Health Improvement Practitioner

Health Improvement Practitioner

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – South Canterbury

Permanent Part Time – 0.4 FTE (32 hours per fortnight)

Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction (IPMHA) Service

Help Improve Mental Wellbeing Through Early Intervention and Accessible Primary Care Support

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

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

The Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction (IPMHA) model provides easy access to mental wellbeing support through it being available in General Practice sites across the country.

• The key purpose of the Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) is to work within general practice as a regular team member.
• Provide brief, evidence based behavioural interventions to individuals, groups and families/whanau for both mental health and physical health conditions in people of all ages using the IPMHA model.
• Provide interventions to support people to thrive and flourish in alignment of their values.
• Work autonomously and be part a multidisciplinary team contributing to health outcomes.
• Specific Health Improvement Practitioner training will be given as part of this role.

About the Team / Service / Location

The Health Improvement Practitioner service works across primary care settings throughout South Canterbury and is integrated within General Practice teams. You will work collaboratively with General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Health Coaches, and other health professionals to provide timely, accessible support for people experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns.

This role covers the South Canterbury region and may include work across Timaru, Temuka, Pleasant Point, Geraldine, Waimate, and Twizel.

Based in Timaru, South Canterbury offers an exceptional lifestyle with affordable housing, excellent schools, short commute times, and easy access to beaches, lakes, mountains, skiing, hiking, and cycling. It's the perfect place to build your career while enjoying genuine work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Registration with an appropriate New Zealand professional body and a current Annual Practising Certificate
• Recent and extensive clinical experience within Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Strong knowledge of mental health and wellbeing interventions
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• The ability to work autonomously while contributing to a multidisciplinary team
• Strong relationship-building and engagement skills
• Experience working collaboratively with individuals, whānau, and community providers
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equitable health outcomes for Māori

Desirable

• Experience working within primary care or community-based health services
• Experience providing brief intervention and behavioural support approaches
• Knowledge of the IPMHA model of care
• Experience working with a diverse range of population groups and communities

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Salary Range

This role is covered by the terms and conditions of the relevant collective agreement and salary will be in accordance with the applicable pay scale and dependent on experience.

How to Apply

Please apply for this vacancy online via the Health NZ Careers website.

If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact Becky Allen at becky.allen2@tewhatuora.govt.nz.

If you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as we may commence recruitment before the closing date once suitable applications are received.

Please note this role is only open to current employees of Health NZ.