Team Leader - Mental Health Acute Alternative Services
Team Leader/Clinician, Acute Alternative Services
Community Mental Health & Addiction Services, Rotorua
Permanent Full Time (Monday to Friday)
Lead Change. Transform Care. Make a Difference.
Are you ready to lead at the forefront of innovative, community-based mental health care? Te Toki Haumanu is redefining how acute mental health & addiction services (MHAS) are delivered—bringing care closer to home, simplifying access, and placing people and whānau at the heart of every decision. Guided by Te Ara Tauwhirotanga, our Model of Care, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence meaningful change: enhancing patient journeys, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving continuous improvement to achieve better outcomes for tāngata whaiora and their whānau.
Step into a pivotal leadership position, as Team Leader/Clinician where you will shape service delivery across multiple specialist teams, champion equitable and culturally responsive care, and directly contribute to a system that is more accessible, holistic, and recovery-focused.
Benefits – what’s in it for you
Be part of a service transformation that values innovation, collaboration, and community voice, while enjoying strong professional support, leadership development opportunities, and the ability to truly make a difference every day.
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 the Team Leader, Acute Alternative Services, you will work in conjunction with the Adult Community MHAS Clinical Nurse Manager to coordinate and lead a collaborative interdisciplinary team that enhances patient-centred care. You will oversee the day-to-day management of staff and resources while providing operational support and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality clinical services across the care continuum.
This role blends leadership with clinical practice. You will hold a proportionate clinical caseload, within Triage and Brief Intervention, while also coordinating six key service areas: Triage & Brief Intervention, Closer to Home Acute Alternatives, Primary Liaison & Integration, SBIRT, Mental Health Clinical Nurse Educator in ED, and Hospital Consult Liaison services. You will drive continuous quality improvement, strengthen service integration, and enable flexible, community-based care aligned with best practice and recovery-focused principles.
About the Team/Service/Location
Te Toki Haumanu, Closer to Home services, is a cornerstone of Te Ara Tauwhirotanga and delivers innovative, two-tiered community-based acute mental health care designed to reduce hospital admissions and support recovery within the community. The service is multidisciplinary, collaborative, and focused on providing accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive care.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Lakes provides healthcare from its two modern and progressive general hospitals in Rotorua and Taupo, New Zealand. The Lakes district is becoming the lifestyle destination of choice and is well known for its many outdoor recreational activities, family friendly beaches, and a growing multi-cultural community. Working at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Lakes provides a great opportunity to balance an amazing lifestyle with a rewarding professional experience.
As well as a supportive, inclusive and diverse work environment, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Lakes offer competitive salary, free staff parking, free flu vaccination, discounts (with local businesses), and access to Employee Assistance Program.
For more information on living and working in Rotorua and Taupo click here
About you
As a Team Leader, you will bring strong clinical leadership, a passion for community mental health, and a commitment to delivering equitable, person-centred care:
- Relevant professional qualification and current registration (e.g., Nursing, Allied Health) with a current APC
- Proven leadership experience with minimum 2 years in an acute mental health and addiction service
- Strong understanding of interdisciplinary practice and community-based models of care
- Experience in service coordination, quality improvement, and workforce management
- Commitment to culturally responsive care and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Click here for Position Description
Click here for Collective Agreement (if applicable)
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 before end of posting date. If you have any questions about the role, please contact vacancy@lakesdhb.govt.nz
The selection process starts from the date of advertising. Due to the fast-paced nature of our roles, the vacancy close date may be subject to change.
