Manager
What is a Mental Health Service Manager and what do they do?
A Mental Health Service Manager provides overall direction and management for their service. This can include the leadership of staff as well as other management duties within a service. Previous experience in clinical and/or leadership roles is required to become a Mental Health Service Manager.
For more information on what a Mental Health Service Manager does check out the following website links:
What do Child and Adolescent Mental Health and AOD Service Managers do?
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Manager leads services which are funded to provide services to infants, children, young people and their families/whanau.
Some of the things that Managers working in this field do are:
- ensure the Service meets the needs of children, young people and their families/whanau
- maintain the kaupapa and values of the service
- consult with iwi and other local groups to ensure services are culturally appropriate and meets community needs
- recruit staff
- manage and develop staff
- prepare, manage and review budgets
- ensure the service is meeting its' contractual requirements
- prepare applications to District Health Boards (DHBs) and the Ministry of Health for funding for new services
- meet with other mental health and general health providers, DHBs and other funders to explore ways of working together
- develop and review service policies and ensure they align with government health policy
- advocate for national and local policy and funding improvements to better meet the needs of children and young people using their service
What’s great about this job?
"I feel like I can make a difference in people's lives and I think, with the young people, it's starting much earlier than with adults...just a sense of hope that we can make some changes." Denise Giles, Care NZ, Hamilton
What personal qualities do you need?
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Manager needs to be:
- an approachable leader who can inspire others
- able to see the big picture – visionary and strategic in their thinking
- adaptable and open to new ideas
- responsible
- honest
- respectful of others
- values the opinions and input of others
- organised
- able to work well under pressure and stay focussed
Who could you work with?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Managers work alongside many different people. This includes; their own staff within their service, iwi and other cultural representatives, managers in related services, Ministry of Health and other national groups, and those funding the service.
What kinds of places could you work in?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Managers can work in both specialist DHB services which may be community or hospital based, or in NGO services which are based in the community.
How much could you expect to earn?
Salaries vary, but Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Managers usually earn between $55,000 and $75,000+ per year.
Are there any scholarships I can apply for to help with the cost of studying?
Yes! There are a number of scholarships that you may be able to apply for. Click here for details.
For information on where you can study to become a Mental Health Manager, how long it takes and what you should study at school click here for the Health Services Manager page on the Career Services website. Remember: this is a position that requires some experience first.
