Alcohol and Other Drug Clinician - Forensic Inpatient at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waikato, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre Waikato Hospital
• Permanent Full time 80 hours per fortnight
• Join a dynamic team, make a real impact and enjoy working in a collaborative environment supporting our tangata whaiora

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

We have two fantastic opportunities to join Puawai: Midland Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato as an Alcohol and Other Drugs ( AOD) clinician. The roles are spread across our four, soon to be five, forensic in-patient units offering autonomy and the opportunity to develop your experience into community forensics should this be of interest to you.

Our service works within the principles of abstinence and harm reduction, in a holistic manner, recognizing the multi-faceted problems that co-exist with AOD addiction. You will be using your clinical skills and experience to assess AOD usage and create support plans in partnership with tangata whaiora to support them along their journey to overcoming drug and alcohol addictions.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Conduct comprehensive clinical AOD assessments.
• Develop collaborative individual treatment plans with people affected by substance use.
• Provide therapeutic interventions which may include motivational interviewing, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention.
• Co-facilitate therapeutic AOD and dual diagnosis groups.

Click here to view the position description.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Be an experienced professional with a qualification in applied AOD studies, nursing, social work, counselling, psychology, occupational therapy or related fields.
• Be registered with DAPAANZ or equivalent professional body.
• Be seeking an opportunity to work in a cohesive well supported team and further develop your AOD expertise.
• Have a sense of social justice and enjoy working with people in all their complexity.
• Have a non-judgemental attitude, excellent engagement and communication skills, and an ability to work autonomously within a team.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 7 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amanda Lewis-Wilson at Amanda.Lewis-Wilson@waikatodhb.health.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.