Clinical Psychologist - Intellectual Disability Service, Inpatient and Community at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Clinical Psychologist – Intellectual Disability Service, Inpatient and Community
Wakari Hospital
- 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week) permanent opportunity
About the Team
The Intellectual Disability Service (IDS) is part of the Specialist Mental Health Services based at Wakari Hospital, high above Dunedin with stunning views of the city and ocean. The IDS comprises of three parts, Ward 10a – a 12-bed inpatient service, Helensburgh Cottage – a 4-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit and the Community Liaison Team. You will work alongside the multidisciplinary team comprising of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Mental Health Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Psychiatrists.
About the Role
This psychology position provides specialist psychological assessment and intervention across both the Medium Secure Forensic Intellectual Disability Inpatient Ward and the Forensic Intellectual Disability Consultation Liaison Service. The role works with individuals who are subject to the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003 and/or the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
The psychologist will deliver psychologically informed, evidence-based assessment, formulation, and therapeutic interventions to clients with complex needs, including intellectual disability, mental health disorders, and forensic histories. The role requires working within secure and community-based settings, contributing to multidisciplinary team decision making, risk assessment, and care planning, while supporting least-restrictive, recovery oriented, and trauma-informed practice.
The Location
The Southern region of New Zealand offers excellent amenities, schooling and recreation. We're home to the most beautiful landscapes in NZ, if it's the great outdoors that presses your buttons; and we're within easy reach of Queenstown if its adrenalin you seek. It's all here waiting - the opportunity to create a fantastic work / life balance is within your reach.
To be eligible for consideration you must be a Registered Clinical Psychologist with the NZ Psychologist's Board, hold a current practising certificate and NZ driver licence.
Salary range
This role belongs to the APEX Allied Scientific and Technical Multi-Employer Collective Agreement and falls between Step 1 $85,000 and Step 8 $120,000 (Pro rata) of the Degree-Based Allied, Public Health and Technical scale.
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 by Sunday 10 May 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.
Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details
| Employer: | Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern |
| Location: | Otago |
| Position type: | Permanent Full time |
| Category: | Health |
| Date listed: | 30-Apr-2026 |
| Salary range: | |
| Closing date: | 10-May-2026 |
| Reference: | 22023 |
| Attachment: | No File Attached |
| File links: | |
| Website: |
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