Clinical Psychologist - Te Whare Mauri Ora

• Are you passionate about working in a forensic setting?
• Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
• Permanent, full time Clinical Psychologist 1.0 FTE position in Te Whare Mauri Ora Forensic Inpatient Service.
• Great opportunity to expand your clinical knowledge and experience in Specialist Mental Health Services.
• Must be a Registered Clinical Psychologist.
• 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

Te Whare Mauri Ora (TWMO) is an open forensic rehabilitation ward where our aim is to help prepare our tangata whaiora for living in the community. We are a 13-bed forensic inpatient unit based on the Hillmorton Hospital campus and are part of the Regional Forensic Specialist Mental Health Services within Health New Zealand.

TWMO provides multidisciplinary assessment and treatment for tangata whaiora in a supportive open forensic rehabilitation setting. The service works with individuals whose mental health has contributed to serious offending, or who are assessed as presenting a high risk to themselves or others.  Our focus is on recovery and preparing them for a safe transition back into the community.

TWMO offers a range of individual and group therapeutic activities to support each tangata whaiora in their individual recovery and treatment via a case management model of care. The clinical psychologist role involves working with tangata whaiora who have complex needs and provides psychological assessments and treatments to support multi-disciplinary care.

This role is permanent, full time 1.0 FTE position, 40 hours per week. 

About You

In this role, you will:

• Be involved in MDT assessments, treatment planning, reviews, and discharge planning;
• Have knowledge of violence risk assessment;
• Have skills to undertake group therapy;
• Have skills to develop individually tailored evidence based psychological assessment and interventions, including diagnostic clarification/consultation and case formulation;
• Develop a broad knowledge of relevant mental health and criminal justice legislation;
• Develop relationships with our Pukenga Atawahi and Lived Experience partners;
• Develop an ability to provide consultation, training, and supervision;
• Developing a good understanding of the interface between Specialist Mental Health Services and other government agencies including the Courts, Ara Poutama Aotearoa and Ministry of Health.

Support

• The Forensic service has a team of clinical psychologists, who provide collegial support and peer review. You will be supported to develop a broad knowledge of relevant mental health and criminal justice legislation with professional development provided to undertake the provision of reports for the Court as a Health Assessor;
• Formal violence risk assessment training provision;
• To undertake other tasks such as contribution to services initiatives, and participating in consult liaison work for our general adult services and regional partners;
• Other professional development opportunities are also supported. 

Skills/experience

• Previous clinical psychologist experience is preferred but not essential;
• Formal training in violence risk assessment is also preferred but not essential;
• An ability to communicate psychological concepts and formulations effectively;
• An understanding of Te Tiriti and knowledge of kaupapa Maori practice models;
• Knowledge of other cultures, including Pacifica;
• Have excellent self-reflective skills;
• The ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships, begin where they are at, and establish relational security;
• The ability to work collaboratively with tangata whaiora, their family/whanau and the clinical team;
• The ability to prioritise and plan your workload-based on the service needs;
• The ability to advocate for the person and challenge discriminatory attitudes.

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. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Lisa Gray at Lisa.Gray2@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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

Position description Apply now

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