Lead and shape OT services across a major Mental Health Service
Drive innovation, clinical excellence and workforce development
Join a collaborative Allied Health leadership team
Lead, manage and grow a high-performing Mental Health OT service delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care across WSLHD.
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 6
Remuneration: $145,900 - $149,512 per annum
Hours Per Week: 38
Location: Cumberland Hospital
Where you'll be working
Cumberland Hospital, part of Western Sydney LHD, is NSW’s largest and Australia’s oldest mental health facility. Join a team leading the way in innovative, respectful and collaborative mental health care.
Based at the historic Cumberland Hospital in Western Sydney
Serving local and broader communities with primary to tertiary care
Committed to professional growth through CORE Values
Part of a major new Integrated Mental Health Complex at Westmead
Driven by innovation, respect, empowerment, and quality care
What you'll be doing
As the Occupational Therapy Head of Department, you will provide operational management and professional leadership for Occupational Therapy services across the Mental Health Service while maintaining a clinical caseload aligned with service priorities.
You will play a key role in strengthening governance, workforce capability and evidence-based practice to ensure high-quality and equitable care for mental health consumers and carers.
Lead operational management, workforce planning and service improvement initiatives
Drive clinical governance, accreditation compliance and quality outcomes
Provide professional leadership, supervision and development for OT clinicians
Partner with internal and external stakeholders including universities and community organisations
Support research, student placements and the translation of evidence into practice
Ready to make a difference?
Bring your leadership, resilience and passion for mental health to a role where you can shape services, empower clinicians and improve outcomes for the community. Join NSW Health and help deliver exceptional care where it’s needed most.
How to Apply
Apply online by submitting your resume and addressing the criteria listed below by providing examples that demonstrate your ability before the closing date.
Essential Criteria:
Qualification: Degree recognised by AAOT-NSW Registration in line with Award requirements.
Registration in line with Award requirements: General AHPRA registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
Selection Criteria:
Demonstrated significant experience in the delivery of occupational therapy services at a senior level as part of a trauma-informed recovery-oriented holistic care in a mental health service.
Demonstrated effective management of human and financial resources and understanding of Occupational Therapy clinical and workforce planning issues across multiple sites and complex health settings.
Demonstrated leadership in the strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of local service delivery incorporating the quality improvement process and policy/practice guideline development.
Demonstrated experience operationally and professionally supervising staff including managing conflict/grievances, reviewing and managing performance, supporting continued professional development, delivering and facilitating arrangements for clinical and peer supervision, making grading decisions, and providing advice on other professional matters.
Demonstrated ability and experience in leading, developing, managing, and evaluating an Occupational Therapy service across multiple sites and complex health settings.
Excellent interpersonal communication, verbal and written skills and demonstrated ability to consult, influence and negotiate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in developing and maintaining effective strategic partnerships with consumers, carers and health related organisations in the non-government and government sector with a commitment and ability to achieve quality improvement outcomes.
Current drivers licence (with a willingness to travel in accordance with the demands of the position).
Requisition ID: REQ657954
Applications Close: 17 June 2026
Need more information?
Discover more about the application process.
Review the detailed Position Description for insights into role requirements and criteria.
Explore the selection process, employment checks, outcomes and notifications.
For inquiries about the role, contact Katrina Anwar on
[email protected] or 0438 764 716.
People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, WSLHD will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Stepping Up aims to assist Aboriginal job applicants by providing information about applying for roles in NSW Health organisations. For more information, please visit https://www.steppingup.health.nsw.gov.au/
Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.
