HIP - Health Improvement Practitioner

Nau mai, Haere mai Haere mai ki te Fresh Minds hei painga mō ngā tangata

We are inviting registered mental health professionals to seize this exciting new career opportunity to become a Health Improvement Practitioner - and be part of New Zealand's primary care behavioural health workforce

You would be at the heart of primary care where your role is all about empowering people to reach their own health and wellbeing goals using brief interventions.

This role is part of the innovative programme, Te Tumu Waiora.

• Exciting and fulfilling role - focused on improving the health and wellbeing of our community, especially Māori, Pasifika, and youth
• Relationship-centred - Integrated within a general practice clinic and connected to a national rollout
• Specialised training and ongoing mentoring from New Zealand's leading trainers in Primary Care Behavioural Health and focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

The way in which we support the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealander's is evolving and changing; for the better. With the government's commitment to the national rollout of the Te Tumu Waiora programme, a huge emphasis is placed on reducing barriers to accessing services and to embedding a 'skills not pills' approach within primary care - empowering people to lead their own physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing.

The role:

This role is a permanent part-time 0.4fte/16 hrs per week position based at Onerahi Family Healthcare, Whangarei. The practice is a diverse and innovative centre, passionate about delivering quality care to their community. 

The Health Improvement Practitioner is a generalist, providing immediately accessible, evidence-based brief intervention talking therapies to individuals and whānau. From within the GP clinic, you will help enrolled patients with any issue affecting their wellbeing (mood, sleep, relationships, anxiety, stress, dealing with a new diagnosis - the list goes on).  

You will be part of both ageneral practice team and a team of supportive Fresh Minds Health Improvement Practitioners. Working within a friendly, dynamic, and patient-centred team, you will be delivering the following services:

• Providing brief psychological interventions, particularly Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT), to patients and delivering evidence-based group programmes to patients
• As a new type of clinician joining the clinic team, providing consultation, education, and advice to other members of the General Practice team
• Supporting local population health by developing intervention pathways alongside GPs and nurses, and based on clinic's needs

You:

• You will need to be a fully registered mental health professional - specifically either a psychologist, psychotherapist, mental health nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, DAPAANZ registered Counsellor or NZAC Counsellor with full membership and Te Whatu Ora Accreditation.
• Are self-motivated and independent, and enjoy working as part of a team dedicated to improving people's health and wellbeing
• Want to work in the fast-paced and varied environment of a General Practice
• Have some training in talking therapies such as ACT, FACT or CBT
• Have an understanding and sensitivity to working with all cultures

Benefits:

• Work alongside GP's, nurses, within a multi-disciplinary framework focused on increasing access, equity and quality of care
• An extensive full training programme is provided, including classroom-based and on-site training, plus ongoing mentoring, supervision, and professional development opportunities
• Join a nationwide network of HIP's, sharing knowledge, education, and support

How to apply?

If this sounds like something you are looking for, please hit the "apply" button and complete the registration process via the link.

Please note that email applications will not be accepted; you need to apply online. If you would like to find out more details about the role, reach out to Lee at  

Please note: Our offices will close on Friday, 19 December, and reopen on 7 January

• Any new applications received after December 19 will be reviewed once we return in the week following January 7, 2026.

Only individuals with working rights in New Zealand will be considered for the selection process; you will need to be a Citizen or Resident.

Please, no agency enquiries

ProCare is an equal-opportunity employer, dedicated to diversity hiring and providing a safe space to people of all cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences.