Psychiatrist | Intellectual Disability/Learning Disability Service

Consultant Psychiatrist - Intellectual Disability Mental Health Service

Christchurch Hospital | Permanent Full-time (part-time considered)

Make a meaningful difference in one of the most specialised and rewarding areas of psychiatry. This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established Intellectual Disability Mental Health Service where your expertise, values, and clinical judgement truly matter.

At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we are committed to delivering equitable, person-centred care and improving outcomes for people with intellectual and learning disabilities and their whānau. If you are a psychiatrist who values depth of work, multidisciplinary collaboration, and making real impact (not just throughput), this role offers a genuinely fulfilling career pathway.

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

As a Consultant Psychiatrist within the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Service, you will provide specialist psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for adults (18+) with intellectual disabilities and co-existing mental health needs. This role offers a rich mix of inpatient and community-based work, with opportunities to manage complex presentations including dual diagnosis, neurodevelopmental disorders, challenging behaviours, and forensic interfaces.

You will work closely with a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic, strengths-based care that supports long-term wellbeing and quality of life. This is a full-time permanent position, however flexible or part-time arrangements may be considered for the right candidate.

Ngā kawenga matua | Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychiatric and risk assessments to support effective, individualised treatment planning
• Deliver high-quality specialist care across inpatient and outpatient/community settings
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, and social work
• Participate in MDT meetings, case reviews, and service development initiatives
• Contribute to clinical leadership, quality improvement, and the development of service policies and protocols
• Engage in ongoing professional development and supervision

About the Team / Service

The Intellectual Disability Mental Health Service is a specialist service supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and complex mental health needs across Canterbury. The service includes:

• PSAID - a 6-bed specialist inpatient unit
• Whaikaha - a 4-bed high-care unit
• A well-established community outpatient team providing ongoing, wraparound support

Care is delivered across inpatient, outpatient, and forensic settings, with strong inter-service collaboration and a shared commitment to respectful, person-centred practice.

About You

You will bring both clinical excellence and genuine compassion to your work. We are looking for someone who values teamwork, cultural safety, and thoughtful, relationship-based care.

• Vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (or eligibility to obtain)
• Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or equivalent
• Experience or a strong interest in intellectual disability and/or neurodevelopmental psychiatry (desirable, not essential)
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills
• Commitment to equity, continuous improvement, and patient-centred care

Why Join Us?

• Work in a highly specialised service with manageable caseloads and meaningful clinical depth
• Be part of a supportive, values-driven multidisciplinary team
• Enjoy a true work'life balance in Christchurch, with easy access to beaches, mountains, skiing, tramping, and a vibrant food and arts scene
• Ongoing professional development, supervision, and opportunities for service innovation

Working at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and serve our communities.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities and are committed to being a good employer that honours equity, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

How to Apply

To apply, please click Apply Now via our online careers portal. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable candidates prior to the closing date.

For more information please contact:

Amy Walker
Recruitment Specialist
Email: Amy.Walker@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.