Registered Mental Health Clinician - Consult Liaison

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Community Mental Health Services, Pembroke Street, Hamilton (based at Waikato Hospital)
• Permanent, 80 hours per fortnight (Monday – Friday)
• Join a skilled and supportive Consult Liaison Team
• Are you a registered mental health clinician seeking a dynamic and meaningful hospital-based role?

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

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate mental health clinician to join our specialist Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) team at Waikato Hospital. This unique role involves mental health assessment, intervention, and support for adults, young people, and children admitted across medical and surgical wards, including both adult and paediatric services.

You will work collaboratively with our adult and paediatric consultation liaison psychiatrists, alongside multidisciplinary hospital teams, to deliver high-quality, holistic mental health care in a busy and dynamic environment.

Key responsibilities include conducting bedside assessments, liaising with inpatient and community teams, contributing to care planning, and providing short-term psychological support for patients and their whānau. The role also involves education and liaison with hospital staff to ensure best practice in the management of co-morbid mental and physical health conditions.

If you have a strong background in mental health (adult, child, or both), a collaborative approach, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced hospital environment, we’d love to hear from you.

To view the position description for Occupational Therapist click here, for Registered Nurse click here or for Social Worker click here.

About the Team and Service

The Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) team at Waikato Hospital provides specialist mental health expertise across both adult and paediatric medical and surgical services, working collaboratively to support patients with complex mental health needs during their hospital stay.

Our service takes a holistic approach, recognising that all health conditions involve an intricate balance of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. We are committed to delivering high-quality, culturally responsive care that addresses the whole person and their whānau.

You’ll join a collegial, values-driven team that fosters professional growth, shared learning, and excellence in practice – making a genuine difference in the lives of people across all age groups.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Waikato’s Mental Health and Addictions Services provide comprehensive care across the region, supporting individuals with a wide range of mental health needs — from acute crises to long-term conditions. As a service, we are transitioning toward a culturally led, clinically underpinned model of care, with a strong focus on achieving improved outcomes for tangata whaiora and whānau.

About Hamilton

Waikato Hospital is a major regional hospital in Hamilton and is a leading tertiary teaching hospital located in Hamilton, New Zealand, serving as the regional hub for the Midland area, which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Taranaki districts. With around 722 inpatient beds, 22 operating theatres, and a dedicated outpatient clinic and procedure centre, Waikato Hospital provides comprehensive hospital services, including radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy. As a major teaching hospital with affiliations to the University of Auckland, University of Waikato, and Wintec, it offers a dynamic learning environment and access to research opportunities. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus, with both road and air ambulance support.

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

We are seeking a registered mental health professional (nurse, occupational therapist, or social worker) with strong clinical assessment skills and experience in working with either adults, children, or adolescents—ideally across more than one age group. You will be adaptable and capable of providing mental health input across the lifespan.

A deep understanding and commitment to culturally safe practice is essential. We are looking for someone who honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrates respect for the diverse cultural values, practices, and needs of tangata whaiora and their whānau.

Key Responsibilities and Attributes

• Experience in mental health assessment and risk assessment for adults and/or young people, including brief psychological interventions.
• Ability to provide timely bedside assessments and collaborative care planning for patients admitted across medical and surgical wards (adult and paediatric).
• Strong collaborative skills to work with consultation liaison psychiatrists, multidisciplinary hospital teams, and external agencies.
• Skilled in developing and reviewing individualized mental health care plans for patients with complex medical and psychological needs.
• Confidence in liaising with community teams (e.g., adult mental health teams, ICAMHS, NGOs) to ensure seamless continuity of care.
• Experience supporting hospital staff in the management of patients with co-morbid physical and mental health conditions, such as eating disorders or chronic illness.
• Ability to respond promptly and effectively to psychiatric emergencies within the hospital setting.
• Commitment to accurate, professional documentation and adherence to organisational and regulatory standards.
• Passion for service development, continuous improvement, and supporting recovery-focused outcomes.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Cultural competence and a commitment to culturally safe practice.
• Current registration with NZNC, SWRB, or OTBNZ, and a valid APC.
• A full, clean New Zealand driver’s licence.

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 6 August 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kim Maskell on +64 7 839 8899.

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