Occupational Therapist - Mental Health Unit

Support recovery. Build capability. Make every day meaningful.

Remuneration: $76,364 - $108,943 per annum + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: The Maitland Hospital
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 1/2
Requisition ID: REQ671260
Applications Close: Sunday 12th July 2026

About the role

The Occupational Therapist Level 1/2 provides high-quality occupational therapy services to consumers admitted to Maitland Mental Health Unit. As part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will deliver evidence-based, recovery-oriented assessment and intervention for people experiencing acute mental health presentations.

Your role will include completing functional and psychosocial assessments, developing and implementing intervention plans, facilitating individual and group therapeutic programs, and supporting consumers to build independence, daily living skills, coping strategies and meaningful occupational engagement. You will contribute to multidisciplinary care planning, discharge planning and continuity of care, while maintaining high-quality clinical documentation and collaborating with carers and community services.

Reporting to the Nurse Unit Manager, you will receive a structured orientation, regular professional supervision and discipline-specific clinical support through the Occupational Therapy professional stream. With access to ongoing education and professional development, this is an excellent opportunity to build your skills in acute inpatient mental health while contributing to therapeutic program development and service improvement.

Where you'll be working

Maitland Mental Health Unit is a 24-bed acute inpatient service within Maitland Hospital and forms part of the Hunter Valley Lower Mid North Coast Mental Health Service. The unit provides assessment, treatment and inpatient care for people experiencing acute mental health presentations, with a strong focus on recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and person-centred care.

You will join a collaborative multidisciplinary team of nurses, medical officers, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, a dietitian, peer worker and allied health assistant. Occupational therapy is a highly valued discipline within the service, providing specialist assessment and intervention to support consumers' functional recovery, independence and participation in meaningful occupations.

Maitland Hospital is a contemporary regional hospital serving the growing Lower Hunter community, offering a collaborative work environment and strong links across acute, community and specialist mental health services.

About you

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Occupational Therapist who is passionate about mental health and committed to delivering high-quality, recovery-oriented care. You enjoy working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to develop your clinical skills.

You'll bring:
 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with consumers, carers and colleagues.
• Sound clinical reasoning and the ability to assess functional and psychosocial needs.
• A commitment to recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and person-centred practice.
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills, flexibility and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Experience in acute or inpatient mental health, including occupational therapy assessment and group facilitation, is desirable but not essential. We welcome applicants with transferable occupational therapy skills and a genuine interest in mental health, and provide the supervision and support needed to develop confidence and expertise in the inpatient setting.

Requirements:

• Degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA

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. Familiarity with the use and interpretation of functional and psychosocial assessments.
2. Experience in program design and the development, facilitation and evaluation of group interventions based on consumer need.
3. Experience and/or knowledge in applying Occupational Therapy practice to an acute/inpatient mental health setting.

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 Caitlin Morton on Caitlin.Morton@health.nsw.gov.au