Registered Nurse / Social Worker - Co-Response Team

• Based across Hillmorton Hospital and New Zealand Police sites
• 2.0 FTE Registered Nurses and 1.0 FTE Social Worker available
• Part or full time considered, Monday to Friday

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 Team

The Co‑Response Team (CRT) is an exciting new initiative within Specialist Mental Health Service Canterbury. In partnership with New Zealand Police, we deliver a rapid, skilled, and compassionate joint response to people in acute psychological distress in the community. This service supports the Government’s current focus on strengthening crisis responses through effective health–police collaboration, to improve equity and access across Aotearoa.

You will join a supportive and forward-thinking team of clinicians working closely with Police and community partners. We value collaboration, cultural safety, and a shared commitment to delivering compassionate, high quality care for people and their whanau experiencing mental distress. Bring your enthusiasm and motivation to work with us and we’ll provide a great opportunity to enhance your skills in a specialist, highly rewarding area of mental health practice.

About the Role

In this role you will provide rapid mental health assessment and crisis intervention in community settings, undertaking mental state and risk assessments to identify safe least restrictive pathways for people in distress. You will apply trauma informed and de-escalation approaches, work in partnership with Māori and community services, provide advice on Mental Health Act processes and collaborate across multiple agencies to support coordinated care. 

For more information on living and working in Christchurch please click here.

About you

• Registered Nurse or Social Worker with current Annual Practicing Certificate and scope of practice that includes mental health
• Full New Zealand driver’s license essential

• DAO status or willingness to work towards this training
• Ability to work collaboratively with Police, health services and community/NGO partners to provide coordinated care
• Commitment to culturally safe practice, recovery-oriented care, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles

• Excellent skills in clinical formulation and risk assessment and the ability to build rapport with highly distressed individuals
• Strong triage and clinical decision making skills in dynamic community settings

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a mental health setting is preferable however not essential 

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 by Thursday, 2nd April. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Recruitment Partner Lisa Gray 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. 

Apply now

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