). The role will work alongside the other adult social workers and provide cover on inpatient wards, particularly for patients who transfer from ICU / HDU and MAPU to other wards.

The role covers into other areas of the hospital as needed and will provide social work on Saturdays across inpatient services on a roster basis about 3 - 4 times per year receiving penal pay rates.

About the Team / Service Location

We are a team of 21 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 adult 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 13 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 : AH188-25

Location : North Island - Wellington - Wellington Central

Job type : Permanent Full time

Expertise : Clinical - Allied Health - Social Worker

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