Make Your Mark in Occupational Therapy, where person-centred care and professional development go hand in hand
Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 1/2
Remuneration: $38.51 per hour - $54.94 per hour + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 20
Location: James Fletcher Hospital, Newcastle
Requisition ID: REQ668591
Application Close: Monday 22nd June 2026
Where you'll be working
The Newcastle Community Older Persons Mental Health Service, based in Newcastle, provides specialist assessment, treatment, and recovery-oriented care to older adults experiencing mental health concerns across the Newcastle and Port Stephens regions. The service is located at Watt Street Newcastle (former James Fletcher Hospital site), and operates as part of a broader community mental health framework.
The team is multidisciplinary working collaboratively to deliver person-centred, evidence-based care. The service operates within a community setting, with clinicians frequently engaging clients in their homes or local environments to support functional recovery and meaningful community participation.
The team has a strong culture of collaboration, clinical reflection, and ongoing learning, with a focus on supporting both consumers and staff through shared expertise and mutual respect.
What you'll be doing
This role offers a rewarding opportunity to work as an Occupational Therapist within a community-based Older Persons Mental Health Team, supporting older adults experiencing a range of mental health conditions, cognitive impairment, and complex psychosocial challenges.
No two days are the same. A typical week involves a combination of community-based assessments, care coordination, multidisciplinary case discussions, and the delivery of evidence-based occupational therapy interventions focused on recovery, independence, and quality of life.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting functional, psychosocial, and environmental assessments in clients' homes and community settings
- Supporting consumers to maintain or regain independence in everyday activities, roles, and routines
- Developing and implementing individualised interventions to address functional, social, cognitive, and mental health needs
- Working collaboratively with consumers, carers, families, residential aged care facilities, general practitioners, and other community service providers
- Participating in multidisciplinary care planning, risk assessment, and case reviews
Providing care coordination for consumers with complex mental health needs
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The position offers a high level of autonomy and variety, with regular outreach, home visits, and engagement across a range of community settings. Occupational Therapists are highly valued members of our multidisciplinary team and play a key role in helping consumers achieve meaningful goals, maintain independence, and remain connected to their communities. The successful candidate will join a supportive and experienced team comprising nursing, medical, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, and administrative staff. Regular professional supervision, opportunities for ongoing learning, and involvement in service development and quality improvement initiatives are supported and encouraged.
Whether you are an experienced mental health Occupational Therapist or looking to develop your skills in older persons mental health, this position provides an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people and their families.
About you
The ideal candidate is a compassionate, recovery-oriented Occupational Therapist committed to supporting older people to maximise their independence, wellbeing and quality of life in the community. They will demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, sound clinical judgement, and the ability to build effective therapeutic relationships with consumers, families and carers.
Working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the successful candidate will undertake holistic assessments, apply person-centred and strengths-based practice, and effectively manage competing priorities. A commitment to professional development, reflective practice and evidence-based care is essential.
Experience in community mental health or older persons mental health services is desirable, along with skills in mental health assessment, care coordination, recovery planning, and the delivery of group programs and psychosocial interventions. The successful candidate will have, or be supported to develop, knowledge of relevant mental health, aged care and community support systems, as well as the confidence to manage complex presentations and work effectively with a range of partner agencies and services.
How you will be supported
The successful candidate will be supported by the Team Manager, Clinical Co-ordinator, senior clinicians, and Occupational Therapy colleagues within the Older Persons Community Mental Health Service and broader Hunter New England Mental Health network.
- Structured support includes:
- Orientation to the service, clinical systems, policies, procedures, and community mental health model of care
- Regular professional supervision and access to discipline-specific Occupational Therapy support and peer networks
- Clinical support and mentoring from experienced mental health clinicians within a multidisciplinary team
- Opportunities to develop skills in functional and psychosocial assessment, recovery-oriented practice, care coordination, and evidence-based interventions
- Access to internal and external education programs, professional development activities, and service-based training opportunities
- Participation in regular team meetings, case reviews, clinical discussions, and quality improvement initiatives
Our team fosters a supportive and learning-focused environment where reflective practice, collaboration, and continuous professional development are highly valued. We welcome applicants with varying levels of mental health experience and are committed to supporting clinicians to build confidence and expertise in older persons mental health and community-based practice.
Requirements
- Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy recognised by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA.
Eligible to drive in NSW with a current unrestricted NSW drivers' licence and willingness to travel
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What we can offer you
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:
- Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
- Proximity to shopping and other services
- Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
- 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
- Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
- Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
- Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
Additional information
- An eligibility list will be created for future permanent and temporary part-time vacancies.
- To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
- Experience and/or knowledge in applying OT practice to a community mental health setting or working with an aged population experiencing mental health issues.
- Familiar with the use and interpretation of functional and psychosocial assessments and implementing individual and group based interventions.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and set priorities.
Need more information?
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For role related queries or questions contact Ricci Berrie on [email protected]
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
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