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 we cover and the services we 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 an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist to lead the clinical side of an innovative six-month reablement pilot in a residential aged care facility in Geelong, VIC. The program supports residents living with dementia and/or severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on reducing behaviours of concern and the use of chemical restraint through evidence-based, non-pharmacological care. This is a 0.8 FTE fixed-term role starting mid-November 2026, with the possibility of extension. You will work closely with the facility's lifestyle, nursing and physiotherapy teams.

- Complete comprehensive cognitive, mental health, functional and behavioural assessments for residents referred to the program
- Administer and interpret standardised outcome measures (such as CMAI, NPI-Q, CSDD and COPM), with formal reassessment at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months
- Develop clinical formulations that identify the underlying drivers of behaviours of concern
- Design individualised activity plans using the Tailored Activity Program, Montessori-based approaches and other evidence-based models
- Deliver 1:1 sessions and group programs, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, sensory modulation, music-based and meaningful-role activities
- Coach nursing, care and lifestyle staff so residents' plans continue across all seven days
- Contribute to case conferences, DICE case discussions and behaviour support planning




- Collect outcome data and contribute to interim and final program evaluation reports

Benefits:

- $95,000 + superannuation (pro rata), based on experience
- 0.8 FTE (4 days per week), fixed-term with possible extension
- Starting mid-November 2026
- Senior role leading clinical assessment and intervention in an innovative pilot program
- Opportunity to shape a service model that could be expanded long term
- Supportive, growing allied health organisation focused on older Australians
- Coastal Geelong lifestyle, close to the Surf Coast and an hour from Melbourne

About You:

- Degree in Occupational Therapy, with current AHPRA registration
- At least 5 years' post-registration experience, including substantial work with older adults in aged care, dementia care and/or older persons' mental health
- Demonstrated experience with clients with dementia and mental health conditions (essential)
- Experience delivering non-pharmacological interventions for BPSD, such as TAP, Montessori-based activities, CST or sensory modulation
- Experience with standardised outcome measures, or willingness to learn
- Strong skills in staff coaching and multidisciplinary collaboration
- Additional training in dementia care or positive engagement programs (desirable)
- Current Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check and driver's licence, or able to obtain

About Us:

MediRecruit provides a specialist healthcare recruitment and career advisory service for Allied Health professionals in Australia, Current 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 - Dementia & Mental Health - Geelong, VIC
🏢 Medirecruit
📍 Geelong