Allied Health Assistant

Allied Health Assistant

Allied Health Assistant

Palmerston North Hospital

Permanent – Part-time Friday – Sunday | 8 hours per day

Help people get back to doing the things they love – in the place they call home.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

Are you passionate about helping people regain independence and live well at home? Do you enjoy building meaningful relationships and seeing the difference that practical, person-centred support can make?

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Allied Health Assistant to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to support whaiora and whānau on their journey towards greater independence.

About the Role

Working as part of the team, you will provide practical, hands-on support to whaiora in their own homes and community settings.

You will use a restorative approach to help people build confidence and independence with everyday activities such as:

• Walking and mobility
• Dressing and personal care
• Showering and toileting
• Meal preparation
• Activities of daily living
• Rehabilitation programmes
• Equipment use and provision

Working under the direction and delegation of registered health professionals, you will help deliver individualised rehabilitation programmes and reinforce the advice, education and strategies provided by our Allied Health clinicians.

You will manage your delegated caseload with increasing autonomy, while recognising when to seek support and knowing when to stop and escalate concerns to the appropriate registered health professional.

You will work directly with whaiora and whānau, build trusting relationships, observe progress, identify changing needs and contribute to positive health outcomes.

What makes this role special

It's about more than completing tasks – it's about helping people regain their independence.

You could be helping someone take their first confident steps after illness, supporting them to safely shower on their own again, or helping them rebuild the skills needed to manage everyday life.

Every person has different goals, and you'll be there to support them on their journey

About you

You're a caring, practical and reliable person who enjoys helping others achieve greater independence. You'll be confident working in people's homes, communicate well with whaiora and whānau, and work comfortably both independently and as part of a wider team. You'll be able to follow clinical direction, use sound judgement and recognise when to seek support. A commitment to culturally safe practice, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering quality care is essential.

You'll need

• A willingness to work towards a Level 3 Health and Disability Careerforce qualification within two years of starting
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Basic Microsoft Office skills
• A current, clean NZ driver's licence
• The ability to work confidently and safely in patients' homes

Ideally, you'll also bring

• Experience in the health or disability sector
• Experience working in people's homes
• Previous experience in a multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of rehabilitation or mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, walking frames and showering/toileting equipment
• Experience with basic ENABLE equipment

About the Location

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life.

It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help with a true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz) . Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.

We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options!

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.