Mental Health Support Worker - South Island Eating Disorders Service (SIEDS) at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch Part-time 0.5FTE
Fixed term until 30th June 2026
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we are building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whanau-centred care, and excellence.
About the Role
We are looking for a Mental Health Support Worker to join us on a temporary part-time basis (24 hours per week). How these hours are arranged is to be negotiated with the successful applicant.
Please include a cover letter in your application.
About the Team/Service/Location
The South Island Eating Disorders Service based at Hillmorton Hospital provides inpatient and community treatment for people experiencing an eating disorder. Education, liaison, and consultation are also provided for mental health services and primary health services around the South Island. We are a small but experienced multidisciplinary team who are passionate about ensuring the best health outcomes for service users.
About You
In this role, you will be responsible for:
Developing relationships with the clinicians and the people who are being treated by SIEDS.
Assisting and supporting the specialist eating disorder clinicians in the delivery of quality health care, ensuring that services are provided efficiently, safely, and effectively. This will be in both the inpatient and community arms of the service.
Communicating and reporting changes, concerns, and issues back to the clinical team.
Using your experience to support people across a range of ages and offering encouragement in their journey through the service, fostering and developing independent living skills.
Supporting people through the promotion of choice and self-determination, through the implementation of the MDT plan of care and support, using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
Understanding and promoting the importance of connections with family-whanau, communities, and other specialist mental health services.
Being an integral and valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, contributing to the team culture and developing relationships with SIEDS staff.
Using clear communication and being able to articulate support principles, values, and tasks.
Contributing to written documentation and quality initiatives.
Adhering to all SMHS training requirements, policies, and protocols.
Having a sound knowledge of the community and NGO mental health sector, particularly community providers so that practical information and connections can be made with the people you are working with.
Challenging stigma and discrimination and proactively promoting inclusion and diversity.
Respecting and maintaining confidentiality.
Assisting with a wide range of tasks for care delivery under the direction and delegation of clinical staff and the MDT.
Recording tasks undertaken and observations accurately and in a timely manner.
Identifying and reporting unexpected or changing patient status.
Skills and Experience
A working understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practice.
Ability to communicate well with a broad range of people.
Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
Demonstrated networking skills and engaging/consulting with communities.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Working for Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the weaving of wellnesses. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand is committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whanau life, community, or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Maori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click 'apply now'. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on Friday 3rd January. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Natalie Gaunt at ******.
Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.
Employer: Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury
Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.
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