Addictions Counsellor/Registered Nurse - Opioid Substitution Treatment team

• Addictions Counsellor / Registered Nurse - Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier’s Hospital
• Permanent, Part - Time, 64 hours per fortnight (0.8 FTE)
• A meaningful opportunity to support people on their recovery journey while delivering specialist addiction care within a multidisciplinary team.

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

As an Addictions Counsellor / Registered Nurse - Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST), you will deliver recovery ‑ oriented, harm reduction care to people experiencing opioid dependence.

You will provide assessment, stabilisation and ongoing support for tangata whaiora across all phases of OST, combining clinical interventions with a broader range of recovery supports. This includes monitoring physical and mental health, supporting safe medication management, identifying risks such as withdrawal or overdose, and delivering education to patients and whānau.

You’ll play a key role in coordinating care across the multidisciplinary team - working closely with prescribers, pharmacists, peer support, and community services to ensure continuity, safety and positive outcomes. You will also support engagement and retention in treatment programmes, contribute to quality improvement activities, and maintain accurate clinical documentation and registers.

This role is ideal for a clinician who values holistic care, equity and working alongside people to support long‑term recovery.

Please click here to view the position description

About the Team/Service/ Location

You will be part of the Mental Health and Addictions Service at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldier Memorial Hospital, working within the Opioid Substitution Treatment team.

The service works collaboratively with community providers, pharmacies, primary care and peer support services to deliver integrated, patient ‑ centred care. The team is focused on achieving equitable outcomes and supporting whānau through recovery in a culturally responsive way.

For more information on living and working in Hawke’s Bay click HERE

About you

You are an experienced and compassionate clinician with a strong interest in addiction and recovery‑focused care. You will have:

• Registration in a relevant discipline (Registered Nurse, Social Worker or DAPAANZ Registered Practitioner) with a current Annual Practising Certificate
• At least 2 years’ experience working in addiction services
• Postgraduate qualification in addictions, mental health or a related field
• Experience and knowledge of opioid substitution treatment (OST)
• Strong understanding of recovery ‑ oriented and harm reduction approaches
• Excellent assessment, communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• A full NZ driver licence
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equitable health outcomes

Desired:

• Experience working in community‑based addiction services
• Knowledge of co ‑ existing mental health conditions
• DAPAANZ registration

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 20th July 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alister Mains - Alister.Mains@hbdhb.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

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