• Dunedin Hospital
• Do you have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum?
• Are you passionate about the power of play for children to make sense of the world around them?
• Permanent opportunity - 16 hours per fortnight (0.2 FTE) 

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

Are you looking for a new challenge in a unique environment?

Southern District Health Board has an exciting opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of children and young people. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced early childhood teacher to join us as a Hospital Play Specialist at Dunedin Hospital on a part-time, permanent basis.

As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will support infants, children and young people to become confident and competent learners within the context of their hospital experience. Using a strong educational and psychosocial framework that supports whānau involvement, you will facilitate children's development and help them cope with challenges related to their hospital visit.

You will help normalise the hospital experience through play: familiarising children with medical equipment or procedures, supporting them during procedures (including blood tests), and developing and practising coping strategies. This role is both challenging and rewarding, involving collaboration with children, their whānau and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Reporting to the Charge Nurse Manager, you will assess, plan and develop an infant, child or youth-centred care and education plan, then follow through with implementation and evaluation. You will use contemporary research and evidence-based practice to ensure safe, high-quality interventions.

View position description

About the service

Our Hospital Play Specialist Service at Southern is committed to supporting a child's learning and development while helping them cope with illness, hospitalisation and treatments. We work with children from birth to 16 years, using play to normalise their experience and reduce psychological stress while in hospital.

About you

It is important that you can work with children of all ages and build strong relationships with parents, families and whānau. You are unfazed by the hospital setting and thrive in a multidisciplinary team. You believe in the power of play and its positive impact on children's wellbeing.

You will also need the following:

• Registration as an early childhood teacher with a current practising certificate
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build rapport quickly
• Experience working with young people and families from diverse ethnic backgrounds

If you are passionate about advocating for the importance of play during challenging times in children's lives, apply today.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to providing excellent healthcare to the people of Aotearoa. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we can better understand and serve our communities. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities.

How to apply

To apply, click 'apply now'. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by Friday, 20 June 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact James Boyd at james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

We will review applications as they are received and may proceed with recruitment before the closing date.

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website: https://careers.southernhealth.nz/