Mental Health Professional - Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) North Community Mental Health Team

Mental Health Professional – Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) North Community Mental Health Team

Dunedin

• 1.0 FTE (40hrs per week) 12-month fixed-term opportunity

• Salary Band - $81,863 to $112,496 pa pro-rata + KiwiSaver

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.

Are you a Health Professional – Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist ready to make a real difference in people's lives?

We're seeking a passionate and skilled Health Professional (Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists) to join our Adult Community Mental Health Team, based in Dunedin.

About the Role

The Mental Health NASC service, supporting people across our district who have acute or short-term needs, long-term health conditions, or age-related health needs.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and energetic Needs Assessor / Service Coordinator to join our supportive team and help people and whānau identify their goals, understand their options and access the services they need to live as independently as possible.

This is a varied role with a strong community focus, alongside opportunities to work within our inpatient services.

You'll undertake needs assessments, coordinate support and work alongside clients, whānau, health professionals and community providers to develop practical solutions that support wellbeing, independence and quality of life.

You'll also work closely with inpatient clinical teams to support safe and effective discharge planning, helping ensure people have the right support in place when they return home.

No two days will be the same — and your ability to adapt, problem-solve and think creatively will be highly valued.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Southern has the largest geographical coverage of all the New Zealand regions, providing services to 350,000 people in diverse communities. We take pride in all the services we provide, and our aim is to improve, promote and protect the health of our region. We believe that our dedicated and passionate staff are a significant driving force behind the achievement of these standards, and we need more like-minded people to help us continue providing for our community.

The North Community Mental Health Team works mainly in Dunedin, but our catchment area also extends as far as Middlemarch and Waikouaiti. Our multidisciplinary team provides secondary mental health services to adults with a major mental illness, and we work collaboratively with individuals on their recovery journey.

Dunedin is a great little city with a big town feel and well-known for its Southern Hospitality. Outside of work, you will find life in Dunedin to be very easy with its great schools, laid back lifestyle and world-famous wildlife on the Otago Peninsula. This compact yet vibrant regional city has plenty of energy, which is to be expected with it being a University town. This sustains great activities such as theatre, stunning gardens, art galleries, live-music and a diverse selection of restaurants and cafés. Central Otago is a notable holiday destination, and many outdoor recreation opportunities are easily accessible from Dunedin.

About you

As a Registered Health Professional with recent experience working in Mental Health, you will be able to put your knowledge and skills to good use assisting the team to provide mental health assessments and treatment, while working alongside our tangata whaiora and whanau.

You must be a registered health professional and hold a current Annual Practicing Certificate which allows you to work in mental health and be eligible to live and work in New Zealand.

You're motivated, thoughtful, and committed to making a difference.

• You hold (or are eligible for) Registration as a Health Professional with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, Occupational Therapy Board of NZ, Social Work Registration Board and hold a current APC

• You have a strong interest in and experience with mental health practice

• You're resilient and resourceful, with the ability to navigate complex situations

• You're committed to high clinical standards and continuous improvement

• You work well within a team and can communicate constructively, even in challenging situations

• You bring flexibility, adaptability, and a strong team-first mindset

What you'll bring to the team

• Proven mental health experience or a strong desire to build your career in this area

• A belief in recovery-focused care and positive outcomes for clients

• A full driver's licence to work across the region

Join us

This is more than a role—it's a chance to be part of a team that truly values recovery, collaboration, and community connection, in an incredible part of the country.

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 Tuesday 13 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact: james.boyd@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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