Social Worker - Adult Acute Inpatient Facility

Social Worker - Adult Acute Inpatient Facility

Acute mental health wards - Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre (HRBC) - soon to be relocating to a new purpose built, contemporary facility, Waikato Hospital

Permanent 80 hours per fortnight Monday to Friday

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

As a member of the multidisciplinary team, you will work in partnership to support taangata whaiora to achieve their maximum mental health potential. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled social worker to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding to a varied caseload; coordinating care and providing therapeutic interventions, solutions and advocacy to identified psycho-social needs.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Effectively use social work processes to ensure quality health social work is provided to taangata whaiora and their whanau.
• Develop and maintain internal and external linkages for the provision of a comprehensive co-ordinated social work service.
• Provide a social work assessment of support needs for taangata whaiora.
• Develop and co-ordinate appropriate services which are responsive to the needs as identified by the assessment.

About the Team

Our new facility consists of two large units, each with their own high dependency areas.

Whilst this investment introduces a contemporary purpose-built facility, its true significance lies in the opportunity to redefine how care is experienced by taangata whaiora, their whaanau and loved ones.

Both units have their own multidisciplinary team which include nurses, mental health assistants, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, alcohol and other drugs clinicians occupational therapy assistants, Takawaenga, and activities facilitators.

About Hamilton

Hamilton, where Waikato Hospital is situated, is a vibrant city nestled alongside the scenic Waikato River, offering a perfect mix of nature and culture. Explore the stunning Hamilton Gardens, home to themed gardens from Italy to Asia, or visit the Waikato Museum to delve into the region's rich history. The city also boasts the Hamilton Zoo, where you can walk through an aviary filled with native birds. Hamilton is a lively hub, with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with events like rugby, cricket, and the famous National Agricultural Fieldays and Balloons over Waikato festival. With its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to outdoor adventures, Hamilton is an ideal place to live and work.

For more information on living and working in Waikato click here

About you

• Competency with te ao Maaori, tikanga, and te reo Maaori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.
• Experience in upholding Te Tiriti principals and frameworks, and the application of Maatauranga Maaori and Kaupapa Maaori approaches, particularly as they apply in healthcare settings.
• Registration with the Social Workers Board of New Zealand.
• Current full drivers licence.
• A passion for making a difference to the lives of our tangata whaiora and whanau.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Skills in comprehensive mental health assessment and risk management.
• Demonstrated skills in effective documentation of clinical assessments and interventions, including formulation.

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 online or apply via our Waikato Careers website by clicking here.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on 11 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amanda Lewis-Wilson at Amanda.Lewis-Wilson@waikatodhb.health.nz

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

Job Reference: - WAI32730

Location: - North Island - Waikato - Hamilton

Job type: - Permanent Full time

Expertise: - Clinical - Mental Health - Social Worker

Closes: - 11-Oct-2026