Mental Health Senior Nurse AOD Practitioner, Mental Health & Addictions

Specialist Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Practitioner Mental Health & Addictions

• Manukau, Full Time Permanent Role (1 FTE)
• Senior Nurse Role
• Monday - Friday

Our Organisation:

Health NZ Counties Manukau is a dynamic and progressive organisation at the forefront of innovative health care delivery within the New Zealand Public Health Sector. We continue to work with others to achieve equity in key health indicators for Maaori, Pacific and communities with health disparities and will continue to develop and implement plans, based on local needs to improve the health and wellbeing of Counties Manukau region. Our main sites are Middlemore Hospital, Kidz First Hospital and Manukau Health Park.

We are part of Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, the overarching organisation for New Zealands national health service. HNZ leads the day-to-day running of the health system, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. 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 Maaori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

About the role:

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Specialist Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Practitioner to contribute to the ongoing transformation of Mental Health & Addictions services across Counties Manukau.

Our services are working towards a more integrated model of care that responds holistically to people experiencing both mental health and addiction needs. A key part of this approach is strengthening specialist addiction expertise across the continuum of care, from primary care-facing teams through to community and acute mental health services.

As a Specialist AOD Practitioner, you will bring advanced addiction knowledge and clinical expertise to this work. You will provide consultation, liaison and specialist advice, while helping clinicians and teams strengthen their capability and confidence in responding to addiction and co existing problems.

You will work collaboratively across our organisation and with external partners, including Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS), residential treatment providers, primary care, NGOs and other community agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist addiction expertise, consultation, liaison and advice across mental health services
• Support comprehensive clinical assessment, formulation and intervention for people experiencing substance-use and co-existing mental health issues
• Help clinicians use appropriate screening and assessment approaches that take account of a person's age, culture, circumstances and clinical context
• Support clinicians to assess readiness for change and tailor interventions that promote engagement and positive change
• Provide expert guidance relating to risks, safety concerns and appropriate interventions
• Help clinicians identify when further specialist addiction intervention is required
• Support the development and sustainability of co-existing problems capability across the specialist mental health workforce
• Contribute to the ongoing development of integrated addiction services
• Provide addiction leadership and subject-matter expertise across the service
• Support colleagues through coaching, mentoring and capability development
• Work collaboratively with internal and external services to create coordinated, person-centred responses
• Contribute ideas and expertise as models of care continue to develop.

For a copy of the job description click here

About You:

• NZ Registered health professional (nurse/allied) with a current APC
• Mental Health scope of practice
• Registration as a DAPAANZ practitioner, with experience practising within the Addiction Intervention Competency Framework
• 5+ years AOD clinical experience
• Expert or Senior level on the PDRP for nurses and senior level of practice for allied health professionals
• Full & clean NZ Drivers Licence
• Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Relevant post graduate qualification

Apply online now! If you have any questions, please contact Fran Upoko in the Recruitment Team at cm-nursemidwifejobs@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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

Job Number: CMH202616664

Application Closes: 25 November 2026