Social Worker Acute (1.0 FTE)

Social Worker Adult Acute Wards, Nelson Hospital, Permanent Full-time

• You have the opportunity to work directly with patients/whanau and the medical team to apply your knowledge skills and life experience.
• You will be able to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and with external agencies.

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.

About the Role

As a Social Worker in the Adult acute wards, you will complete psychosocial assessments and provide holistic social work interventions.  You will also provide emotional, practical, and informational support to patients and their families during a stressful time.

This role also includes assessing and addressing the psychological and social needs of patients and families, facilitating communication, and assisting with navigating the healthcare system and accessing necessary resources.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 80 hours per fortnight (1 FTE), Monday to Sunday.

About the Team/Service/ Location

We are a team of 9 social workers based at the Nelson hospital and have colleagues in Wairau hospital and community. We have a supportive team which skills are complimentary and supportive to each other and the service.

We value our cohesive team culture of collaborative practice, openness, humour and respect across disciplines and engender confidence, trust and rapport with clients and their support networks. 

For more information on living and working in Nelson click here

About you

As a Social Worker in the adult wards and Emergency Department, you will:

• have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and positive energy,
• be innovative, proactive, enthusiastic, flexible, and creative,
• have a positive approach to all situations including problem solving,
• be fully registered with the NZ Social Workers Registration Board and hold a current APC,
• have experience working in a health setting, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team,
• bring an understanding of the social determinants of health, as well as the impact on health and social needs, and be able to work in a collaborative way, delivering client-centred practice from a strength’s perspective.

Your ability to think on your feet and be experienced at working under pressure with a solution focused approach will be advantageous.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in New Zealand or hold a valid NZ visa at the time of applying.

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 29 March 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

Sonja Rae (Recruitment) at sonja.rae@tewhatuora.govt.nz OR

Annelize de Wet (District Social Work Team Leader) at Annelize.deWet@nmdhb.govt.nz.

Job ref: R1N26-040

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

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.