Intern Psychologist - MHAIDS

About the role

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is recruiting intern psychologists for its Psychology Intern Programme in 2027, based at the Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS) for the CCHV and Wairarapa Districts. The internship is full time (1.0 FTE) and is aimed at students in their final year of a tertiary specialist or clinical psychology programme who are on the path to becoming registered psychologists.

Interns work in a variety of clinical settings, including inpatient, community, adult, forensic rehabilitation, younger persons (child and family), specialist Māori and Pasifika services, and are placed across a wide range of services so that child and adult opportunities match their qualification requirements. They work in a multidisciplinary team assessing and working with people with coexisting mental health and addiction issues.

Key responsibilities

• Assess and work with people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, including coexisting conditions
• Develop skills in assessment, psychological formulation and interventions
• Receive clinical supervision and mentoring
• Work alongside a dedicated Psychology Intern Coordinator, peer support with other interns and professional support from Clinical Psychologists

Required profile

• Enrolled in a NZ psychology board registered tertiary course (e.g. clinical psychology); Counselling Psychology Interns at AUT, Whakahāngai Mātai Hinengaro Hauora at Victoria University of Wellington, the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice at Massey University and the Health Psychology Intern at the University of Auckland are also considered
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, currently working on a Masters or PhD/DClin Psy in applied psychology (e.g. clinical or child and family)
• Completed research and ready to start in 2027
• Commitment to stay and work in the Wellington region after qualification and internship (preferred)
• Solid understanding of mental health, addiction, physical health and social issues affecting people, their whānau and the community
• Proven academic and clinical track record as a psychology student

What we offer

• Clinical supervision and mentoring
• A range of clinical placements across MHAIDS services
• Pastoral and clinical support from the Psychology Intern Coordinator
• Peer support with other interns and professional support from Clinical Psychologists
• A record of supporting interns into permanent employment at the end of their internship year

Applications are made through the online careers portal; applications are reviewed as received and may be processed before the closing date.