Clinical Psychologist (Intellectual Disability)

Mo tenei turanga mahi| About this role

Location : Porirua

Contract : Permanent, Full Time & Part Time (Please state your preference on your cover letter)

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're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whanau-centred care, and excellence.

About the role

The Intellectual Disability Forensic Service is looking for Clinical Psychologists to join the inpatient services. You would be working across our Regional and National Intellectual Disability Secure Services which comprises two regional and two national services :

Haumietiketike is a regional intellectual disability adult secure forensic unit which has 11 beds.

The Step-Down Rehabilitative Cottages for adults which comprises two separate buildings each with four beds.

Hikitia Te Wairua is the National intellectual disability secure forensic unit for young people. This building is co-located with the Rangatahi (Youth Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit) and Nga Taiohi (National Secure Youth Forensic Unit) at Kenepuru Hospital.

Manawai is a National facility for adults with an intellectual disability and / or mental illness who have conditions of such severity that they have been subject to long-term hospital level care compromising their quality of life.

You will be part of a supportive and experienced multi-disciplinary team that provides specialist care to people with intellectual disability within secure services. Your areas of professional interest will be fostered and your expertise in psychological assessment and formulation, individual and group treatment welcomed.

You will be a valued and active member of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). In your role you will work collaboratively with other health professionals to design and deliver evidence based care and rehabilitation consistent with the Model of Care. The Model of Care is based on psychological theory and frameworks including but not limited to The Good Lives Model of Offender Rehabilitation and Positive Behaviour Support.

In addition to your direct clinical work you will be given many opportunities to contribute to service improvement work. The Intellectual Disability Service is growing and the direction of travel very much welcomes psychological knowledge, theory and process.

The successful applicant will also be supported by the broader MHAIDS network of clinical psychologists.

About the Team / Service / Location

The Forensic Intellectual Disability Service is part of the Mental Health Addiction and Intellectual Disability Services. The service has adult, youth and community services.

The Intellectual Disability Secure Service is a dynamic and supportive workplace where autonomous practice, research, professional development is supported.

You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals committed to the delivery of gold standard care and rehabilitation to the population we serve. The team carry a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a number of areas relevant to intellectual disability, mental health, and behaviours that challenge.

About you

You will have completed a post graduate diploma in clinical psychology (or equivalent) and hold a Masters or Doctoral level degree in Psychology.

You will hold an annual practicing certificate, registered with the clinical scope of practice.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations. We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Maori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

How to Apply

If applying from abroad please check your eligibility for NZPB registration and state the outcome on your cover letter in your application.

To apply please click 'apply now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 5th October. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

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