Earlier Mental Health Response Clinician - Crisis Team

Company Description

To tatou tikanga | Our Culture

Our kaimahi (employees) are passionate people, committed to improving health and social outcomes for communities across Aotearoa, especially for those experiencing inequity. We are focused on building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and brings a deep understanding of local needs, cultures and experiences. At Whakarongorau Aotearoa (Whakarongorau), our commitment to mana taurite begins with understanding ourselves - how we think, behave and show up each day as health professionals serving the people of Aotearoa.

Ko wai mātou | About us

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.

Job 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 - About the role

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, and guide callers toward safe and effective next steps based on the application of a validated clinical triage tool. You’ll collaborate closely with crisis teams and external partners, ensure accurate documentation, and 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.

Ngā haepapa matua | Key responsibilities

• Efficiently deliver high‑quality mental health telephone triage applying the UK triage tool, deescalation interventions and support planning for callers, ensuring safety, dignity and cultural responsiveness.
• Build rapport quickly with service users and whānau, working collaboratively to create effective support plans and referrals.
• Work closely with Police, Ambulance, crisis teams and other frontline partners to ensure seamless handover, communication and outcomes applying the ISBAR model
• Maintain accurate, professional documentation in line with regulatory and organisational standards. Ensure that consult documents reach the correct clinical team quickly, to support continuity of care. 
• Use clinical guidelines, decision‑support tools and technology effectively to support safe clinical practice, including acting as shift coordinator when required.

Ngā hua mōu | What's in it for you

• 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.

To matou tukanga tono | Application Process

While our official start date for this role is 25 January 2027, we are commencing our search now to ensure we find the best candidates. We encourage interested applicants to apply early. Please note that due to the advanced timeline, there may be a delay in our initial response. However, rest assured that all applications will be thoroughly reviewed, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Qualifications

Mōu ake | About you

You’re a calm, confident and compassionate clinician with strong assessment skills and the ability to think clearly under pressure. You have good crisis mental health experience and can build trust quickly, communicate effectively, and support people in crisis experiencing distress with respect, cultural safety and professionalism.

You value teamwork as much as autonomy, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and bring both empathy and clinical rigor to every interaction. You embrace Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in your practice and are committed to improving equity for Māori and priority communities.

Ōu wheako ōu mātauranga hoki | Qualifications and experience

• 5+ years’ experience in working in an Acute Mental Health setting i.e. 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 the telephone and can use tools as part of this process
• Experience in working with suicide and risk, and can effectively undertake risk assessment and management
• Ideally have had DAO experience

Ōu āheitanga ōu pūkenga hoki - Skills and Competence

• Confident and competent using multiple IT systems, documenting accurately, managing workload responsibly, and engaging in reflective practice and supervision.
• Excellent clinical judgement in mental health triage, suicide risk assessment, intervention planning and telephone‑based support.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and deliver calm, recovery‑focused, person‑centred support to callers in distress.
• Able to work efficiently and with highly effective communication skills
• Strong cultural competence, with practical application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally safe practice.

If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply. 

Additional Information

Ō mātou uara | Our values

E kimi ana mātou i ētahi tangata e kaha whakanui i ēnei uara - We are looking for people who align naturally with these values and will champion them

• Mahia te mea tika / Do the right thing
• Hihiri e te kounga / Motivated by quality
• Ngākau nui ki te pai ake / Passion for better
• Pokohiwi ki Pokohiwi / Shoulder to shoulder