Community Occupational Therapist

Advance your career as an Occupational Therapist in a supportive team where your expertise makes a difference. 

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 3
Remuneration: $121,568 - $125,507 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ675440
Location: Various
Applications Close: Sunday, 26th July 2026


Where you'll be working
Our Community Occupational Therapy team provides person-centred assessment and intervention to support people to live safely, independently and confidently in their own homes. While our service predominantly supports older people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal people), we also provide services to younger adults who meet our eligibility criteria. This creates a diverse and rewarding caseload across a broad range of clinical presentations. Our occupational therapists have expertise in home modifications, assistive technology and equipment prescription, falls prevention, functional assessment, and strategies that enable people to remain engaged in the activities that matter most to them.  We are a highly collaborative and supportive team that values respect, kindness and continuous learning. Clinicians are encouraged to share knowledge, seek advice and work together to achieve the best outcomes for clients. We foster an environment where staff feel supported to develop professionally, contribute ideas and build their clinical expertise through mentoring, supervision and ongoing education. While community practice offers a high level of autonomy, you'll always have the backing of an experienced and approachable team.

The Opportunity
No two days are the same in this role. A typical week involves visiting clients in their homes to complete comprehensive occupational therapy assessments, identify barriers to independence, and develop practical, person-centred solutions that support people to remain living safely at home. The caseload is varied and includes assessment and prescription of simple and complex assistive technology, recommendations for minor and major home modifications, functional assessments, falls prevention, pressure care, and manual handling advice. You'll work closely with clients, families, carers, builders, suppliers and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure recommendations are both clinically appropriate and tailored to each person's goals and living environment. Beyond direct clinical care, you'll have opportunities to contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, student supervision and mentoring of less experienced staff. The role requires strong clinical reasoning, problem-solving and communication skills, as every client presents with unique circumstances and priorities. 
Locations of the role include East Maitland Community Health Service, 

• Eastlakes Community Health Service
• East Maitland Community Health Service
• Nelson Bay Community Health Service
• Western Newcastle Community Health Service
• Westlakes Community Health Service
• Newcastle Community Health Service
   

One of the most rewarding aspects of this position is seeing the real difference your interventions make. Whether it's recommending a simple piece of equipment or coordinating a major home modification, your work directly supports people to maintain their independence, reduce risk and continue living in the place they call home. 

We are committed to helping new team members feel confident and supported from day one.  The successful applicant will receive a comprehensive orientation to the service, including local processes, community systems, documentation requirements, and clinical workflows. An individualised orientation plan will be tailored to their previous experience and learning needs. Clinical support is provided through regular supervision, mentoring from experienced occupational therapists, peer support, case discussions and opportunities to work alongside colleagues to build confidence in specialised areas of practice, including assistive technology and home modifications. We recognise that these are areas of advanced clinical practice and provide a structured approach to developing the knowledge and skills required. Professional development is highly valued within our team. Staff are encouraged to participate in internal and external education opportunities, multidisciplinary learning, in-services, journal discussions and quality improvement initiatives. We actively support ongoing learning and encourage clinicians to expand their skills, share knowledge with colleagues and pursue areas of professional interest. Although community practice offers a high degree of autonomy, you'll never be working in isolation. You'll be joining a collaborative team that values learning, open communication and supporting one another to deliver the highest standard of care.

About you
We're looking for a passionate Occupational Therapist who is committed to helping older people live safely and independently in their own homes; 

• Passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care to older people.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build meaningful relationships with clients, carers and colleagues.
• Enjoys collaborating within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates sound clinical reasoning and professional judgement.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Confident working independently while managing a varied community-based caseload.
• Flexible, adaptable and motivated to embrace new challenges.
• Experience in community occupational therapy, home modifications and assistive technology is highly regarded, but not essential.
• Comprehensive training and support provided in equipment prescription and home modifications.
• Empathetic, proactive and professional, with a genuine passion for improving the lives of older people.
   

 If you're someone who enjoys problem-solving, values teamwork and wants to make a meaningful difference in helping people remain safely and independently in their own homes, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

1. Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA

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. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day: 

• 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)

• 6 weeks annual leave (for eligible full time nurses)

• 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 full or part time and temporary full or 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.

1. Demonstrated high-level verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences.

2. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and within a multidisciplinary team to manage complex situations.

3. Demonstrated ability to meet the supervision needs of students and/or less experienced staff.
    

 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 nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au 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.  

Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn!