Occupational Therapist Level 4 - Emergency Department
Lead urgent OT care in a fast-paced ED and ward setting - making real-time decisions, guiding discharges, and mentoring the OT team
Remuneration: $61.35 - $62.84 per hour + superannuation + salary packaging
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time - Until April 2026
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 4
Location: Armidale Hospital
Hours Per Week: 22
Requisition ID: REQ588078
Applications Close: Sunday 13th July 2025
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
- 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
- Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals
About the role:
A typical day in this role will involve intense and fast paced OT assessment of patients who present to ED and also working on the wards, if need be, to provide urgent OT intervention. You will work closely with the ED and ward multidisciplinary team to determine what the patient requires to be discharged home safely, or whether they need to be admitted to the ward. You will have the chance to ensure that immediate patient needs within the scope of OT practice are met in the ED department and on the wards.
Throughout your day you will also have close contact with the other OTs in the hospital, providing handovers to the OTs working on the inpatient wards of the hospital where the patient may be being admitted and if required and also working on the wards to provide OT assessment and interventions. At times, you may also carry out brief home visits or equipment deliveries and liaise with external service providers and supports for the patient in order to meet the goals of the patient.
There is an expectation that weekends will be regularly included in the roster. As a level 4 position, you will also fulfil the role of clinical supervisor, and deputy to the OT Department Manager, including making a contribution to education and administrative activities for ARRH OT Department.
You will be supported by the Occupational Therapy Department Manager as well the ED Nurse Unit Manager. An orientation program will be provided and opportunities for training and education related to the position will be encouraged. You will also be encouraged to participate in OT in ED communities of practice.
About you:
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities and attributes:
A typical day in this role will involve intense and fast paced OT assessment of patients who present to ED and also working on the wards, if need be, to provide urgent OT intervention. You will work closely with the ED and ward multidisciplinary team to determine what the patient requires to be discharged home safely, or whether they need to be admitted to the ward. You will have the chance to ensure that immediate patient needs within the scope of OT practice are met in the ED department and on the wards.
Throughout your day you will also have close contact with the other OTs in the hospital, providing handovers to the OTs working on the inpatient wards of the hospital where the patient may be being admitted and if required and also working on the wards to provide OT assessment and interventions. At times, you may also carry out brief home visits or equipment deliveries and liaise with external service providers and supports for the patient in order to meet the goals of the patient.
There is an expectation that weekends will be regularly included in the roster. As a level 4 position, you will also fulfil the role of clinical supervisor, and deputy to the OT Department Manager, including making a contribution to education and administrative activities for ARRH OT Department.
You will be supported by the Occupational Therapy Department Manager as well the ED Nurse Unit Manager. An orientation program will be provided and opportunities for training and education related to the position will be encouraged. You will also be encouraged to participate in OT in ED communities of practice.
About you:
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities and attributes:
- The successful candidate will show skills such as self-motivation, autonomy, compassion, enthusiasm and good time management skills in order to complete tasks required each day.
- Attributes such as flexibility, the desire to work together as a team and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are required. Our ideal candidate will be committed to providing safe, compassionate person centred care, aiming to assist the client to reach their safe discharge and organising appropriate follow-up services. You will be able to work weekends regularly. As a deputy to the OT department manager, you will also have leadership and staff supervision skills.
In addition, we are looking for a person with:
- An extensive level of broad generalist knowledge within the OT discipline.
- Previously demonstrated advanced reasoning skills in order that they can work autonomously with minimum direct clinical supervision. This includes a high level ability to prioritise and manage your time and caseload.
- An ability to provide clinical services to client groups and circumstances of a complex nature requiring advanced practice skills and are able to apply professional knowledge and judgement when performing novel, complex or critical tasks specific to the OT discipline.
- Ability to exercise independent professional judgement when required in solving problems and managing cases where principles, procedures, techniques and methods require expansion, adaptation or modification.
- Able to provide professional supervision and support to Level 1/2 and 3 OTs, an Allied Health assistant and administration officer.
- Ability to plan, implement, evaluate and report on the OT service in ED.
- Are able to identify opportunities for improvement in clinical practice, develop and lead ongoing quality improvement activities with other staff.
- An ability to conduct clinical education to staff.
- Ability to deputise for the OT Dept manager including carrying out the associated staff management and administration skills.
Previous experience in an Emergency Department is preferred, but not mandatory for this role. Training will also be provided for the skills required to deputise for the OT Department Manager.
Requirements:
- Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA.
Additional Information:
- To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
- Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
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 Sandra Flett on Sandra.Flett@health.nsw.gov.au
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Sandra Flett on Sandra.Flett@health.nsw.gov.au
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.
