AOD counsellors/practitioners have been an integral part of the AOD multidisciplinary team for a number of years.

The current counselling team comprises a mix of generic and addiction-focused training, with some counsellors qualified in other disciplines.

Currently, MidCentral has an established relationship with WELTEC (Wellington Institute of Technology), where undergraduate papers are offered in alcohol & drug studies and counselling.

Student placements are available for students completing these degree programmes. Counselling staff are completing, or have completed diploma through to masterate level qualifications, and have affiliation to professional bodies including NZAC and DAPAANZ.

Anaesthetic technician information and training requirements at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral.

Anaesthetic technicians at MidCentral have enjoyed a long standing Educational Provider/Training Hospital relationship with the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), accomplishing their long distance theoretical training by completing a diploma in applied science (Anaesthetic Technology).

All anaesthetic technicians completing their training are required by their professional body to be employed by an approved training hospital. Anaesthetic technicians at MidCentral have full time employment during and on completion of their training.

The Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral area provides numerous opportunities for dietitians.

Due to the unique nature of the hospital, dietitians have the opportunity to specialise in renal, surgery, oncology, paediatrics, mental health, eating disorders, diabetes, intensive care and artificial feeding. An undergraduate degree in either science or consumer and applied science is needed with a major in human nutrition.

To become qualified as a dietitian, a postgraduate diploma in dietetics, which is run through the University of Otago, is required. This is a sixteen month course where you are based in either Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin Hospitals. The final stage of your training requires a short research project to be undertaken, there are opportunities available to do this at Palmerston North Hospital.

Palmerston North Hospital Pharmacy service employs NZ Registered Pharmacists and qualified Pharmacy Technicians.

Occasionally Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral is able to offer a trainee technician post. This may be for a person wishing to update a qualification to an NZQA Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician). Technician training or update will require prior consultation with the Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO) for an assessment of prior learning and assignment to the appropriate training programme. www.pito.org.nz or email: info@pito.org.nz or phone: 04 802 0030.

Also occasionally, MidCentral may be able to provide NZ pre-registration training to an overseas pharmacist graduate. Such an applicant would need to make prior contact with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand email: enquiries@pharmacycouncil.org.nz or phone (04) 495 0330

MidCentral's Pharmacy Team is comprised of great people and provides a happy and supportive working environment. It offers the full range of traditional Hospital Pharmacy Services, including aseptic and cytotoxic dose preparation. It provides a responsive clinical support role in wards and departments, including participation in some rounds and multidisciplinary teams. There is task variety day to day on roster and a 24/7 on-call and weekend pharmacists’ roster (1 in 6 approx). The Pharmacy Team conducts a weekly staff tutorial, and provide in-service education in various programmes for other health professionals. Staff members take a facilitative role in local branch PSNZ (Inc) and NZHPA activities.

Physiotherapy positions at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral offer a variety of experience and locations. Rotations on the ward include orthopaedics, medical and surgical.

​There is an acute stroke unit, an intensive care unit (ICU), units specialising in rehabilitation (for those under 65 years) and an Elder Health (for those over 65), a paediatric ward and an outpatient department. Senior staff have a depth of experience and are keen to assist when requested.

MidCentral offers supervision, reimbursement for annual practicing certificate and NZSP subscriptions, conference and course fees, and extensive in-house training both within the department and the bigger hospital. As a teaching centre MidCentral has students from Otago University.

Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral has a strong and supportive team of Clinical Psychologists working in both the physical rehabilitation areas as well as Mental Health Services.

MidCentral has enjoyed a longstanding working relationship with the Massey University School of Psychology. Psychologists require an undergraduate university degree in Psychology followed by Masters or Doctoral level postgraduate training that entails practice based learning.

MidCentral provides pre-internship practicums for postgraduate students who are part of Massey University's Clinical Psychology Training Programme. In addition every year placements are available for four Registered Intern Psychologists within Mental Health Services, and opportunities available to support psychology research.

Otago University's Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Radiation Therapy) is a vocational degree, which has a large practical component.

​Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral supports this degree by offering placements for student radiation therapists. This degree has a competitive entry involving an interview process.

As well as supplying a very supportive working and learning environment, student radiation therapists are very lucky in that they receive full fee reimbursement from MidCentral. You will also earn a competitive wage while in the hospital (six months to a year in years two & three) and support with living costs in the second and third years of the course.

There are research opportunities for honours students post graduation as well as funding for other postgraduate activities.

Te Whatu Ora Health NZ - MidCentral has enjoyed a longstanding working relationship with the Massey University school of Social Work and Social Policy.

Massey has supplied top quality graduates from their four year bachelors degree in social work programme and the masters applied programme to MidCentral.

Social work students are offered placement opportunities every year. MidCentral employs over 50 social workers in physical health, child health and mental health including alcohol and other drug services and specialist Maori mental health, Oranga Hinengaro.

Social workers are located in strong and supportive teams. For the mental health and child health social workers these teams are multi disciplinary. An internship program is available for graduates wishing to train in mental health. MidCentral has developed a clinical career path for social workers and all practitioners are supported to undertake further professional development.