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.
n
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.
n
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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n
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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Chance 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 strong 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 (South Australia)
🏢 Gorilla Jobs
📍 South Australia