Health Improvement Practitioner

• Multiple full and part-time roles available
• Fixed term until 30th June 2027
• Based in Central Wellington

Please note we'll only accept applications made through Seek.

Be part of an exciting milestone in improving Asian communities’ access to mental health support. Asian Family Services (AFS) is expanding our integrated mental health service across general practices and communities in the Greater Wellington region. We’re seeking Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) to deliver brief, evidence-based and culturally responsive interventions that are easily accessible to Asian individuals and their families.

Why this role matters

This service will improve how Asian communities engage with primary care and community resources by providing fast, accessible support in the community. Support will be tailored to language and culture and aligned with a stepped-care model. You’ll help remove barriers, build confidence and connect people with the right support the first time.

Key responsibilities

• Work in the community and use different delivery methods (phone, face-to-face and online) to provide brief behavioural health sessions for individuals, couples, groups and families, and/or brief interventions for a wide range of mental and physical health needs, with clear documentation on the appropriate platform.
• Join regular practice communication with practices, consult with clinicians, and work closely with clinical services, community support workers, health coaches and the AFS Public Health Team to support general wellbeing.
• Co-design structured pathways and group programmes for Asian communities and collaborate with other organisations to reach Asian populations and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Uphold professional standards, including maintaining a current annual practising certificate (APC) and/or professional membership, and participate in HIP training, supervision and ongoing professional development.

About You

This role will require you to have all of the following:

• NZ‑recognised graduate/post‑graduate qualification (e.g., counselling, psychology, psychotherapy, social work, nursing, occupational therapy).

• Current practising certificate and full registration with relevant professional body.

• Applicants with a counsellor background must meet the following requirements at the same time: Hold full NZAC membership at Tuakana level and a current practising certificate and hold the appropriate Te Whatu Ora accreditation to practice in a Te Whatu Ora-funded health setting.

• Strong cultural capability, including confidence working with Asian communities, understanding cultural norms, and applying culturally safe practice.

• High professionalism with excellent clinical documentation, digital literacy, and the ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, integrated general practice environment.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Hindi, Mandarin or Cantonese, Filipino, or another Asian language, to support culturally and linguistically tailored care and reduce access barriers.

And it is also desirable that you have:

• Demonstrated experience delivering brief, evidence‑based interventions (e.g., CBT, ACT, PST, Solution‑Focused), ideally in primary or secondary mental health settings.

Applications are open until 5pm, 15 October 2026 - we encourage you to apply early as we will fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate.

About us

Asian Family Services (AFS) has been providing support to our Asian communities in New Zealand since 1998. We are a charitable trust and New Zealand's leading service provider for people of Asian backgrounds affected by mental health issues and gambling harm.

Our services are based in the community and span across a variety of settings: telehealth via our Asian Helpline is offered in 7 different languages; harm minimisation and prevention work through our public health team; school-based child and youth mental health and wellbeing programmes via our Kia Ora Ake team; general counselling services through our Asian Wellbeing Services; and gambling harm clinical intervention services.

On top of this, we are commissioned for several significant projects focused on our Asian communities ranging from suicide prevention, to researching the experience of those living with gambling harm, and much more!