Clinical Practitioner

The Trusts; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 92,000; Part time

Job summary

Lifewise in Rotorua is establishing a new methamphetamine harm reduction service and is seeking an experienced Clinical Practitioner. The role combines direct clinical work with shaping how the service develops, alongside a multidisciplinary team including peer support workers and whānau connectors.

You’ll provide AOD assessments, brief interventions and recovery planning, grounded in trauma‑informed and culturally safe care, with strong commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori outcomes.

Qualifications

• Current DAPAANZ registration with a relevant addiction, counselling, social work, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy or allied health qualification.
• Mental health and addiction experience, including AOD practice and methamphetamine harm.
• Experience with tāngata whaiora, whānau, Māori providers, peer-led services and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and equitable outcomes for Māori.
• Understanding Ngā Paerewa, clinical governance and professional documentation and quality standards.
• Experience in clinical consultation or service development is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist clinical practice in AOD and methamphetamine harm reduction.
• Build trusted, trauma‑informed relationships with clients and whānau.
• Coordinate referrals, warm handovers and pathways to support services.
• Offer clinical guidance to peers and support workers while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Support risk assessment, safety planning and escalation where needed.
• Contribute to service development, governance and quality improvement.

Skills

AOD assessments

Brief interventions

Treatment planning

Trauma‑informed care

Culturally safe care

Education

Addiction counselling or allied health qualification

Job description

Clinical Practitioner- Methamphetamine Harm Reduction

Lifewise | Rotorua | Permanent part-time, 0.5 FTE

Salary: $90,000–$92,000 per annum, pro rata

A new service. Your expertise. A chance to shape what comes next.

Some roles offer the opportunity to join an established service. This one invites you to help build it.

Lifewise is establishing a new methamphetamine harm reduction service in Rotorua, and we’re looking for an experienced Clinical Practitioner who brings clinical expertise, fresh thinking and a strong belief in people’s capacity for recovery.

Working alongside Peer Support Workers, Pou Whānau Connectors and consortium partners, you’ll help create accessible, culturally responsive support that reduces harm and strengthens whānau wellbeing across Rotorua / Lakes.

What you’ll bring to life:

This role combines direct clinical practice with the opportunity to influence how a new service develops. You will:

• Provide specialist AOD assessments, brief interventions, treatment and recovery planning, and aftercare coordination.
• Build trusted relationships through trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally safe care.
• Connect people with the right support through coordinated referrals, warm handovers and strong community partnerships.
• Offer clinical guidance to peer and whānau support colleagues, valuing professional boundaries and lived-experience expertise.
• Support clinical risk assessment, safety planning and appropriate escalation.
• Contribute to service development, workforce capability and quality improvement, supported by accurate records, reporting and outcome monitoring.

What you’ll bring to the team:

You’re a thoughtful clinician who connects easily with people, works collaboratively and brings sound judgement to complex situations. You see the person behind the referral and understand that meaningful progress looks different for everyone.

You will have:

• Current DAPAANZ registration and a relevant addiction, counselling, social work, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy or allied health qualification, with other professional registration or membership where applicable.
• Demonstrated mental health and addiction experience, including AOD practice and methamphetamine-related harm.
• Experience working with tāngata whaiora, whānau, Māori providers, peer-led services and multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety and equitable outcomes for Māori.
• An understanding of Ngā Paerewa, clinical governance and professional documentation and quality standards.

Experience in clinical consultation, integrated community treatment, service development or quality improvement would be an advantage.

Why Lifewise?

Bring your ideas and help shape a service from the beginning. You’ll work within Lifewise’s clinical governance framework, alongside community partners committed to coordinated, recovery-focused care.

Our values of compassion, courage, respect and integrity guide how we work with communities and with each other. This is an opportunity to put those values into practice and make a lasting contribution to the Rotorua / Lakes community.

Applications close Friday, 6 November 2026.