JOB DESCRIPTION
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Service
Position Title:
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Organisation Unit:
Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Service
Location:
Whangarei, Northland District Health Board (NDHB)
Responsible to:
Team Manager, Te Roopu Kimiora (Whangarei), NDHB
Primary Functions of
the Position:
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Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
To provide a high standard of clinical psychology
practice and expertise, contributing to the provision
of efficient and effective service within the Infant &
Perinatal service
To provide psychology input into the multidisciplinary team in an effective and cooperative
manner.
To work as a key member of the multi-disciplinary
team providing assessment, treatment and
consultation, taking account of psychosocial issues
relevant to the developmental and context of the
infant within the developing relationship in the
whanau and of referred pregnant women up to one
year postpartum or primary caregivers and infants.
Liaise with NDHB services, community agencies
and other infant specific organisations maternal
services, adult mental health services, child
development services, community agencies,
general practitioners and other primary health and
government services.
Participate as an effective team member in the
development and functioning of the Perinatal &
infant mental health Service of Northland Health,
with a commitment to bi cultural health delivery,
ongoing education, and innovative practice.
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Functional Relationships
Develops and maintains excellent relationships with:
Internal
External
Team Members
Child Health, and Community Mental
Health and A&D Services
Maternal Health Services
Professional Discipline and peers
Other allied health professionals
Clinical Director, Mental Health and
A&D Services
Group Service Manager & other the
management team of Mental Health and
A&D Services.
Psychology Professional Advisor
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Lead Maternity Carers
Plunket
Family Start
Iwi Providers
CYFS
Early Child Care Providers
PHO services
Community agencies
Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will
respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following
Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with
NDHB:
Values
Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence,
confidence and innovation
The position of Clinical/Registered Psychologist encompasses the following
major functions or key result areas:
• In conjunction with colleagues and families facilitate access to comprehensive and
developmentally appropriate bio- psychosocial assessment mothers, infants and
families.
• Ensure that knowledge and skills development is ongoing and up to date with
current trends, best practice principles and aligned with the National Mental Health
Standards.
• Management and Functioning of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service.
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
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• To provide a quality consumer focused service in partnership with consumers,
whanau, hapu and iwi, based on the best practice principles.
• Quality of Service.
• Treaty of Waitangi.
• Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined
below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
In conjunction with
colleagues and families
facilitate access to
comprehensive and
developmentally
appropriate biopsychosocial
assessment for
mothers, infants and
families.
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Update skills and
knowledge base
constantly, in
conjunction with the
team and with
associated individuals,
by becoming familiar
with up-to-date
research, Perinatal &
infant work practice and
other established
models of care.
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Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
Maintain a high standard of professional care in
accordance with the standards set by the New Zealand
Psychologists Board and the policies of NDHB.
Conduct comprehensive assessments and utilise
standardised psychological assessment techniques as
appropriate.
Define characteristics of perinatal/infant mental health
care access for mothers, infants and family, in
association with all aspects of professional role.
In conjunction with the team, help provide the coordination needed to redirect mothers, infants and
family if inappropriately referred, or facilitate
assessment if indicated.
Collect and document information consistently and
systematically, defining confidentiality from the outset
and maintaining a safe pathway of care for mothers,
infants and family throughout their contact with the
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service.
Liaise and consult with other team members and
persons identified as having functional roles, thereby
facilitating a safe pathway of care for referred mothers,
infants and family.
Ensure that assessment and treatment occurs in a
timely and responsible manner and that all clinical
documentation is completed to the required standards.
Schedule time to update knowledge, including
attendance at relevant courses/seminars or
conferences and reading relevant literature.
Participate in regular clinical supervision with an
appropriately qualified and experienced Psychologist.
Establish links with other Perinatal & infant focused
organisations.
Develop individual plan of skill and knowledge up-date,
initially within six months, with regular evaluation of
process.
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Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Quality Assurance
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Participate in the team quality assurance process, in
accordance with the company policy of NDHB.
Ensure all documentation and processes are clear and
meet legislative, NDHB and Ministry of Health
requirements.
Participate in any relevant research projects.
Meet annually with the Team Manager to review and
evaluate performance issues and standards and to
plan future professional and personal development.
Provide statistical information for the monthly and
annual report
Ensure all documentation and processes are clear and
meet legislative, Northland Health and Ministry of
Health requirements.
Complete incident Reports appropriately to ensure that
safety issues are highlighted.
Contribute to Quality Continuum Plan, maintain quality
systems and participate in at least one quality project
annually.
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Management and
Functioning of The
Perinatal & infant
mental health service
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Work in conjunction with NDHB and with those
organizations/people identified as having key
functional roles with the Perinatal and Infant Mental
Health Service.
Attend and participate in team meetings, community
meetings, and NDHB forums in order to facilitate
development of the service.
Attend and contribute to meetings for Quality of
Service, Occupational Safety and Health, In-service
education and organizational training days as directed
by Team Manager.
Ensure that all concerns, complaints and issues are
brought to the attention of the Team Manager/Clinical
Head.
Carry out any other duties that may arise from time to
time as determined by the management of the Mental
Health and A&D Service.
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Treaty of Waitangi
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Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
Contribute to the promotion of the principles of the
Treaty of Waitangi and the involvement of Maori within
the decision making process for their health and
independence, within NDHB management processes
and procedures
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within
all aspects of the role and its outcomes.
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes
include appropriate mechanisms to meet the needs of
Maori in a culturally appropriate and safe manner.
Attend the NDHB Treaty of Waitangi Training.
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Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Health & Safety
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Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities
detailed in NDHB’s Health and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational,
cultural, ethical and legal safety.
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions
relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard
management
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health
and safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practising and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or
incidents
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Team Manager to meet any changing conditions.
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
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Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
 Registered with the NZ Psychologists
Desirable
 Registered in the Clinical Scope of
Board
Practice
Experience
Essential
 Working knowledge and commitment
Desirable
 A commitment to further professional
to Tikanga.
Working knowledge of key Perinatal
& infant mental health issues
Comprehensive psychosocial
assessment and psychological
treatment skills.
Networking skills.
Demonstrated ability to defuse or
intervene in a crisis situation.
A commitment to effective role
modelling for whanau, including
promoting a smoke free environment
and encouraging alternatives to other
health risk behaviours.
development, including tikanga.
ANZQA post graduate qualification in
Child & Adolescent Mental
Health/Perinatel & Infant mental
health
A working knowledge, and at least
two years’ experience of professional
practice in the area of Mental
Health/Psychiatry.
Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary health team.
Experience of working in a
community setting.
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Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
 The Treaty of Waitangi and all other
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legislation relevant to working in a
health setting.
Code of Ethics for Psychologists
working in NZ.
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
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Skills & Personal Attributes
Essential Skills
 Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
 Good time management
 Use of effective stress management techniques
 Culturally responsive
 A commitment to personal wellbeing
 Full driver’s license
Personal Attributes
 Sense of humour
 Honesty and Integrity
 Motivated, creative and flexible
Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date:
Clinical/Registered Psychologist
Te Roopu Kimiora
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