Community Occupational Therapist Level 4 - Team Leader

Lead, mentor, and make a meaningful impact in community-based occupational therapy.

Remuneration: $126,524 – $129,591 per annum + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: Nelson Bay Community Health Service
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 4
Requisition ID: REQ660383
Applications Close: Monday 1st June 2026

Where you’ll be working

You will join the Community Occupational Therapy team within Integrated Care, Networks and Partnerships, based at Nelson Bay Community Health Centre and servicing the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle regions. The team provides community-based occupational therapy services primarily to older adults aged over 65 years, as well as younger clients who meet eligibility criteria, supporting people with functional decline, chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment, falls risk, equipment and home modification needs, palliative care support, and strategies to maintain independence and safety at home.

This is a collaborative, supportive, and values-driven team that promotes person-centred care, clinical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. Staff work autonomously while remaining well connected through regular supervision, team meetings, professional development, and strong multidisciplinary partnerships. The service encourages ongoing learning, leadership development, and involvement in quality improvement and service development initiatives.

About the role

This Level 4 Team Leader position combines advanced clinical practice with operational and professional leadership responsibilities. You will provide clinical leadership, supervision, mentoring, and support to Occupational Therapists across multiple Community Health sites while also managing a clinical caseload.

Comprehensive orientation and ongoing support will be provided, including:
 

• Local orientation to Community Health services, operational processes, referral pathways, and district systems.
• Support from the Service Manager and senior Occupational Therapy staff during transition into the role.
• Regular supervision, mentoring, peer support, and discipline-specific networking opportunities.
• Opportunities to participate in quality improvement, service development, clinical governance, and leadership initiatives.
• Access to internal and external professional development relevant to community health, aged care, leadership, supervision, and complex clinical practice.

About you

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Occupational Therapist with advanced clinical capability, leadership skills, and a strong commitment to high-quality community-based care. You will demonstrate:

• Advanced clinical reasoning and assessment skills relevant to community-based occupational therapy and complex client presentations.
• Experience providing leadership, supervision, mentoring, or support to staff and students.
• Strong communication, organisational, and time management skills, with the ability to balance clinical and leadership responsibilities across multiple sites.
• A collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to person-centred, evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
• Significant post-graduate clinical experience, including community health and/or older persons health.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience providing supervision, mentoring, or coordination of staff.
• Strong clinical decision-making skills and the ability to manage risk within a community setting.
• The ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A values-based approach that aligns with collaborative, respectful, and person-centred healthcare delivery.

This role offers the opportunity to further develop operational leadership, service improvement, and advanced clinical skills within a supportive and experienced team environment.

Requirements:

• Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA
• Eligibility to drive in NSW and the ability and willingness to travel for work purposes which may involve driving long distances

What we offer

At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), 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:

• ADO's each month (for full time employees)
• Salary packaging options
• Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
• Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals

Additional Information:
 

• 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.

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies. 

• 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 ability to build and maintain co-operative professional and therapeutic relationships

2. Demonstrated ability in effectively managing and leading a team and redesigning clinical services in response to demand and community need.

3. Demonstrated ability managing human resources and encouraging others to build their professional skills, effectively adapt to ongoing change and achieve health service outcomes.

Need more information? 

  1) Click here for the Position Description 
  2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Lisa-Dawn McGavern on Lisa.McGavern@health.nsw.gov.au