Psychologist | Whaikaha - Intellectual Disability

About the Company Hillmorton Hospital, located in Christchurch, is part of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, an organization dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare services to all New Zealanders. We are grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and believe in building a health system characterized by partnership, equity, sustainability, and excellence in care. Our mission is to ensure that our services are whānau-centered and promote the well-being of our community. About the Role We are currently seeking a Clinical Psychologist for the Whaikaha Unit, a specialized 4-bed inpatient Intellectual Disability (ID) unit within Hillmorton Hospital. In this role, you will engage in clinical assessments and treatment for our tangata whaiora who exhibit challenging behaviors. Some individuals may be under the Intellectual Disability Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation Act (IDCC R Act 2003), and you will be involved in creating support plans that consider forensic aspects. This position is fast-paced and varied, providing an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals across the South Island. You will play a key role in developing a model of care and contributing to the establishment of a new high care unit within our existing facilities. We are committed to becoming a center of excellence for ID services, and we welcome applications from Clinical Psychologists with experience in intellectual disability, mental health, or forensic services. About You As a Clinical Psychologist, your expertise will be essential in conducting risk assessments, making diagnoses, and delivering various interventions for a complex group of adult patients. Your dedication to high-quality patient care, along with strong communication and time management skills, will enable you to thrive as a member of our multidisciplinary team. We are looking for candidates who are registered as Clinical Psychologists with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and possess recent, relevant experience in an intellectual disability context. Expertise in Positive Behavior Support and a commitment to gaining competency in te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori is desirable. Experience with initiatives that promote the principles of Te Tiriti, as well as the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches in healthcare settings, will be advantageous. Benefits At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. Our Equity Work Programme focuses on promoting equity throughout the health system and ensuring that our services meet the diverse needs of our community. We value the unique experiences that all candidates bring to the table, and we encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds, including those from Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply If you are interested in this opportunity, please include a cover letter with your application. To view the position description and apply for the role, please visit our online careers portal. If you have any questions regarding the position, feel free to reach out to Natalie Gaunt at Natalie.Gaunt@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz. We will review applications as they are received and may begin the recruitment process before the closing date of this advertisement. We look forward to hearing from you.