Paediatric Occupational Therapist (Contractor)

Join our Auckland team and earn an attractive hourly rate + travel reimbursement.

Who We Are | Ko wai mātou

Better Days started with a simple vision: to provide better community-centred support services for people living with disability, and to be a better place to work for all team members by putting our clinicians at the front and centre of what we do.

We are excited to be looking for a person who lives our values and wants to make an impact by supporting clients and whānau to achieve better outcomes in their homes, communities and everyday lives. 
 
You will join a national company founded and run by clinicians, for clinicians, delivering client-first care guided by our values. 

Why does this role feel different

Are you a Paediatric Occupational Therapist looking for a role where your expertise is genuinely valued?

Better Days is growing in Auckland, and we are looking for a passionate Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our supportive, clinician-led team.  You will work alongside tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to build participation, independence and confidence in the activities that matter to them. Your work will be strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed and focused on practical outcomes that translate into everyday life.

• A caseload with genuine clinical range—from early developmental support and neurodiversity-affirming practice to complex neurological rehabilitation, equipment and housing assessments.

• Real interdisciplinary practice, including regular MDT discussion, joint assessments and shared therapy sessions.

• Flexibility to organise your appointments and working day, supported by realistic KPIs.

• Easy access to senior clinical advice, formal supervision and mentoring when you need another perspective.

• The opportunity to deepen your paediatric skills through complex clinical work, ACC pathways, equipment prescription and relevant professional development.

• A warm approachable Auckland team clinically involved leaders and values that show up in everyday decisions.

Our values | Whanonga pono

• We Get Sh*t Done!
• We are People People
• Love What You Do
• Frankly, we Give a Damn
• We Value Ourselves

Industry-leading support and benefits | Huanga

• A great team culture, genuinely supportive, clinician-led team with approachable leaders
• Flexible working options, including the ability to start or finish your day from home where appropriate
• Realistic KPIs, with Better Rewards when you exceed expectations during a cycle
• Travel reimbursement
• Professional development budget to support broadening your specialist skills
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced clinicians
• Regular supervision, mentoring and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Meaningful work supporting children, young people and their whānau
• Team dinners, social connection and very good coffee

About your new role | He kōrero whakamārama mō tēnei tūranga

Complex, meaningful paediatric work—with the freedom to shape your day and a team beside you when it matters.

You might start your morning supporting a child’s participation at school, complete a joint home visit with a physiotherapist or speech-language therapist, and spend the afternoon developing practical sensory, self-care or equipment solutions with a whānau.

The work is varied, often complex and always grounded in real life. You will support tamariki and rangatahi with neurological injury, developmental and disability-related needs, neurodiversity, sensory differences and trauma-related presentations.

Your work may include early intervention, rehabilitation, equipment and seating, housing solutions, functional skill development, and support across home, school, clinic and community settings.

• Complete paediatric occupational therapy assessments across home, school, early learning, clinic and community environments.

• Develop individualised, evidence-informed plans that support participation in self-care, play, learning, relationships and community life.

• Assess and support sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, regulation, routines, environmental access and functional independence.

• Recommend and prescribe equipment, assistive technology, seating and environmental or housing modifications where appropriate.

• Coach and collaborate with parents, caregivers, kaiako, schools and other key supports so strategies are useful, achievable and sustainable.

• Work closely with Better Days colleagues across occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language therapy, psychology, social work, rehabilitation coaching and other disciplines.

• Review progress, adapt intervention and communicate clearly through high-quality notes, reports and funder documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy (or an equivalent recognised qualification)
• Current registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ) and a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
• At least 1 year of post-qualification experience in paediatric, community, rehabilitation, disability, or a related occupational therapy setting
• Experience with ACC or New Zealand funding pathways is useful. (highly desirable)
• Confidence working autonomously in homes and community settings, alongside a willingness to ask, share and collaborate
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice
• A full New Zealand driver licence, access to a vehicle and availability to travel across Auckland
• Evidence of your right to work in New Zealand

Commitment to Diversity:

At Better Days we embrace diversity, inclusivity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities including neurodiverse individuals.

If you think you’d be great in this role but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more at: www.betterdays.nz