Mental Health Clinician - Crisis Asssessment

Mental Health Clinician Assessment Brief Care Team Mental Health Addictions Services Taranaki Base Hospital, New Plymouth Fixed-term parental leave cover Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and aims to create a health system that effectively serves all New Zealanders. About the Company At Health New Zealand, we focus on delivering exceptional healthcare services to our communities. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workforce, recognizing that a varied team is better equipped to understand and meet the needs of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from individuals across diverse backgrounds, including Māori, Pacific peoples, those with disabilities, and members of the rainbow community. About the Role We are seeking passionate and experienced mental health clinicians to join our Mental Health Assessment Team. This team is responsible for providing assessments and interventions for individuals and their families who are experiencing distress or crisis related to mental health issues. Our clinicians work in various environments, including community settings, homes, medical centers, and hospital facilities. Our goal is to meet individuals where they are and collaboratively achieve the best outcomes tailored to their needs and those of their families. In addition to conducting mental health assessments, our team engages in several key functions, including: - Arranging follow-up appointments with mental health professionals - Collaborating with primary care partners such as GPs and Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) - Providing follow-up support in person or over the phone - Facilitating access to respite care - Referring individuals to additional community services - Acting as Duly Authorised Officers and advising on the Mental Health Act Currently, our team comprises Registered Nurses, and we are looking to expand by adding Allied Health staff, including Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, who are dedicated to mental health and providing timely, responsive services for individuals in vulnerable situations. About the Team/Service/Location We offer a welcoming and supportive environment, committed to ensuring your success in this role. Our comprehensive orientation process will help you acclimate not only to our service but also to the broader mental health sector in Taranaki. For more information on living and working in Taranaki, please refer to our resources. About You We are looking for candidates who possess the following qualifications and skills: - A minimum of two years of postgraduate experience in a mental health setting - A calm, person-centered approach with strong de-escalation skills - Excellent written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills - Proficiency in Mental State Examination and Risk Assessment - Ability to implement appropriate clinical interventions and crisis management - Experience working with service users, their families, and other stakeholders to maintain therapeutic relationships - Capability to work autonomously as well as part of a team - Strong problem-solving and communication skills - Knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1992) and willingness to become a Duly Authorised Officer under the Act - A valid full driver’s license - Availability to work rostered, rotating shifts, including mornings, afternoons, and nights How to Apply If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your application through our online careers portal by December 15, 2025. If you have any questions about the role, feel free to contact Ross Ekdahl at ross.ekdahl@tdhb.org.nz. We will review applications as they come in and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date.