Health Improvement Practitioner

Role overview

Fresh Minds is seeking registered mental health professionals for an opportunity to join New Zealand’s primary care behavioural health workforce as a Health Improvement Practitioner. This position sits at the centre of primary care and focuses on helping people work toward their own health and wellbeing goals through brief, practical interventions. The role is part of the Te Tumu Waiora programme.

What makes this role meaningful

• A rewarding position centred on lifting the health and wellbeing of the local community, with particular focus on Māori, Pasifika, and young people.
• A relationship-based role embedded in a general practice setting and connected to a national rollout.
• Access to specialised training and continued mentoring from leading New Zealand trainers in Primary Care Behavioural Health and Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Programme context

The way mental health and wellbeing support is delivered in New Zealand is changing for the better. With the government backing the nationwide rollout of Te Tumu Waiora, the emphasis is on removing access barriers and bringing a “skills not pills” approach into primary care so people can better support their physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing.

Role details

This is a permanent part-time position at 0.4 FTE, equivalent to 16 hours per week, based at Onerahi Family Healthcare in Whangarei, Northland. The clinic is described as a diverse and forward-thinking practice that is committed to high-quality care for its community.

As a Health Improvement Practitioner, you will provide immediately available, evidence-based brief intervention talking therapies to individuals and whānau. Working from within the GP clinic, you will support enrolled patients with a wide range of concerns affecting wellbeing, including mood, sleep, relationships, anxiety, stress, and coping with a new diagnosis.

What you will do

• Deliver brief psychological interventions, with a strong focus on Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT), and run evidence-based group programmes for patients.
• Act as a new type of clinician within the clinic team by offering consultation, education, and practical advice to other general practice staff.
• Contribute to local population health work by helping design intervention pathways with GPs and nurses based on the needs of the clinic.

Candidate profile

You should be a fully registered mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, mental health nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, DAPAANZ-registered counsellor, or an NZAC counsellor with full membership and Te Whatu Ora accreditation. Recent experience using talking therapy approaches such as ACT, FACT, or CBT is required. The ideal candidate is self-directed, motivated, comfortable working in a team, and interested in a busy, varied general practice environment. Sensitivity and awareness when working across all cultures is also essential.

Benefits

• Work in a multidisciplinary environment alongside GPs and nurses, with a strong focus on access, equity, and quality of care.
• Receive a comprehensive training package, including classroom learning, on-site training, and ongoing mentoring, supervision, and professional development.
• Become part of a nationwide network of Health Improvement Practitioners with shared learning, education, and support.
• Enjoy a flexible work pattern, including school-hour friendly scheduling, at 0.4 FTE.

How to apply

Applicants must submit their applications online through the provided process. For a confidential discussion about the role, contact Lee at lee.jatho@procare.co.nz.

Important notes

Only people with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered. Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or resident. Agency enquiries are not wanted. ProCare states that it is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and providing a safe environment for people of all cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences.