Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs)

Christchurch PHO Limited; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to work with a supportive,

Flexible working environment

Professional development support

Job summary

Christchurch PHO Limited seeks two Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) to join a busy general practice in Halswell. You will use FACT (Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) within Te Tumu Waiora’s wellness model to provide real-time mental health support.

Candidates will be registered health professionals with a passion for mental health, work well in a multidisciplinary team, and demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills. Flexible, supportive environment offered.

Qualifications

• Registered health professional under the HPCA Act (covering Nursing Council of NZ; OTBNZ; NZ Psychologists Board).
• Interest in Mental Health (e.g. Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Addiction Counsellor).
• Experience as a clinician in a multidisciplinary team of GPs, nurses and other health professionals.
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application to health care, equity and service delivery.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to build relationships across diverse groups.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with individuals and families to support mental health and wellbeing with same-day, accessible care.
• Deliver brief consultations and behavioural interventions for mental health and physical health conditions.
• Utilise an integrated stepped model of care to coordinate services within general practice and the community.

Skills

Mental health care

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Education

HPCA-registered health professional

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Are you passionate about making a difference early and effectively in people's lives?

Are you looking for a role where you will be part of a multidisciplinary team with a strong and supportive culture?

We are looking for confident, proactive Practitioners who can work within a busy general practice environment. Having an empathetic, caring and flexible approach is a must in this role. There are two HIP positions available in the Halswell area– both up to 0.8 FTE.

About the role

Te Tumu Waiora (TTW) 'to head towards wellness' programme is a model of primary mental health care which aims to provide all New Zealanders experiencing mental distress or addiction challenges with access to convenient, high quality and person-centred care and support for people of all ages. The TTW model puts mental health and wellbeing at the heart of general practice and provides key roles such as Health Improvement Practitioners.

HIPs use Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) - a brief, evidence-based model designed to create meaningful change in patients' lives.

Key responsibilities

• Work directly with individuals and their families to help improve their mental health and wellbeing, providing same-day, accessible support to patients/whānau
• Deliver brief, consultation-based services and behavioural interventions to general practice patients for both mental health and physical health conditions
• Utilise an integrated 'Stepped Model of Care' that supports clients' needs and enables them to move between services in general practice and, if needed, through to the community

About you

• A relevant registered health professional qualification under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA) 2003 which covers the Nursing Council of New Zealand; Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ); New Zealand Psychologists Board
• An interest in Mental Health (e.g. Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Addiction Counsellor)
• Experience as a clinician who works well in a multidisciplinary team of GPs, nurses and other health professionals
• A working knowledge and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application to health care, equity and service delivery
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to develop relationships with a wide variety of people
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills

About us

Christchurch PHO, established in 2003, operates as a community-based not-for-profit company. The PHO supports 10 member practices providing primary care services to an enrolled and funded population of over 92,000 patients.

• Opportunity to work alongside a supportive and passionate team
• Flexible working environment
• Genuine commitment to supporting your professional development