[Hiring] Earlier Mental Health Response Clinician @Whakarongorau Aotearoa

Role Description

Are you an experienced registered Mental Health Clinician looking for a change in 2027? We have just the job!

Utilise your skills from the comfort of your own space, no more travel time, no more rush hour traffic and transport costs. This is the perfect work life balance opportunity for you!

We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for the role of Earlier Mental Health Response Clinician at Whakarongorau Aotearoa. As we prepare for our next intake in January 2027, we are seeking enthusiastic and qualified candidates to join our dynamic team.

Mō tēnei tūranga

As an Earlier Mental Health Response Clinician, you’ll be the first point of professional support for people experiencing mental distress, including referrals from Police, Ambulance, crisis mental health support requests and frontline workers seeking expert advice. You’ll use your clinical crisis mental health expertise to:

• Efficiently triage calls, assess risk and mental health.
• Provide immediate, culturally responsive support.
• Guide callers toward safe and effective next steps based on the application of a validated clinical triage tool.
• Collaborate closely with crisis teams and external partners.
• Ensure accurate documentation.
• May step into shift coordination as your confidence grows.

This is impactful, fast‑paced mahi where your skills directly support the immediate mental wellbeing and safety of individuals and whānau across Aotearoa.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in working in an Acute Mental Health setting (e.g., Crisis Team, liaison Psychiatry, Community MH, In-patient Mental Health or Triage team).
• Registered with the NZ Professional Registration Board & hold a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Experience of delivering triage and interventions within mental health settings via telephone.
• Experience in working with suicide and risk, and can effectively undertake risk assessment and management.
• Ideally have had DAO experience.

Requirements

• Calm, confident and compassionate clinician with strong assessment skills.
• Good crisis mental health experience.
• Ability to build trust quickly and communicate effectively.
• Support people in crisis with respect, cultural safety and professionalism.
• Value teamwork as much as autonomy.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Embrace Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice.
• Committed to improving equity for Māori and priority communities.

Benefits

• A supportive, values‑led team that embraces collaboration, reflection and continuous improvement.
• Work from the comfort of home - No commute, more balance, and the freedom to bring your best self to each shift.
• Be part of a collaborative team working towards better health outcomes for all of Aotearoa.
• Access exclusive discounts with Boost and Samsung.
• Purchase up to two extra weeks of leave, giving you more time for rest, whānau, adventures, or whatever fills your cup.

Company Description

Whakarongorau is a social enterprise and virtual health and social services organisation, connecting people with care when they need it. We provide consistent, clinically supported access to health and social support, particularly when in-person services are not available or when location, time of day, cost or cultural needs create barriers. Our role is to make care easier to access, more connected and responsive for people across Aotearoa.