Kairuruku Hinengaro - Māori Mental Health Practitioner - Rimutaka Prison

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Ngā kawenga | About the role

In line with Ara Poutama's dedication to transformative change, we are actively seeking to expand our team of Kairuruku Hinengaro - Māori Mental Health Practitioners across various locations nationwide. As a Kairuruku, you will hold a crucial position within our Mental Health team, collaborating closely with the Intervention and Support Practice team. This team is committed to delivering top-tier mental health support and treatment to the most vulnerable individuals under our care. Your role within this multidisciplinary framework will involve providing culturally sensitive support services aimed at enhancing the mental health and well-being of those in our care.

Central to your responsibilities will be the assessment of the holistic oranga needs of our clients, considering their whakapapa, hinengaro, wairua, and overall well-being. You'll manage caseloads effectively, conduct cultural triage, assessments, and implement evidence-informed treatments in alignment with mana whenua best practices. Additionally, you'll offer cultural support, guidance, and coordination of Māori initiatives and operations to bolster the well-being of our clients.

This role is ideal for a Kairuruku who demonstrates a firm dedication to mentoring culturally safe practices and fostering partnerships. Leveraging your expertise in te reo Māori, tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and rongoā Māori, you'll enhance the efficacy of services provided to our clients. Our teams are deeply committed to exemplifying expert practice and upholding the principles of Hokai Rangi, Humanising, and Healing, which prioritise the respect for the human dignity and inherent mana of all individuals under our care and their whānau.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We are seeking applications from individuals deeply aligned with our kaupapa who can demonstrate their suitability through a comprehensive cover letter addressing the following requirements:

Experience and proficiency in te reo Māori and its associated tikanga, a solid foundation in Mātauranga Māori, profound comprehension of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its implications for health, well-being, and equity, insight into the profound impact of colonisation on health and well-being, familiarity with indigenous methodologies and health frameworks, proven track record of effective collaboration within a kaupapa Māori framework, with a commitment to continuous personal growth in this domain.

You will have extensive understanding of mental health from a holistic perspective, previous experience in addressing acute and complex mental health and/or addiction challenges, familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and hands-on experience with individuals who have undergone complex trauma, strong facilitation, and negotiation skills in both one-on-one and group settings.

You will have a sound working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, awareness of the National Mental Health Sector Standards, outstanding verbal, and written communication abilities, capable of articulating technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and the capacity to handle sensitive information with utmost confidentiality.

Qualifications required include a relevant tertiary qualification, with preference given to those who have completed a Level 4 or higher Mental Health or Community Support qualification.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The full salary range is $68,546 - $88,648. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Health Services lead the delivery of patient-focused primary health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa. Hōkai Rangi, our over-arching strategic direction, places the focus on health at the heart of our business. Building our frameworks from a Mātauranga Māori basis is our focus to drive and support equity for Māori, which in turn will contribute to achieving our outcomes of reducing reoffending.

You can find out more about us here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Applications Close 11pm Sunday, 1 September 2024.

Please apply and describe your motivation for joining the department in a cover letter, highlighting relevant skills and experience. Please include a tailored CV if you have one. Alignment to our Kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples that reflect and demonstrate our organisation values.

Ara Poutama Aotearoa values diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce which reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair and inclusive, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.