Community Mental Health Nurse - CAF Access Team

About the Company Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to creating a health system that serves all New Zealanders, rooted in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our organization values collaboration and commitment to providing quality care, ensuring that we meet the diverse needs of our communities. About the Role We are currently seeking a part-time, fixed-term professional to join our Child, Adolescent and Family (CAF) Access Team, covering parental leave until January 2026. This role operates on a 0.7 FTE basis, Monday to Friday during business hours. The CAF Access Team is responsible for receiving and responding to non-urgent referrals and inquiries for our specialist mental health services. In addition, we provide emergency responses when needed and offer short-term follow-up care for Tangata Whaiora (young people) and their whanau facing acute mental health concerns. We are looking for an individual who thrives under pressure, communicates effectively, and has a solid background in mental health. Experience working with tangata whaiora and their whanau, as well as the ability to deliver evidence-based treatments, will be highly advantageous. You will receive comprehensive orientation to work across all clinical functions of the team, along with ongoing support and appropriate external training as required. About You In this role, your responsibilities will include: - Phone triaging of tangata whaiora in crisis, collaborating with their family/whanau - Providing comprehensive psychiatric assessments and interventions to young people in psychiatric crisis, along with brief case management as deemed necessary by the multi-disciplinary team - Triaging routine (non-urgent) referrals into our CAF services, either via phone or, when necessary, through assessments - Collaborating with external agencies to strive for improved health outcomes within our community To be successful in this position, you will need: - Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with tangata whaiora, their family/whanau, the team, and other agencies - A minimum of two years of mental health experience, as well as knowledge of general mental health assessments and risk - Experience in a Child and Adolescent setting and an understanding of child and adolescent development is preferred - A current New Zealand driver’s license, as some travel is required for this role - Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, along with a current Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and mental health scope of practice About Us Our Specialist Mental Health Services team is an interdisciplinary group that operates within Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury. We are devoted to working alongside tangata whaiora and their whanau, fostering therapeutic, supportive, and empowering relationships that enable individuals to achieve their personal goals and aspirations. Apply Now If you believe you are the ideal candidate for this role, please submit your most recent resume along with a cover letter detailing your relevant skills and experiences. Applications are accepted online only, so please visit our website at http://www.cdhbcareers.co.nz to complete your application. For additional information, feel free to contact us at Natalie.Gaunt@tewhatuora.govt.nz. We encourage interested applicants to apply promptly, as we will be progressing applications as they are received.