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Posted 01 August, 2026

Social Worker

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora - Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral
Whanganui, MWT, NZ Full Time
Reference: faf69ec875b1152e

Job Description

Social Worker – Crisis Resolution Service (CRS) Mental Health & Addictions Services Palmerston North Hospital Permanent – Full time 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 Are you an experienced Social Worker with a passion for supporting people through times of crisis? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Crisis Resolution Service (CRS) within the Mental Health & Addictions Service in Palmerston North. Working alongside a skilled multidisciplinary team, you will bring a strong social work perspective to the assessment and care of tangata whaiora experiencing acute mental health crises. Your expertise will contribute to comprehensive assessments, collaborative clinical decision-making, and positive outcomes for tangata whaiora and their whānau. In this role, you will: Undertake comprehensive psychosocial, mental health and risk assessments. Provide specialist social work input during crisis assessments and multidisciplinary team discussions. Support tangata whaiora and their whānau to access appropriate community resources and services. Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Emergency Department, Police, and the Mental Health Inpatient Unit. Advocate for tangata whaiora and contribute to recovery-focused, person-centred care About you To be successful in this role, you will have: Registration with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board and a current Annual Practising Certificate. Ideally, at least five years' experience working within a mental health setting. Well-developed assessment, risk assessment and crisis intervention skills. Excellent communication, relationship-building and collaborative practice skills. Current Duly Authorised Officer (DAO) status under the Mental Health Act, or a willingness to work towards becoming authorised. If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference for people experiencing mental health crises, we'd love to hear from you. About the Location Manawatū is known for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. It's a family-friendly place that's easy to live and work, with easy access to an array of outdoor activities – beaches, ski fields, lakes, mountains, as well as fantastic mountain biking and hiking tracks. No traffic and an easy commute to work, really help a with true work-life balance. Our fantastic central location means exploring other parts of New Zealand is easy as a drive or a short flight. We are well served with excellent schooling options, as well as two tertiary institutes – Massey University and the International Pacific College. Discover more hidden gems that Manawatū and Palmerston North have to offer here:Manawatū & Palmerston North - Visit | Live | Study | Business (manawatunz.co.nz). Check out ourcareers sitehere for more information about Palmerston North hospital. We actively encourage a life work balance and appreciate flexibility can be important, so we are open to discuss options! 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. Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible so may withdraw the advert if the perfect candidate is found before the expiry date. We strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We aim to develop a diverse team that reflects the communities that we serve, and we welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. MidCentral actively seeks Māori into our workforce to reflect the community we serve. Some positions are defined as a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act and require full safety checks completed before employment commences. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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