Registered Nurse Mental Health - Auckland Prison

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Mental Health Nurse, Intervention and Support Practice Team, Auckland Prison

• Based at Auckland Prison, Albany
• Monday to Friday, onsite parking
• Drive positive change through meaningful work
• Work collaboratively with a vibrant and supportive team of professionals to ensure comprehensive care for people
• Experience ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and stay updated on best practices in mental health service provision

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The Auckland Prison Intervention and Support Practice (ISP) team is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Registered Nurse to join our established multi-disciplinary service. This is a newly created position, offering the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in our care.

As a Mental Health RN, you will provide specialised mental health nursing across the full spectrum of care from triage and assessment to implementing evidence-based interventions. You will work collaboratively with custodial staff, the wider health team, and external stakeholders to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care.

Embedded within a team of experienced mental health professionals, you will support some of the most vulnerable individuals in the prison environment. Our practice is grounded in clinical excellence and guided by the principles of Humanising and Healing. We uphold the dignity, mana, and wellbeing of all people and their whānau, recognising the transformative power of compassionate care.

Mōu | About you

You are a Mental Health RN who aligns strongly with our kaupapa and can demonstrate this through your application. You are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care and either bring prison mental health experience or have a genuine desire to develop specialist skills in this challenging and rewarding setting.

Essential

• Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a valid Annual Practising Certificate, with scope enabling practice as a Mental Health RN
• Proven experience in trauma-informed care
• Experience working with individuals experiencing acute and complex mental health and/or addiction issues
• Strong cultural competence, including an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in healthcare
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with Māori, whānau, and iwi
• Sound knowledge of the professional, ethical, and legislative requirements for providing mental health care in a prison context

Desired

• Acute mental health setting experience
• Forensic mental health experience
• Post-graduate qualification in Mental Health

You are a strong communicator, an effective problem-solver, and someone who thrives on challenges. Ideally, you have completed a new graduate programme in mental health or have prior experience in a mental health setting and are willing to commit to completing a post-graduate qualification. Previous training in modalities such as ACT or DBT would be a valuable bonus. Most importantly, you are ready to make a difference.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The full salary range is $75,773 - $106,739. Appointment and remuneration will reflect clinical competency, skills, and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and addressing the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

 Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered. When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department, highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close Sunday 31st August 2025

If you would like to learn more about the role or our site, please feel free to contact Jiajia Chen at jiajia.chen@corrections.govt.nz. If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.