Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho (Dental Therapy Assistant)

Location: Cannons Creek, Titahi Bay, Lower Hutt, and Naenae/Avalon

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we’re building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence. 

About the Role 

The purpose of the role is to assist a Kaiwhakaora Niho (Dental or Oral Health Therapist) to provide oral health clinical services and education to tamariki in te reo Māori, applying tikanga and kaupapa Māori. This is to ensure that tamariki Māori and whānau have the option of receiving oral health services in te reo Māori if that is their preference.

Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho and Kaiwhakaora Niho travel throughout Pōneke, Te Awakairangi, Porirua, and Kāpiti rohe (Wellington city, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Kāpiti regions). They visit Kura Kaupapa Māori, Kōhanga Reo, and Mātauranga Māori ECCs to provide oral health examinations and education. They also spend time in the clinical hubs around the region to provide follow up treatments, prioritising tamariki and whānau who prefer to receive oral health services in te reo Māori.

Kaiawhina Whakaora Niho must be good with children. They support the Kaiwhakaora Niho chairside, sterilise clinical equipment, and undertake a range of administrative duties.

Although the main aim of the role is to provide services in te reo Māori, English may also be used if that is the preference of the tamariki or whānau. This is a full-time role working Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, and the full salary range is $72,000 - $86,000 depending on experience.

About the Team

E whakapau kaha ana mātou kia tautoko i ngā hiahia o ngā tamariki, ngā whānau, me ngā hapori o tō tātou rohe. E ngākaunui ana mātou ki te whakarongo ki ā rātou hiahia. Ko ētahi o aua hiahia, ko te manaaki niho, te whakapaipai niho, te whakaako i te mātauranga-a-niho mā roto i te reo Māori. 

Kei te rapu mātou i tētahi tangata hihiko, tangata hikaka, e āhei ana ki te whakakakī i tēnei tūranga, kia rite ai ki ngā hiahia o ngā tamariki, o ngā whānau, me ngā kaimahi hoki.

The Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service provides dental services for tamariki in the greater Wellington region from school and community based Dental Hub Clinics. This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse and passionate team, in a rewarding role that services tamariki in our communities.

More information about our service is available by visiting us at: www.beehealthy.org.nz

About you 

• You are able to converse in te reo Māori
• You have a good understanding of tikanga and kaupapa Māori so that you are able to provide culturally safe practice to tamariki Māori and their whānau.
• You have a current New Zealand Drivers licence.
• You have experience working with children, either in a whānau or work setting.
• You are good with admin and computers, and you have the ability to learn new computer applications.
• If you have a personal understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, or experience working with people with disabilities, this is an advantage.

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness’. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 11th June. If you have any questions about the role, please contact lucy.britland@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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