Clinical Psychologist at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Southern, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Puawai and Community Rehabilitation Centre, Wakari Hospital, Dunedin
• Permanent, full-time role (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week)
• Salary band - $85,000 - $130,000 pro-rata and KiwiSaver

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.

We are seeking a psychologist to join our collaborative rehabilitation team. This is a hands-on role that is varied, and patient-centred - combining assessment, therapy, problem-solving, and working closely with a skilled interdisciplinary team.

You would be part of a wider psychology network along with strong support from allied health, nursing and medical colleagues.

About the team

Puāwai Rehabilitation Unit is a 12-bed inpatient service that works mainly with younger adults (

We value a patient- and whānau-centred approach, working in partnership to help each person reach their rehabilitation potential. This role may also include some community-based work, supporting patients and other allied health professionals as people transition through different stages of their rehabilitation journey.

We take pride in supporting our staff to grow with funding available for professional development and upskilling. You also get to learn from the myriads of other health professionals you will be working with.

A key aspect of this role is teamwork - the Puāwai and Community team is known for being proactive, supportive, and truly collaborative.

About the opportunity

Your clients, who have neurological and/or physical disorders, will benefit from your clinical expertise and your ability to work effectively within a wider interdisciplinary team. You will be responsible for assessing clients' needs and assisting them to meet their rehabilitation goals.

Some of the more common tasks include:

• conducting neuropsychological and functional assessments to guide patient-focused rehabilitation plans
• providing, usually brief, individual therapy for individuals experiencing psychological distress during their rehabilitation journey
• developing and implementing behavioural management strategies, working alongside nursing, allied health, and medical staff to support patient goals
• working with family and whānau to support patients' recovery in ways that fit their home and social context
• turn assessments into practical, achievable goals that are meaningful to each patient
• completing capacity assessments
• helping the team apply tailored strategies to manage more complex patient needs.

View position description.

About you

You will bring experience working within an interdisciplinary team and with clients of all ages who have physical and cognitive disabilities. Excellent communication skills are essential, along with the ability to adapt and work effectively in a dynamic and evolving health environment.

We're looking for someone with enthusiasm, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to both their patients and the wider team - a strong team player who values collaboration and shared success.

Applicants must have a New Zealand Diploma in Clinical Psychology or overseas equivalent qualification and hold a current practising certificate. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation.

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, 11 January 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact James Boyd 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.

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.