Social Worker – Older Persons Mental Health (Community)

Location:   Based at Hutt Hospital – working in community

Contract: Permanent, Full time 

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, whānau-centred care, and excellence. 

About the Role 

Are you a registered experienced Social Worker with outstanding relationship management skills?

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable older adults?

Do you have experience working in health?

If so, then this is an exciting opportunity to join our cohesive, dedicated and supportive multidisciplinary older person’s mental health team, based in Lower Hutt. You will work primarily with community outpatients, but will also support those who are admitted to the older persons ward for a period of assessment and treatment.  Your clients will be those over the age of 65 who present with mental illness or behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. This role requires outstanding relationship management skills and the ability to manage complex psychosocial presentations.  This is a patient centred role suitable for an experienced and passionate health social worker who has a good understanding of complex elderly, patient rights, and the legal frameworks which apply to vulnerable adults and community work we are keen to hear from you. 

We are looking for someone who has strong problem solving skills, works well as part of a team, can communicate well with a wide range of people, and has experience working in health and with older people and their whanau. 

About the Team/Service Location 

The Social Worker is an integral and valued member of a highly functioning and experienced multidisciplinary mental health specialist team. The social worker will work both individually and alongside their team colleagues with service users and the family/whanau. The team works alongside the Geriatric service and has strong links with regional psychogeriatric and adult mental health services. The team aims to work collaboratively with other services to meet the person’s needs. 

We can offer you a friendly, supportive team environment, regular supervision and in-service training as well as the opportunity to be involved in service development projects.

About you 

You will be an experienced registered social worker with at least 5 years of recent work experience and at least two years working in health. Whilst knowledge of functional mental illness, dementia and case management is helpful and preferred, the right candidate will be supported to develop this.

You will bring experience and understanding of the following:

• Supporting older people with complex physical, social and mental health needs.
• Working within a multidisciplinary health environment
• Working autonomously and managing risk in the community
• Cognitive impairment, capacity and legal frameworks
• Psychosocial assessment and case management
• Supporting whanau who may be experiencing stress and experiencing difficulty navigating complex systems.

The successful applicant will have the following:

• New Zealand Registered Social Worker with current practising certificate.
• Minimum of five years social work experience in a related or similar service. At least two in health.
• Strong understanding and experience working the Protection of Persons and Property Rights Act (1988).
• Outstanding relationship management and networking skills.
• A can-do attitude and experienced in managing complex psychosocial presentations
• A great team player but able to confidently work with a high degree of autonomy 
• Motivation to engage in mentoring and professional development in working in this area of specialty of older adult mental health (Psychogeriatrics).
• A full New Zealand driver’s licence

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 Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community. 

How to Apply 

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 26 October. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Philip.Adamson@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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