Community Outreach Clinician – Nursing & AOD
Rodger Wright Harm Reduction Network | Ōtautahi Christchurch
32 hours per week | Flexible working hours considered
Are you a Registered Nurse, AOD Clinician or health professional interested in community outreach, harm reduction and working with people who experience barriers to healthcare?
We're looking for a motivated and adaptable clinician to join our Rodger Wright Community Clinic team, working alongside Housing First Ōtautahi and our multidisciplinary team.
We welcome applications from Registered Nurses, AOD practitioners, mental health clinicians and other suitably qualified health professionals.
About Us
Rodger Wright Harm Reduction Network is a community-based harm reduction organisation working across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our kaupapa is centred on supporting the health, wellbeing and rights of people who use and inject drugs, and other communities in need. We work to reduce drug-related harm, remove stigma and provide non-judgemental access to healthcare informed by leading evidence-based practice.
Our mahi includes needle and syringe provision, drug checking, hepatitis C and HIV/STI testing and treatment, primary healthcare, community nursing, mental health and AOD support, and community and street outreach.
Harm reduction nursing is an important part of our work. Our nurses provide healthcare across clinical and community settings, taking a person-centred, trauma-informed approach that builds trust, respects people's choices and meets whānau where they are.
About the Role
Based within our Rodger Wright Community Clinic team, you'll work closely with Housing First Ōtautahi partners to provide healthcare and support to people experiencing homelessness, housing instability and complex health and social needs.
You'll work across community outreach, home visits and our Community Clinic, using your AOD and/or nursing skills in a flexible, supportive environment.
Your work will include:
Providing community-based AOD/nursing assessments, interventions and follow-up care.
Supporting people with mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) needs.
Working alongside Housing First kaimahi, peer workers and other health and social service providers.
Providing wound care, general health assessments, harm reduction equipment and advice, and health screening.
Supporting whaiora to access healthcare, specialist services and ongoing treatment.
Contributing to responsive, accessible community health services.
About You
We're looking for a clinician who values relationship-based care, enjoys working with people and is comfortable working outside traditional clinical settings.
You'll bring:
Current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a valid Annual Practising Certificate, or DAPAANZ registered.
A commitment to harm reduction, health equity, trauma-informed care and culturally safe practice.
An understanding of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, Māori models of health and wellbeing, including Te Whare Tapa Whā, and their application in nursing practice.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
A practical, flexible approach to community-based nursing.
A full NZ driver's license.
Experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial, but is not essential:
Community, primary healthcare or outreach nursing.
Mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.
Working with people experiencing homelessness or complex health and social needs.
Wound care, sexual health or blood-borne virus screening.
Māori health, kaupapa Māori services or working with underserved communities.
Motivational interviewing or health navigation.
You don't need to have worked in harm reduction before. We're interested in clinicians who bring relevant skills, an open mind and a genuine commitment to providing healthcare without judgement.
Why Join Us?
You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team of nurses, nurse practitioners, peer navigators and harm reduction workers.
We offer:
Varied nursing work across clinical and community outreach settings.
Opportunities to develop skills in harm reduction, AOD, mental health and primary healthcare.
A collaborative team environment with support from experienced clinicians and peer workers.
Professional development and clinical supervision.
The opportunity to contribute to an evolving model of community healthcare.
Looking for Something Different?
We're always interested in hearing from nurses or clinicians who are passionate about community health and harm reduction.
While this position is for 32 hours per week, we welcome expressions of interest from health professionals seeking part-time, flexible or future opportunities across our community health services.
Whether your background is in primary care, mental health, AOD or another area of nursing, if our kaupapa interests you, please get in touch. We're open to discussing arrangements with the right people.
For an informal conversation about the role or other nursing opportunities, please contact Vanessa Watson Love, Service Manager.
Email: vanessa @rwharmreduction.org.nz
We value diversity and recognise the importance of lived and living experience in harm reduction. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of drug use, mental health challenges and other experiences that bring valuable perspectives to our mahi.
"Ka kite i te tangata, ka whakanuia tōna mana; ka kitea te ara, ka puāwai te oranga."
When the person is seen, their dignity is uplifted; when the pathway is found, wellbeing flourishes.