Te Whatu Ora Accreditation – working in the Health sector
What is it?
Te Whatu Ora Accreditation is a collaboration between Te Rōpu Kaiwhiriwhiri o Aotearoa NZAC and Health NZ that started in August 2022.
Full Members with current NZAC registration and either a Bachelor's or Master of Counselling Degree can be accredited and apply for health contracts or employment funded by Te Whatu Ora.
Previously only practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Competence Assurance Act, (HPCA Act), could deliver clinical services in the public health system.
Te Rōpu Kaiwhiriwhiri o Aotearoa NZAC will maintain independence as a self-regulated professional association The agreement allows our members to be recognised and employed in the health sector.
The benefit for Te Whatu Ora is increasing the available mental health workforce to support many more Kiwis suffering from mental health issues and ensure greater accessibility to counselling services.
To have Te Whatu Ora accreditation you will need to be a Full Member with the following:
- Bachelor of Counselling or Master of Counselling (not PGDip Counselling) OR
- An overseas qualification assessed by NZQA and recognised by NZAC as being equivalent to a Bachelor or Master of Counselling.
- A current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
- Complete and receive a clear police vet every three years
- Complete the Puawānanga Kaitiakitanga competency in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every three years
Other things you need to know:
- Te Whatu Ora accreditation is not compulsory for Members. It is an option for Members who wish to work in the Health Sector.
- There is no extra cost to being Te Whatu Ora Accredited as an NZAC Member.
- Once you have a Te Whatu Ora Accredited APC you can apply for positions in the Health Sector funded by Te Whatu Ora in organisations such as: Primary and Community Health, Medical Centres, Alcohol and other Drug services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Youth Mental Health Services, Kaupapa Māori services, Primary Health Organisations.
- If you do not have the named qualifications there will be a project to review the pathway for Members with other qualifications in the near future.