• Christchurch
• Permanent, part-time or full-time (up to 1.0 FTE by negotiation)
• Bring your expertise in psychiatry and passion for older persons’ mental health to a team where you will make a real difference

We are seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist with experience and passion for Older Persons Mental Health to join our team in Christchurch.

About us

Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora leads the day-to-day running of our unified health system across Aotearoa, bringing together the functions of the former 20 District Health Boards into one national organisation with regional divisions and local district offices.

Here in Canterbury, we deliver health services to almost 700,000 people. We are deeply committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring that our partnerships with Māori are at the forefront of everything we do.

About the Team/Service/Location

The Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMH) provides assessment, treatment, and support to people aged 65 years and over across Canterbury. We work closely with Older Persons Health inpatient and community geriatric services, Adult Specialist Mental Health, primary care, and a wide range of community providers.

Our service includes:

• two purpose-built inpatient wards at Burwood Hospital
• a mental health day hospital
• a memory assessment clinic
• a large community mental health team
• an old age psychiatry consult liaison team.

You will join a dedicated service where ten psychiatrists lead interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care.

Living in Ōtautahi

Christchurch is a vibrant, family-friendly city with something for everyone. Imagine finishing work and within 20 minutes you can be surfing, skiing, hiking, or mountain biking! Our city is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, while the central city has a thriving arts, dining, and cultural scene.

With excellent schooling, universities, and affordable living, it’s no surprise many international specialists and their families choose Christchurch as home.

In this role you will:

• provide psychiatric assessment, consultation, and ongoing treatment
• contribute clinical leadership within an interdisciplinary team
• support bicultural service delivery in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• supervise and mentor medical staff, registrars, and trainees
• contribute to service development, research, and quality improvement
• undertake responsibilities under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
• work within a supportive peer-review and professional development framework.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Vocational registration (or eligibility) with the Medical Council of New Zealand as a Psychiatrist
• FRANZCP or an equivalent specialist qualification recognised by RANZCP
• Sub-specialty qualification in Psychiatry of Old Age or extensive experience in this field
• Recent experience at SMO level managing psychiatric patients

Desirable:

• Strong supervision, teaching, and mentoring skills
• Ability to balance a complex clinical workload
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Commitment to bicultural practice and culturally safe care

Our culture, what matters to us

At Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, we believe health is ultimately all about people.

We value:

• care and respect for others
• integrity in all we do
• responsibility for outcomes.

We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and flexible working arrangements. You’ll find a welcoming, supportive team environment with genuine opportunities for ongoing career development.

How to apply

To apply please click ‘apply now’. All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amy Walker, Recruitment Specialist amy.walker@tewhatuora.govt.nz

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

We only accept online applications. Please apply via our website.