Mental Health Assistant, Ward 21 Inpatient Service

**Location: Palmerston North Hospital, Permanent Full Time and Casual**
**Why MidCentral?**

Join a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisation committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

**Benefits include**:

- A professional, supportive, and inclusive team environment
- Tailored wellness programmes
- An encouraging learning culture to help you grow
- A brand new, purpose-built mental health facility
- Great lifestyle options in the scenic Manawatū region

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**

We are looking for enthusiastic **Mental Health Assistants** to join our **Acute Care Mental Health Inpatient Unit (Ward 21)**.

**Opportunities available**:

- **Casual** position working on an as and when required basis (no set hours) to cover rostered, rotating duties.
- **Full time** position working 40 hours a week, rostered, rotating duties.

**About Ward 21 and the Team**

This is your chance to be part of a team delivering **recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and innovative mental health care** in a facility that values meaningful therapeutic engagement.

We're moving into a **new, purpose-built mental health facility** that prioritises open, non-restrictive models of care, designed to:

- Enhance staff and service user wellbeing
- Support best-practice care
- Provide therapeutic spaces to foster recovery

**About the Team/Service**

Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees. We actively seek Māori kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

MidCentral region offers an excellent lifestyle for families with scenic spots for hiking and mountain-biking, great schools and tertiary institutions. With the mountains, city and sea at your doorstep, you'll get to taste the best of both worlds - the perfect blend of rural and city living.

**About the Location - Why Choose Manawatū?**

**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.

For more information on living and working in the Manawatu click here

**About You**

We are seeking applicants who are:

- Passionate about mental health and recovery-focused care
- Experienced in mental health support work
- NZQA Health and Wellbeing Level 3 certified (or equivalent) - preferred
- Strong communicators and critical thinkers
- Motivated, reliable, and team-focused
- Culturally responsive and consumer-focused

**Join Us**

If you're ready to make a real difference in mental health care and want to be part of a dynamic and supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

**Working at Health New Zealand**

**How to Apply**

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.