Clinical Psychologist at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral, Manawatu / Whanganui

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Clinical Psychologist

Nga Wai Ngaru Acute Inpatient Mental Health Service

Permanent – Full time 1.0 FTE

Be part of a transformative model of care supporting wellbeing across MidCentral District.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

You are a compassionate and motivated Clinical Psychologist with experience in assessing and supporting people with mental health and addiction needs, ideally in an inpatient setting. You work well within a multidisciplinary team, value culturally responsive practice, and build strong connections with individuals and whānau. You are adaptable, open to innovation, and keen to contribute to whaiora whānau-centred care, consistent with the principles of recovery and long-term wellbeing. We prioritise the unique needs and well-being of everyone and support Whaiora in developing comprehensive wellness plans that incorporate their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs.

About you

You are an experienced, compassionate, and highly motivated Clinical Psychologist who brings strong clinical skills in assessing and supporting people with mental health and addiction needs, ideally within an inpatient setting. You value culturally responsive practice and understand the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, actively applying its principles in your work.

You communicate clearly, work well within multidisciplinary teams, and build positive, respectful relationships with people, whānau, and colleagues. You bring energy, creativity, and a commitment to delivering high-quality care aligned with a strengths-based, recovery-focused approach. You take responsibility for your own wellbeing, professional growth, and engage in high standards of practice. The new inpatient unit is a great environment where you will continue to grow and develop your clinical and professional practice.

About the Service

As a Clinical Psychologist working in our Acute Inpatient setting, you will work alongside a supportive multidisciplinary healthcare team that works collaboratively to empower whaiora to take control of their recovery and assists them to reconnect with their community.

Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees. We actively seek Māori Kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

About the Location

MidCentral region offers an excellent lifestyle for families with scenic spots for hiking and mountain-biking, great schools and tertiary institutions. With the mountains, city, and sea at your doorstep, you will get to taste the best of both worlds – the perfect blend of rural and city living.

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages to bustling townships, or city life. It is a family-friendly place that is easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz).  Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.

We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options! 

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Tara Penketh, Recruitment Advisor (Allied Health) at Tara.Penketh@tewhatuora.govt.nz>

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations, and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences.