Psychologist | Whaikaha - Intellectual Disability

About the Company Hillmorton Hospital, located in Christchurch, is part of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. We are committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and providing quality healthcare to all New Zealanders. Our focus on integration and collaboration allows us to build a health system centered on partnership, equity, sustainability, and family-centered care. We strive for excellence in all aspects of our services. About the Role We are currently seeking a Clinical Psychologist for the Whaikaha Unit, a four-bed inpatient unit specializing in Intellectual Disability (ID) at Hillmorton Hospital. This unit provides regional clinical assessments and treatment for tangata whaiora who present with challenging behaviors. For those subject to the Intellectual Disability Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation Act (IDCC R Act 2003), we consider forensic aspects in their support plans. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals across the South Island. The position is fast-paced and varied, allowing you to contribute meaningfully to the development of a model of care and the establishment of a new high care unit within our existing facilities. We are dedicated to becoming a center of excellence for ID services. We are looking for a Clinical Psychologist with experience in working with ID tangata whaiora, as well as in mental health and/or forensic services. We also welcome applications from those interested in developing a career in Intellectual Disability. About You As a Clinical Psychologist, you will play several crucial roles within our team. Your expertise will guide risk assessments, diagnoses, and the delivery of various interventions to a complex group of adult patients, supporting them in building meaningful lives. Your professionalism and dedication to high-quality patient care will be essential for your success in this role. Strong communication and time management skills will enable you to collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. We aspire to lead the way in New Zealand for the delivery of intellectual disability inpatient services, and we offer career opportunities for those eager to work in an innovative and best-practice environment. Requirements To apply for this position, you must be a registered Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Recent and relevant experience in an intellectual disability context is crucial, and expertise in intellectual disability and Positive Behaviour Support is desirable. Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori, or a commitment to starting your journey in these areas, is expected. Experience in projects or initiatives that implement Te Tiriti principles and frameworks, along with the application of Mātauranga Māori and Kaupapa Māori approaches in healthcare settings, is also beneficial. Benefits Working for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora means being part of a dedicated team focused on delivering excellent healthcare to the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our Equity Work Programme emphasizes the importance of considering equity in all aspects of our work, fostering cultural change to improve health outcomes across the system. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to being good employers while honoring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage individuals from various backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. How to Apply To view the position description and apply for this role, please visit our online careers portal. All applications must be submitted through this portal. If you have any questions about the position, feel free to contact Natalie Gaunt at Natalie.Gaunt@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz. We will review applications as they are received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advertisement.