Social Worker (Emergency Department)

Social Worker Emergency Department, Nelson Hospital, Permanent Part-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 Emergency Department, you will complete psychosocial assessments across the age range 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, part time role working 16 hours per fortnight (0.2 FTE), Monday to Sunday in the Emergency Department where on-call is not required.  Weekend cover is required.

About the Team/Service/ Location

We are a team of 10 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 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,
• 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 14 December 2025. 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: R1N25-251

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.