Registered Social Worker/Mental Health Clinician - Hastings Community Mental Health & Addictions at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay, Hawkes Bay

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Registered Social Worker/Mental Health Clinician Hawkes Bay Fallen Soldiers Hospital
• Permanent, Part-Time 64 hours per fortnight (0.8 FTE)
• Join a supportive, skilled multidisciplinary team where your professional expertise directly contributes to improved wellbeing, recovery and hauora outcomes for people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.

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 are seeking a Registered Social Worker or Mental Health Clinician (e.g., Occupational Therapist) to join our Hastings Community Mental Health & Addictions team. In this role, you will provide highquality, culturally responsive assessment, treatment and support to adults experiencing mental health needs, coexisting conditions, and social complexity.

You will carry a varied clinical caseload, completing comprehensive assessments, developing treatment plans, providing therapeutic interventions, supporting recovery, and collaborating closely with whānau and multidisciplinary partners. You will contribute to safe discharge planning, interagency coordination, risk management, and ongoing service improvement.

This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively in a dynamic community setting where your skills, values and commitment to equity will make a direct and lasting impact.

Please click below to view the position descriptions:

• Occupational Therapist
• Registered Social Worker

About the Team/Service/ Location

Based within Hastings Community Mental Health & Addictions, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team including social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, cultural advisors and community partners. The service is grounded in whanaungatanga, traumainformed practice and supporting tangata whaiora in a holistic, empowering way.

For more information on living and working in Hawkes Bay click HERE

About you

You are a compassionate, skilled clinician who is committed to delivering highquality, recoveryfocused care. You will have:

If applying as a Registered Social Worker:

• Bachelor of Social Work (or higher) recognised by the Social Work Registration Board.
• Current NZ Social Worker registration with an Annual Practising Certificate.
• Experience in mental health and/or addiction services.
• Strong understanding of statutory frameworks such as the Mental Health Act, PPPR Act, family harm and child protection processes.

If applying as an Occupational Therapist (Mental Health Clinician):

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (or equivalent).
• Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of NZ and a current APC.
• Experience working clinically in mental health, addiction, or psychosocial settings.
• Strong functional assessment, intervention planning and rehabilitation skills.

For both pathways:

• Strong assessment, clinical reasoning and therapeutic intervention skills.
• Ability to build effective therapeutic relationships with tangata whaiora and whānau.
• Excellent communication skills, including working with complex or sensitive information.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and equitable outcomes.
• Full NZ driver licence and competent computer skills.

Desired:

• Experience with coexisting disorders (mental health + addiction).
• DBT / CBT / motivational interviewing or similar therapeutic training.
• DAPAANZ registration (advantageous, not essential for the social work pathway).
• Experience in community mental health settings.

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 20th April 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alister Mains Alister.Mains@hbdhb.govt.nz

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

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