Social Worker

Social Worker

Social Worker – Crisis Resolution Service (CRS)

Mental Health & Addictions Services

Palmerston North Hospital

Permanent – Full time

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.

About the Role

Are you an experienced Social Worker with a passion for supporting people through times of crisis? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Crisis Resolution Service (CRS) within the Mental Health & Addictions Service in Palmerston North.

Working alongside a skilled multidisciplinary team, you will bring a strong social work perspective to the assessment and care of tangata whaiora experiencing acute mental health crises. Your expertise will contribute to comprehensive assessments, collaborative clinical decision-making, and positive outcomes for tangata whaiora and their whānau.

In this role, you will:

• Undertake comprehensive psychosocial, mental health and risk assessments.
• Provide specialist social work input during crisis assessments and multidisciplinary team discussions.
• Support tangata whaiora and their whānau to access appropriate community resources and services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Emergency Department, Police, and the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.
• Advocate for tangata whaiora and contribute to recovery-focused, person-centred care

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Registration with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Ideally, at least five years' experience working within a mental health setting.
• Well-developed assessment, risk assessment and crisis intervention skills.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and collaborative practice skills.
• Current Duly Authorised Officer (DAO) status under the Mental Health Act, or a willingness to work towards becoming authorised.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference for people experiencing mental health crises, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Location

Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here: Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz). Check out our careers site here for more information about Palmerston North hospital.

We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options!

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.