Assesses clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities using clinical observations and standardised tests; assesses clients' functional potential in their home, leisure, work and school environments, and recommends environmental adaptations to maximise their performance; plans and directs programmes through the use of vocational, recreational, remedial, social and educational activities on an individual and group basis; provides advice to family members, carers, employers and teachers about adapting clients' home, leisure, work and school environments; provides adaptive equipment, such as wheel chairs and splints, to assist clients to overcome their functional limitations; works with other health professionals in overall case management of clients; works with other professionals in providing specialist advice to specific client groups such as those requiring driver rehabilitation, third-party compensation and medico-legal representation; records clients' progress and maintains professional relationships in accordance with relevant legislative requirements and ethical guidelines.

• Works indoors in hospitals, private clinics and nursing homes, patients' homes and workplaces, schools, prisons, long-term care institutes, and rehabilitation centres. Employees may also work at Marae and in community mental health teams.
• Employees may work outdoors when undertaking assessments of workplaces, homes and/or schools.
• Generally works in adequately lit, heated, ventilated and clean and well maintained workspaces. Conditions however may vary in relation to sites visited.

• Sedentary to light physical demand.
• Sits during assessments and consultations, when writing reports and designing programmes to facilitate rehabilitation. Stands and walks frequently when assessing a person’s ability to function within their normal environments.
• Lifting, stretching and reaching is unlikely to be a significant aspect of this job.
• Repetitive hand and finger movements are likely to be required when using computers, writing and other office equipment.
• Frequently uses general office equipment including computers, copiers, writing instruments, printers and faxes and assessment and rehabilitation equipment.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with medical knowledge, diagnostic, communication, interpersonal, organisational, problem solving and decision-making capabilities.

• A relevant tertiary qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances particular experience and/or on-the-job training may be required.
• Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and an Annual Practising Certificate.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.