Occupational Therapy Emergency Department Level 4 - Locum

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Monthly Allocated Days Off

4 weeks annual leave

6 weeks annual leave (nurses)

Paid parental leave

Salary packaging options

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

NSW Health in Tamworth is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist Level 4 for a locum role in the Emergency Department. You will support timely discharges, complete assessments for admissions, and help reduce ED visits through thorough evaluations.

This role also involves mentoring colleagues and guiding complex cases in a busy hospital setting. You will lead and upskill ED staff, coordinate equipment, and contribute to a proactive culture of learning and patient-centred care while

Qualifications

• Current Authority to Practice with AHPRA.
• Extensive experience building cooperative professional and therapeutic relationships.
• Experience developing care plans for complex clinical situations.
• Ability to provide clinical leadership to individuals and teams.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate timely discharges and improve bed flow in a fast-paced ED.
• Complete assessments for admissions and support home visits when needed.
• Mentor acute OT colleagues and share strategies for bed block challenges.
• Upskill ED staff and coordinate equipment for the department.

Skills

Authority to Practice with AHPRA

Clinical leadership

Team collaboration

Discharge planning

Job description

Occupational Therapy Emergency Department Level 4 - Locum

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:TemporaryFull 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: TamworthHospital
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

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.

Requirements

• Occupational Therapist with current Authority to Practice with AHPRA
• Extensive experience and demonstrated ability to build and maintain co-operative professional and therapeutic relationships
• Demonstrated extensive clinical experience in their field, and ability to develop clinical care plans for complex clinical situations
• Extensive experience with meeting the supervision needs of other staff and students.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership to individuals and teams

For role related queries or questions contact Trudy Wheeldon on **************@health.nsw.gov.au

What we can offer you

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
• 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

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.

Information for Applicants

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 *********@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefitssuch as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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