Senior Occupational Therapist

Ngā mōhiohio e pā ana ki tēnei mahi (About this position)

An exciting opportunity is available for a dynamic, enthusiastic, Occupational Therapist to work with children at the Little Stars Centre in Palmerston North.  Experience in paediatrics is preferable.

Little Stars provides intensive therapy for children with disabilities, aged 6 months to 18 years, and is a warm, friendly, centre-based service providing integrated support for children and their families. 

The Occupational Therapist will be working as part of a dedicated Transdisciplinary team which includes other Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Music Therapist/Conductor (Conductive Education qualification), Speech Language Therapist, Therapy Assistants and families.

Te āhuatunga a te tūrunga (About the role)

The role will include assessment, programme planning, delivery and evaluation for children aged 6 months to 18 years. It is a client-centred service where whanau are an integral part of the transdisciplinary team approach. 

Programmes will be delivered based at Little Stars SMART Centre, but the Occupational Therapist will have a key role in ensuring that the skills taught are transferrable into pre-school, school and home settings. This may require the Occupational Therapist to do some outreach and community related work. 

The Centre also provides specific training courses for families and other professionals, and the Occupational Therapist will be expected to contribute to the development of this service.

Our service is guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which help inform our practices and interactions with people and whanau we support.

Ko wai koe (About you)

Little Stars SMART Centre is a charitable trust, providing specialist programmes tailored to meet the needs of children and their family in an intensive way. Our client base includes children with motor disorders (Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Syndromes, Dyspraxia and sensory motor challenges), as well as sensory processing challenges, Autism, ADHD and Global Developmental Delay. 

Our services include both individual and group sessions - parent and baby, toddler groups, preschool programmes and ongoing support for children of school age.

Little Stars is part of the charity The Planet Ryan Family Foundation which provides support to young people aged 18 and above. The Occupational Therapist may be required to provide some advisory/assessment/programme planning and evaluation into this adult service.

OFFER

A full-time post, starting end of 2026/beginning of 2027. The successful applicant will be supported by our Clinical Lead who is a very experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist and by another Occupational Therapist who is a full-time member of staff.

Attendance at extramural training courses to extend knowledge and skills is valued by the organisation and will be supported as much as possible. 

Standard holiday leave of 4 weeks per annum plus all statutory days. The organisation is very keen to reward dedication and is looking at having some additional days leave in recognition of the intensity of the work and length of service.

Ngā huanga o tēnei mahi (The benefits of this position)

- Great team to work with

- Wonderful children and families

- Opportunity to work intensively with children and their families and see real progress being made

- Opportunity to develop new ideas and support the growth of the organisation

- Scope for career advancement and developing management skills

- Opportunity to make a real difference in the community

Te Tono (How to apply)

Please send expressions of interest via email with your CV and cover letter to littlestars2023@outlook.co.nz, where an opportunity to discuss the role with Heather (Clinical Lead/Centre Manager) can be arranged. 

Ētahi atu mōhiohio (More information)

Further information about Little Stars can be found on our website Little Stars