PLEASE NOTE: The closing date to submit applications has been extended until 4.00pm Monday 29 June 2026.
Do you want to be a part of a team that promotes and improves the health of its people and community?
This is for Permanent Full-Time / Part-Time, Fixed Term Full-Time / Part-Time and Casual appointments in the State Forensic Mental Health Service (SFMHS) within our Admitted Service and our Non Admitted Service, Fixed Term and Casual appointments will be made with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.
We currently have two permanent positions available. Full time, part time and job share will be considered.
What is our Senior Occupational Therapist role?
About the Role:
The Senior Occupational Therapist has a pivotal senior role in the SFMHS at a time of significant growth and reform. You will play a key role within the service in facilitating and evaluating a range of therapeutic interventions for adult forensic mental health consumers. The Senior Occupational Therapist promotes the benefits of participation and performance in meaningful occupations through individual work and/or group facilitation, in collaboration and consultation with the multidisciplinary team and other key stakeholders.
The Senior OT role is grounded in the core principles of occupational therapy - longitudinal, person-centred, and goal-oriented rehabilitation, that supports individuals in reclaiming meaningful occupations and independence and supporting recovery from serious mental illness in the context of justice involvement.
This is an opportunity to apply your advanced knowledge of OT theory and clinical practice skills to help people rebuild their lives and reduce risk, through meaningful engagement and therapeutic intervention. You’ll lead and collaborate with a diverse team of professionals including psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, allied health assistants, justice and NDIS partners - to deliver integrated, evidence-based care. Your leadership will help define and elevate the Occupational Therapy roles within this evolving service and will be central to shaping clinical direction and service delivery. You’ll also provide clinical supervision and support to relevant staff members, students and support staff.
- Within the SFMHS Allied Health Admitted Service position you’ll be working with consumers within the current 45 inpatient forensic beds – Providing and coordinating OT assessment and intervention service.
- Within the SFMHS Allied Health Non-Admitted Service position you will be working with individuals living in the community who experience severe and enduring mental illness and are assessed to pose a high risk of serious offending.
About You
- You will be someone who it passionate about being an OT, and engaging your consumers in meaningful occupations to improve their clinical outcomes
- You will bring a high level of knowledge and experience in working with high risk and clinically complex mental health cohorts, with experience within a multidisciplinary team context.
- You will bring experience and skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating Occupational Therapy services with high level organisational and problem-solving skills.
- You will have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with consumers, families, colleagues and external agencies, with the ability to write well-structured OT reports and contribute to service reporting.
- You will be a driven and innovative individual whose actions, interactions and partnerships achieve high quality patient care.
While your qualifications and experience tell us part of your story, your values and attitude speak louder still. At NMHS, we aim to ensure our behaviours reflect our core values: Care, Respect, Innovation, Teamwork and Integrity. During the selection process you will be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position while upholding our values.
About SFMHS
These roles are part of the SFMHS which provides mental health services to adults, children and adolescents with serious mental illness associated with high-risk behaviours and who are typically involved in the criminal justice system. Our multidisciplinary services are delivered across a variety of settings including 45 inpatient beds, the community, prisons, detention, and courts, in partnership with The Department of Justice and other health providers.
It's an exciting time of expansion within SFMHS with substantial State Government investment in forensic mental health services. Funding of over $185 million has been committed for new adult and child and adolescent forensic mental health units, with further announcements expected. Additional services are also being implemented in relation to the Criminal Law Mental Impairment (CLMI) Act reform with growth occurring across all service streams. This is a chance to join an expanding specialty team that is passionate, innovative, and committed to clinical excellence - while also fostering a positive, collegial work culture.
For more information on working in Western Australia and within the State Forensic Mental Health Service within NMHS, you can visit these websites
North Metropolitan Health Service - Seeking experienced forensic mental health professionals needed in Western Australia
North Metropolitan Health Service - State Forensics Mental Health Services
What we offer
NMHS supports flexible working practices and consideration will be given to flexible work options, where operationally appropriate. In addition to the great salary, our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits (North Metropolitan Health Service - Pay and Benefits) including:
- Generous salary packaging to increase take-home pay
- Professional and career development opportunities
- Diverse and inclusive culture
Want to know more about this role?
We encourage you to contact Kelly Ross on 6159 6932 or email [email protected] to discuss how this role aligns with your personal and career interests.
We think you’ll like it here
Our employees like working here, and we think you will too. Watch this video to find out what they have to say.
How to apply
Applicants are required to apply online www.jobs.wa.gov.au so allow enough time to complete the online application process and attach your documentation. If you experience difficulties, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.
To apply, please provide:
- A brief covering letter indicating your preference for either Admitted or Non-Admitted Service, or if applying for both.
- A statement of no more than three (3) pages addressing the essential criteria numbers 2 to 6, providing examples and evidence of your skills and experience.
- A detailed resume which sets out your qualifications, capabilities and experience relevant to this position.
- References - the names and contact details of two (2) referees. It is preferable for one of your referees to have been a recent supervisor.
Eligibility to Apply: Australian citizenship or permanent residency is an essential requirement for applicants to be considered for permanent positions in the public sector.
WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.
Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.
North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) fosters an environment of equity and inclusion and strives to ensure everyone experiences a sense of belonging. We celebrate the rich diversity of our community and are committed to recruiting a team that is reflective of those we care for. We encourage anyone who aligns with our values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation and Care to apply for this role.
NMHS is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce as a part of our Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Strategy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position.
NMHS upholds the social model of disability. We welcome applicants who have disability and endeavour to support reasonable workplace adjustments and flexibility. If you have any access needs or require adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact the NMHS Talent Attraction Group (TAG) at email [email protected].
Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions after or on, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted.
We look forward to receiving your application.
