Allied Health Coordinator - Emergency Department

Allied Health Coordinator - Emergency Department

Location: Wellington Regional Hospital

Contract: Permanent, Full time FTE Rostered and Rotating

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

Our Allied Health teams work across the continuum of care, supporting people in community settings, outpatient clinics, and inpatient services to live well and achieve the best possible health outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Allied Health Co-ordinator - Emergency Department (ED) to play a pivotal role in supporting patient flow and ensuring timely access to Allied Health services across Wellington Regional Hospital and the wider health system.

Working alongside multidisciplinary teams within the Emergency Department, you will identify patients who would benefit from early Allied Health involvement and coordinate the right intervention from the right service at the right time. Your work will help prevent avoidable hospital admissions, facilitate timely discharge, and ensure patients receive the most appropriate support across the continuum of care.

This position operates within a seven-day service model, rostered and rotating, and embraces an interprofessional practice approach to enhance patient outcomes and service efficiency.

About the Team/Service Location

Supports early identification and streaming of patients in both assessment and discharge and admitted patient cohorts.

These roles have been involved in a successful pilot over the past 9 months and aiding in decision making for admission or facilitating a safe discharge. These roles have now been made part of the permanent establishment.

Co-ordinate a response across a wider MDT team based in the ED (Physio, OT, SW) and across inpatient AH, AWHI, DNs, Community teams, OP services and other community providers.

In this role, you will:

• Work collaboratively with ED medical, nursing, and Allied Health teams to identify patients who would benefit from Allied Health input as early as possible.
• Coordinate referrals to Allied Health services, ensuring timely assessment and intervention.
• Facilitate access to services across inpatient, outpatient, community, and primary care settings.
• Support a discharge-first approach through early identification of discharge criteria and barriers to returning home.
• Provide interprofessional screening and undertake agreed shared clinical tasks within established competency frameworks.
• Support safe and appropriate discharge planning for patients presenting to ED.
• Assist in reducing avoidable hospital admissions through timely assessment, coordination, and intervention.
• Work closely with Allied Health clinicians to ensure efficient prioritisation of referrals and resources.
• Identify gaps in service delivery and unmet Allied Health needs to inform future workforce and service development.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient flow, equity, and healthcare outcomes.

About you

You will be a registered Allied Health professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working across professional boundaries to improve patient care.

You will bring:

Essential

• Registration with a recognised Allied Health professional body and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Significant clinical experience in an Allied Health setting (5 plus years).
• Strong understanding of patient flow, discharge planning, and care coordination.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while maintaining strong collaborative relationships.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving, prioritisation, and organisational skills.
• Commitment to patient-centred care and health equity.

Desirable

• Experience working within Emergency Department, acute hospital, or community health settings.
• Knowledge of community support services and care pathways.
• Experience using an interprofessional practice model.
• Experience leading service improvement initiatives.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and hospital flow.
• A supportive and collaborative Allied Health team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• The chance to work at the forefront of innovative models of care within Emergency Department services.
• A role that supports equity, excellence, and person-centred care across the health system.

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.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Philip.Adamson@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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