Te āheinga – The opportunity

Reporting to the Service Delivery Manager, this pivotal role is based at Te Pou Oranga o Te Whakatōhea Social and Health Services. As the AOD Clinical Lead, you will provide clinical leadership, professional oversight and direct addiction services that support positive recovery outcomes for tangata whaiora and whānau.

 

Working across both residential and community services, you will lead and strengthen clinical practice within Te Pou Oranga Whaiora, providing guidance and support to the multidisciplinary team in collaboration with the RN Clinical Lead, Practice Manager and Service Delivery Manager. You will champion safe, high-quality, culturally responsive care that aligns with the Pou Oranga Whaiora Model of Care, kaupapa Māori principles, trauma-informed practice and harm reduction approaches.

 

This role combines clinical expertise with leadership, workforce development and service improvement, ensuring excellence in clinical decision-making, care planning, risk management and continuity of care. You will also work alongside the Eastern Bay Iwi Provider Alliance, including Tūwharetoa ki Kāwerau, Tūhoe Hauora and Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa, delivering integrated, whānau-centred solutions that support healing, recovery, and long-term wellbeing across our rohe.

 

Ngā kawenga me ngā mahi – Key responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight of AOD clinical practice, ensuring alignment with the POU Model of Care, kaupapa Māori principles and relevant standards.

• Lead and support clinical staff through supervision, coaching, reflective practice, and professional development.

• Provide clinical oversight of complex presentations, including assessment, risk management, care planning, and therapeutic interventions.

• Monitor clinical practice, documentation, and service quality; identify gaps and implement corrective actions.

• Contribute to clinical governance, service development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Facilitate whānau-centred and integrated care, supporting effective referral, care coordination, and recovery pathways.

• Work collaboratively with Eastern Bay Iwi Provider Alliance partners, health providers, and other agencies to support coordinated care.

• Provide clinical leadership during critical incidents, ensuring appropriate risk management, escalation, and follow-up.

• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to funder reporting, audits, and contractual requirements.

• Embed tikanga, mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori principles across clinical practice and team culture.

 

Ngā wheako me ngā pūkenga – Experience & skills required

• Relevant clinical qualification in Addiction Studies, Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or a related field, with current professional registration or DAPAANZ accreditation relevant to scope of practice.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in AOD, mental health, health, or social service settings, including experience with complex presentations and clinical leadership.

• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision, assessment, risk management, care planning, and therapeutic intervention.

• Strong knowledge and application of harm reduction, recovery-focused and trauma-informed practice.

• Strong understanding of kaupapa Māori, Te Ao Māori and whānau-centred approaches to wellbeing and recovery.

• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary, alliance and community-based service environments.

• Competent in clinical/client management systems and Microsoft Office 365; familiarity with Ara Whanui or similar is an advantage.

• Full and clean NZ driver’s licence to support outreach and interagency collaboration across the rohe.

If you’re ready to lead with heart and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your expression of interest to peopleandculture@whakatohea.co.nz

 

Visit us at: https://www.whakatohea.co.nz

 

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.