Our Client:

Our client is a privately owned allied health business, established in 2014 to provide services to older people. They are a growing organisation with plans for further expansion in terms of the area they cover and the services they offer. Their vision is to provide high quality healthcare to Australians wherever they are, whenever they need to access it. Their mission is to disrupt the status quo and inspire, innovate and recreate healthcare services.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist (Mental Health and Dementia Care) to join an innovative reablement-focused pilot program in Geelong, VIC. This is a 4 days per week, fixed-term contract (with possible extension) commencing October 2026, delivering an evidence-based Functional Engagement Program for residents with dementia and/or severe and persistent mental illness within a residential aged care facility. You will provide high-level clinical assessment, individualised intervention planning and direct therapeutic delivery, working closely with the facility's Lifestyle, Nursing and Physiotherapy teams to embed personalised, consumer-centred activity across all seven days of the week.

- Complete comprehensive, standardised assessments evaluating cognitive status, mental health presentation, functional capacity and behavioural symptoms
- Administer and interpret standardised outcome measures including CMAI, NPI-Q, CSDD, COPM, MoCA, RUDAS and ACLS
- Synthesise assessment findings into clear clinical formulations identifying the drivers of behaviours of concern
- Design evidence-based, individualised interventions using the Tailored Activity Program (TAP), Montessori-based models, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and sensory modulation
- Deliver 1:1 tailored activity sessions, prioritising residents with escalating BPSD or high behavioural risk




- Facilitate structured group programs including CST, sensory modulation, music-based groups and reablement activities
- Integrate individualised activity plans with residents' existing Behaviour Support Plans
- Contribute to joint DICE case discussions and fortnightly case conferences with the multidisciplinary team
- Coach and train nursing, care and Lifestyle staff to sustain individualised interventions on non-program days
- Formally reassess resident progress at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months using repeated outcome measures
- Compile outcome data and contribute to interim and full program evaluation reports
- Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation in line with clinical governance requirements

Benefits:

- $85,000 – $100,000 + superannuation (pro rata, dependent on experience)
- 4 days per week (0.8 FTE), fixed-term contract with possible extension
- October 2026 commencement
- Be part of an innovative, evidence-based reablement pilot program
- Contribute to restrictive practice reduction and meaningful outcomes for older adults
- Work within a supportive multidisciplinary team
- Opportunity to shape a business case for ongoing or expanded service delivery
- Join a growing, innovative allied health organisation with expansion plans

About You:

- Bachelor or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy
- Current, unrestricted AHPRA registration
- Minimum 5 years' post-registration clinical experience, with substantial experience in aged care, dementia care and/or older persons' mental health settings




- Demonstrated experience working with clients with mental health conditions and dementia (essential)
- Demonstrated experience delivering evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions for BPSD such as TAP, Montessori-based activities, CST or sensory modulation
- Experience or willingness to learn standardised outcome measures (CMAI, NPI-Q, CSDD, COPM or equivalent)
- Experience working within a reablement, restorative or recovery-oriented model of care
- Demonstrated multidisciplinary teamwork including collaborative case formulation (DICE model)
- Experience mentoring, coaching or training care staff (highly desirable)
- Experience in residential aged care under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards (highly desirable)
- Additional training in dementia care or positive engagement programs (desirable)
- Strong written and verbal communication, documentation and reporting skills
- Ability to work autonomously across mental-health-focused and dementia-focused clinical streams
- Current Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check (or ability to obtain)
- Current Australian driver's licence
- Eligible to work in Australia

About Us:

MediRecruit provides a specialist healthcare recruitment and career advisory service for Allied Health professionals in Australia, Recent Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Our dynamic team of recruiters have healthcare backgrounds and are passionate about sharing their expert advice.

Refer a Friend:

Do you know a health professional who would be perfect for this role? Refer them and earn a shared $500 referral bonus!

How to Apply:

Please apply and one of our Healthcare Specialists will call you for a confidential discussion. Or contact Danielle Weedon - [email protected] or 0437 483 364.

📌 Senior Occupational Therapist - Mental Health and Dementia Care - Geelong, VIC
🏢 Medirecruit
📍 Geelong