Occupational Therapist | Dementia & Mental Health | Western Suburbs
This is a unique prospect to join a six-month, evidence-based pilot program supporting older adults living withdementia and severe and persistent mental illnesswithin residential aged care.
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.
This is a0.8 FTE role across 4 days per week, with the possibility of extension depending on program outcomes.
On Offer:
Salary starting from$95,000 + super pro rata, depending on experience
Fixed-term contract with possible extension
Senior clinical autonomy
Strong governance and leadership support
Opportunity to contribute to a new, evidence-based program
Meaningful work with complex older adult clients
Genuine scope to influence service design and future growth
This is a unique opportunity to join a six-month, evidence-based pilot program supporting older adults living withdementia and severe and persistent mental illnesswithin residential aged care.
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.
This is a0.8 FTE role across 4 days per week, with the possibility of extension depending on program outcomes.
On Offer:
Salary starting from$95,000 + super pro rata, depending on experience
0.8 FTE, 4 days per week




Fixed-term contract with possible extension
Senior clinical autonomy
Strong governance and leadership support
Opportunity to contribute to a new, evidence-based program
Meaningful work with complex older adult clients
Genuine scope to influence service design and future growth
About the Role:
As the Occupational Therapist, you'll work across two key clinical streams:
Dementia and behavioural support
Older adult mental health
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.
You'll work closely with nursing, physiotherapy, lifestyle teams and senior leadership to embed meaningful activity across the resident's entire week.
What You'll Be Doing Your role will include:
Completing comprehensive functional, cognitive and behavioural assessments
Assessing mental health presentation, occupational history, routines and interests
Developing individualised care and activity plans
Delivering 1:1 occupation-based intervention
Facilitating structured therapeutic groups
Supporting sensory modulation and behavioural regulation
Contributing to multidisciplinary case formulation
Coaching nursing, care and lifestyle staff




Reassessing client outcomes throughout the program
Contributing to the program's 3-month and 6-month evaluation reports
You'll also have the opportunity to work with evidence-based approaches including:
Tailored Activity Program
Montessori-based dementia care
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
Sensory modulation
Recovery-oriented practice
DICE-informed behavioural formulation
Meaningful-role and activity-based reablement
Why This Role Stands Out:
This role is designed for an experienced clinician who wants to use high-level clinical reasoning rather than simply carry a large caseload.
You'll have the opportunity to influence:
Client outcomes
Staff practice
Behaviour support approaches
Restrictive practice reduction
Service development
The future direction of the program
Work-Life Balance
4 days per week
Fixed-term position with possible extension
Senior clinical role with strong governance support
No traditional high-volume community caseload
Clear focus on quality clinical outcomes
Professional Impact This is an opportunity to contribute to a genuinely innovative service model.
Your clinical outcomes and assessment data will help shape the future business case for ongoing and potentially expanded services.
What We're Looking For:
This role will suit an experienced OT who is confident managing complex clinical presentations and enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines.
Requirements:
Bachelor or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy
Current unrestricted AHPRA registration
Full Australian working rights
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📌 Occupational Therapist | Dementia & Mental Health | Western Suburbs (Melbourne)
🏢 Gorilla Jobs
📍 Melbourne