Occupational Therapist Level 4 – Forensic Mental Health

Western Sydney Local Health District; Sydney; On-site; AUD 132,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern facilities

Teaching hospital environment

Staff wellbeing spaces

Close to Westpoint shopping centre

Transport and parking access

Job summary

Western Sydney Local Health District is seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist (Level 4) to join the Budyari Gumada Unit at Blacktown Mental Health Recovery Centre, Blacktown Hospital. You will provide high‑level OT services to forensic mental health patients within a multidisciplinary team.

The role focuses on interpretation of complex functional needs, targeted interventions, and pathways toward recovery and greater independence.

Qualifications

• Tertiary Graduate Qualification in Occupational Therapy.
• Current full registration with AHPRA for Occupational Therapy.
• Experience in mental health with a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in forensic mental health settings and working with NGO or community partners.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ occupational performance and rehabilitation needs, developing individualised treatment plans.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary risk assessments, care planning and discharge planning.
• Prepare comprehensive OT assessments and MHRT documentation.
• Collaborate with nursing, government/non-government organisations and NDIS pathways, supporting pathways to recovery.

Skills

Senior OT

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-informed practice

Clinical governance

Education

OT degree + AHPRA registration

Job description

Employment Details

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 4

Remuneration: $131,585 - $134,775 per annum

Hours Per Week: 38 (Job Share may be considered for part time hours)

Location: Blacktown

Where you'll be working

Join the Budyari Gumada Unit at Blacktown Mental Health Recovery Centre (BMHRC), Blacktown Hospital, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people accessing specialist mental health services.

Blacktown Hospital is a modern teaching hospital serving one of Sydney's fastest-growing and culturally diverse communities.

You will be part of a supportive clinical environment that values collaboration, professional development, innovation and exceptional patient care.

Benefits

• State-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance staff experience and patient outcomes.
• A teaching hospital environment with opportunities to contribute to student education and clinical learning.
• Dedicated outdoor staff spaces and landscaped gardens that support staff wellbeing.
• Convenient access to Westpoint shopping centre, approximately 10 minutes' walk away.
• Accessible transport and parking options, including proximity to Blacktown train station, onsite paid parking and all-day street parking.

You will receive a comprehensive orientation, role-specific training and ongoing support from experienced colleagues to help you succeed.

What you'll be doing

As a Senior Occupational Therapist (Level 4), you will provide high-level, evidence-informed occupational therapy services to forensic mental health patients. Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, you will use your clinical expertise to understand complex functional needs, deliver targeted interventions and support recovery, rehabilitation and pathways towards greater independence.

Your responsibilities will include

• Assess patients' occupational performance, functional capacity and rehabilitation needs, developing and evaluating individualised treatment programs.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary risk assessments, risk management strategies, care planning and coordinated discharge planning to support safe and sustainable community reintegration.
• Prepare comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and reports, including documentation to support Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) processes.
• Work closely with nursing colleagues, multidisciplinary teams, government and non-government organisations, community providers and relevant support services, including NDIS pathways.
• Contribute to quality improvement, research, clinical practice initiatives and student education while building a dynamic and responsive occupational therapy service.

Make a difference with us At NSW Health, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career, collaborate with dedicated professionals and help create better health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

Essential Requirements

• Qualification: Tertiary Graduate Qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Registration: Current full registration with AHPRA for Occupational Therapy
• Significant Mental Health clinical experience with a multidisciplinary team environment providing Mental Health evidence based practice with within a rehabilitation paradigm.
• Demonstrated experience working in partnership and collaboratively with NGO service partners and within WSLHD or JH&FMHS or similar teams and services and other key stakeholders including primary care providers.
• Experience working in forensic (criminal) settings and jurisdictions
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) and ability to build therapeutic relationships with clients and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to access, plan, initiate, manage complex cases, work to goals and targets, for both individual and group work in Mental Health setting.
• Provide high quality reports and written documentations to a diverse range of service providers and stake holders throughout all organisational levels
• Current Drivers Licence valid within Australia and willing to use for work purposes.

Applications Close: 16th November 2026.

People with disabilities who meet the selection criteria are encouraged to apply; and where required, WSLHD will implement reasonable adjustment consistent with industry standard.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Stepping Up aims to assist Aboriginal job applicants by providing information about applying for roles in NSW Health organisations.

For more information, please visit https://www.steppingup.health.nsw.gov.au/ .

Blacktown hospital car parking allocation model is changing. There is a managed waitlist for parking for new staff commencing at Blacktown Hospital. This does not apply to staff with a disability parking permit.

Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.

For inquiries about the role, contact Dr John Basson on 28670 3212 or Patricia Rovis on 02 8670 3226.