Health Improvement Practitioner

Introduction

Welcome! We at Fresh Minds invite registered mental health experts to embrace a novel career opportunity as a Health Improvement Practitioner, joining New Zealand's emerging primary care behavioural health workforce. Your work will be central to a South Auckland general practice, where you empower individuals to achieve holistic health and wellbeing goals through brief, targeted interventions.

Role Details

• Position is part-time at 0.6 FTE, located in Clendon, South Auckland.
• Meaningful role targeting enhancement of community wellbeing, with particular focus on Māori, Pasifika, and youth populations.
• Role is relationship-oriented, integrating fully within a general practice clinic connected to a national initiative.
• Access to specialised training and continuous mentorship from New Zealand’s leading experts in Primary Care Behavioural Health and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

The government’s rollout of the Te Tumu Waiora programme is transforming mental health care in New Zealand by reducing barriers and emphasizing skill-based support over medication. This programme promotes self-directed physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.

Core Responsibilities

• Deliver brief psychological interventions, especially Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT), along with evidence-based group programs.
• Act as a novel clinical resource within the GP team by providing consultation, education, and guidance.
• Collaborate on population health initiatives with GPs and nurses to develop intervention pathways tailored to clinic needs.

Candidate Requirements

• Must be a registered mental health professional such as psychologist, psychotherapist, mental health nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, DAPAANZ-registered Counsellor, or a full NZCA member with Te Whatu Ora Accreditation.
• Self-driven and able to work independently while contributing positively to a team enhancing community wellbeing.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, diverse general practice environment.
• Possess prior training in talking therapies including ACT, FACT or CBT.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse populations.

Benefits and Support

• Collaborate with health coaches, GPs, and nurses in a multidisciplinary setup aimed at improving healthcare access and quality.
• Comprehensive training program encompassing classroom and on-site learning, plus ongoing mentoring, supervision, and development.
• Membership in a nationwide network of Health Improvement Practitioners for shared knowledge and support.
• Depending on FTE, eligibility for a comprehensive health insurance scheme.
• Access to subsidized gym memberships and retail discounts tailored by Auckland region.

Additional Information

This opportunity requires New Zealand citizenship or residency as only applicants with legal work rights will be considered. Agency inquiries are not accepted. ProCare is committed to equal opportunity employment, embracing diversity across cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences.

For additional role information or confidential discussions, contact Lee at lee.jatho@procare.co.nz.