Occupational Therapy Emergency Department Level 4 - Locum

NSW Health; Tamworth; On-site; AUD 132,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome Experience

Nearby Services

Monthly Days Off

4 Weeks Leave

6 Weeks Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Fitness Passport

EAP

Job summary

NSW Health's Tamworth Hospital is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist Level 4 to join the fast-paced Emergency Department on a locum basis. You will assess patients of all ages, facilitate timely discharges, and support bed flow while providing expert guidance on complex cases.

In this role you will mentor acute OT colleagues, upskill ED staff, and coordinate equipment. CPD support and AHPRA registration are required, with weekend coverage and a strong teamwork culture emphasized.

Qualifications

• Ability to identify and triage potential clients and begin interventions without referral.
• Recognise and assist in other clinical areas to facilitate discharge and reduce bed block.
• Strong communication skills and a great team player.
• Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA.

Responsibilities

• Work in Tamworth ED with patients of all ages to keep care moving.
• Facilitate timely discharges and assess those needing admission.
• Support weekend coverage and improve bed flow.
• Mentor acute OT colleagues and share strategies.
• Upskill ED staff and coordinate equipment.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team player

Triage & assessment

Clinical judgment

Education

Authority to Practice with AHPRA

Job description

Occupational Therapy Emergency Department Level 4 - Locum

Hunter New England Local Health District

REQ699348

Join our team as an Occupational Therapist and make a meaningful difference by empowering people to live more independently, confidently and to their fullest potential.

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until July 2027

Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 4

Remuneration: $131,585 - $134,775 per annum + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ699348

Location: Tamworth Hospital

Applications Close: Wednesday, 28th October 2026

Where you'll be working

Tamworth Hospital, a major Rural Referral Hospital on Kamilaroi Gamilaraay Country, is home to a busy emergency department team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals serving the New England region. Within this team environment, you will work closely with physiotherapists, social workers, and pharmacists to deliver holistic care. Our close-knit acute Occupational Therapy team values inclusivity, shared learning, and mutual support. You will play a key role in providing expert guidance on complex cases, mentoring colleagues, and contributing to weekend acute service coverage. This is a great opportunity to join a team that loves teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and making a real impact together.

The Opportunity

As the Level 4 Occupational Therapist, you’ll be at the heart of Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital’s fast-paced emergency department, working with patients of all ages, to keep care moving and prevent unnecessary admissions. You will help patients get home safely and sooner by facilitating timely discharges, efficiently completing assessments for those who need admission, and reducing repeat Emergency Department visits through comprehensive evaluations. This may include completing home visits and using assistive technology where needed. You’ll play a key role in improving bed flow and easing pressure on acute services, while also stepping up on weekends to keep things running smoothly.

Beyond patient care, you’ll be a trusted mentor supporting acute OT colleagues with complex cases and sharing strategies to tackle bed block. Education is an important part of the role too - you’ll regularly upskill ED staff, supervise other staff and coordinate equipment for ED. This is a unique role for someone who loves problem-solving, teamwork, and making a real impact on patient journeys.

You’ll receive a comprehensive orientation to HNELHD and the Tamworth facility, ensuring you feel confident and connected from day one. We know that continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for maintaining AHPRA registration, so this is very much supported! Our OT department has a strong, well-established culture of learning, collaboration, and professional growth, with regular opportunities for education, skill-building, and knowledge-sharing.

About You

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist that can display the below qualities.

The ability to identify and triage potential clients and not have to wait for referral to commence interventions.

The ability to recognise and assist in other clinical areas when required to facilitate discharge and reduce bed block.

Strong communication skills and a great team player.

Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA

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:

• Relocating? The Welcome Experience offers free support to help you and your family settle into your new community.
• 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
• 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 temporary full or part time vacancies.
• 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.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

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 [e-mail] 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.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.