Health Improvement Practitioner

Health Improvement Practitioner

Location: White Cross Shirley, Christchurch
Hours: 0.6 FTE (24 Hours Per Week) | Part Time
Full Time Opportunities May Be Available for the Right Candidate

Kia Ora | Hello | Talofa Lava | Ni Hao | Namaste | Mālō e Lelei | Bula Vinaka | Kamusta

About the Role
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in people's lives through early intervention and accessible mental health support?

The Wellness Support Team is seeking a Health Improvement Practitioner to join our award-winning primary mental health service at White Cross Shirley.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work within an innovative model of care that brings mental health and wellbeing support directly into primary care. This role is offered at 0.6 FTE (24 hours per week), however full time opportunities may be available for the right candidate.

As a Health Improvement Practitioner, you will work alongside General Practitioners, nurses, Health Coaches, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide brief, evidence-based interventions for people experiencing a wide range of mental health, physical health, addiction, behavioural, and social wellbeing concerns.

Using Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT), you will support patients and whānau through practical, timely, and effective interventions that help people make meaningful changes in their lives. Working within a busy General Practice environment, you will become an integral part of the clinic team, providing support when patients need it most.

What You Will Do
As a valued member of the clinical team, you will:

• Deliver brief behavioural and psychological health interventions within primary care.
• Support patients and whānau experiencing mental health, addiction, and wellbeing challenges.
• Work collaboratively with General Practitioners, nurses, Health Coaches, and community providers to deliver coordinated care.
• Facilitate individual and group-based wellbeing support where appropriate.
• Support patients to access additional services and community resources when required.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Promote culturally safe practice and equitable health outcomes.
• Participate in multidisciplinary discussions, peer review, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to improving access to mental health and wellbeing support within the community.

What You Will Bring
To be considered for this role, you will have:

• Registration under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA), or full membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors with Te Whatu Ora endorsement.
• Experience delivering brief, evidence-based psychological interventions.
• Confidence supporting people experiencing mild to moderate mental health and social wellbeing concerns.
• A strong understanding of evidence-based practice and professional standards.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to culturally safe practice and health equity.
• The ability to engage effectively with diverse communities.

About the Wellness Support Team
Established in 2012, the Wellness Support Team is a multi award-winning primary mental health service founded by Dr David Codyre.

Our team provides holistic support that integrates mental, physical, and social wellbeing, helping individuals and whānau access the right support at the right time. Working alongside General Practice teams, we help improve access to mental health services and support positive health outcomes for the communities we serve.

What We Offer

• Join a large, supportive, and well-established multidisciplinary team.
• Structured induction, supervision, mentoring, and ongoing FACT training.
• Regular peer review, reflective practice, and professional development time.
• Part time hours with the opportunity to discuss full time opportunities.
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities.
• Opportunities to contribute to innovation and service development.
• A meaningful role where you can make a genuine difference every day.
• A supportive team culture focused on collaboration, wellbeing, and professional growth.

Apply Now
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity where you can grow your career while making a genuine difference in the lives of patients and whānau, we would love to hear from you.

Please include a cover letter with your application.

Applications may be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage early applications.