Job Description

Occupational Therapist | Dementia & Mental Health | Western Suburbs

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This is a unique opportunity to join a six-month, evidence-based pilot program supporting older adults living with dementia and severe and persistent mental illness within residential aged care.

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Rather than stepping into a traditional high-volume caseload, you'll play a key role in assessing complex residents, developing highly individualised interventions, and helping reduce behaviours of concern through meaningful, occupation-based therapy.

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This is a 0.8 FTE role across 4 days per week, with the possibility of extension depending on program outcomes.

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On Offer:

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- Salary starting from $95,000 + super pro rata, depending on experience
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- Fixed-term contract with possible extension
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- Senior clinical autonomy
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- Strong governance and leadership support
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- Opportunity to contribute to a new, evidence-based program
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- Meaningful work with complex older adult clients
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- Genuine scope to influence service design and future growth
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This is a unique opportunity to join a six-month, evidence-based pilot program supporting older adults living with dementia and severe and persistent mental illness within residential aged care.

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Rather than stepping into a traditional high-volume caseload, you'll play a key role in assessing complex residents, developing highly individualised interventions, and helping reduce behaviours of concern through meaningful, occupation-based therapy.

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This is a 0.8 FTE role across 4 days per week, with the possibility of extension depending on program outcomes.

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On Offer:

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- Salary starting from $95,000 + super pro rata, depending on experience
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- 0.8 FTE, 4 days per week
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- Fixed-term contract with possible extension
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- Senior clinical autonomy
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- Strong governance and leadership support
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- Opportunity to contribute to a new, evidence-based program
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- Meaningful work with complex older adult clients
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- Genuine scope to influence service design and future growth
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About the Role:

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As the Occupational Therapist, you'll work across two key clinical streams:

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- Dementia and behavioural support
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- Older adult mental health
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Your focus will be on understanding the person behind the behaviour and developing practical, evidence-based interventions that improve engagement, participation and quality of life.

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You'll work closely with nursing, physiotherapy, lifestyle teams and senior leadership to embed meaningful activity across the resident's entire week.

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What You'll Be Doing Your role will include:

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- Completing comprehensive functional, cognitive and behavioural assessments
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- Assessing mental health presentation, occupational history, routines and interests
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- Developing individualised care and activity plans
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- Delivering 1:1 occupation-based intervention
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- Facilitating structured therapeutic groups
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- Supporting sensory modulation and behavioural regulation
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- Contributing to multidisciplinary case formulation
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- Coaching nursing, care and lifestyle staff
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- Reassessing client outcomes throughout the program
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- Contributing to the program's 3-month and 6-month evaluation reports
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You'll also have the opportunity to work with evidence-based approaches including:

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- Tailored Activity Program
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- Montessori-based dementia care
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- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
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- Sensory modulation
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- Recovery-oriented practice
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- DICE-informed behavioural formulation
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- Meaningful-role and activity-based reablement
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Why This Role Stands Out:

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This role is designed for an experienced clinician who wants to use high-level clinical reasoning rather than simply carry a large caseload.

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You'll have the opportunity to influence:

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- Client outcomes
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- Staff practice
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- Behaviour support approaches
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- Restrictive practice reduction
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- Service development
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- The future direction of the program
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Work-Life Balance

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- 4 days per week
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- Fixed-term position with possible extension
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- Senior clinical role with robust governance support
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- No traditional high-volume community caseload
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- Clear focus on quality clinical outcomes
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Professional Impact This is an opportunity to contribute to a genuinely innovative service model.

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Your clinical outcomes and assessment data will help shape the future business case for ongoing and potentially expanded services.

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What We're Looking For:

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This role will suit an experienced OT who is confident managing complex clinical presentations and enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines.

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Requirements:

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- Bachelor or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy
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- Current unrestricted AHPRA registration
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- Full Australian working rights
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📌 Occupational Therapist | Dementia & Mental Health | Western Suburbs (Williamstown)
🏢 Gorilla Jobs
📍 Williamstown