Senior Occupational Therapist - Community Geriatrics

Ageing Australia; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 108,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

SA Health in Daw Park, SA, seeks a Senior Occupational Therapist to lead in community geriatrics. You will conduct holistic assessments, create care plans, and coordinate services to support ageing in place.

You will work within a geriatrician-led, multidisciplinary team, managing a complex caseload and delivering person-centred solutions that maximize independence and safety for older adults in their homes.

Qualifications

• Qualification as an Occupational Therapist and eligibility for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage a caseload with autonomy.
• Experience undertaking comprehensive assessment and intervention for clients with complex needs.
• Strong skills in care coordination and collaborative care planning.
• Well-developed communication and relationship-building skills with clients, families and GPs.
• High-level written communication skills and clear clinical documentation.
• Commitment to quality improvement and achieving positive outcomes for older people.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert clinical input relating to cognition, dementia, functional ability, home safety and independence.
• Coordinating services and facilitating access to community supports and appropriate accommodation options.
• Collaborating with clients, families, GPs, community agencies and aged care providers.
• Contributing to interdisciplinary service development, quality improvement and clinical planning activities.
• Supporting best practice care and positive outcomes for older people within the community.

Skills

Autonomy

Caseload management

Cognition assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Documentation

Education

OT degree

Job description

Senior Occupational Therapist - Community Geriatrics

Sa Health - Daw Park, SA

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Occupational Therapist to join our highly regarded Community Geriatrics Team. This is a unique opportunity to work at an advanced clinical level, supporting older people with complex health needs to maintain independence, safety, and quality of life in their own homes.

As a senior clinician within a specialist, Geriatrician-led multidisciplinary team, you will manage a diverse and rewarding caseload, using your occupational therapy expertise to deliver comprehensive assessments, develop innovative care plans, and advocate for positive client outcomes.

Why join our team?

• High levels of clinical autonomy and the opportunity to work at the full scope of your profession
• A varied and complex caseload, including clients experiencing cognitive impairment, dementia, frailty, falls, functional decline, reduced mobility, delirium, malnutrition, and responsive behaviours
• The chance to build long-term therapeutic relationships with clients and families while supporting ageing in place
• Working within a supportive interdisciplinary team alongside Geriatricians, nursing, allied health professionals and community partners
• Opportunities to develop advanced skills in geriatric assessment, case management, care coordination, dementia care, discharge planning and complex decision-making
• The satisfaction of making a genuine impact on the lives of older people by helping them remain safe, independent, and connected to their communities

About the Role

The Community Geriatrics Team provides specialist care to older adults with complex medical, functional and psychosocial needs across the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN).

Working as a Senior Occupational Therapist and Case Manager, you will provide holistic assessment, intervention, care planning and coordination for older people living in the community. You will work closely with clients, families, carers, GPs, community services and external stakeholders to develop practical, person-centred solutions that support wellbeing and independence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert clinical input relating to cognition, dementia, functional ability, home safety and independence
• Coordinating services and facilitating access to community supports, home-based services and appropriate accommodation optionsWorking collaboratively with clients, families, GPs, community agencies and aged care providers
• Contributing to interdisciplinary service development, quality improvement and clinical planning activities
• Supporting best practice care and positive outcomes for older people within the community

The role reports to the Advanced Nurse Unit Manager, GEM@Home and Community Geriatrics, and professionally to the Director of Occupational Therapy.

About the Candidate

You are an experienced Occupational Therapist who is passionate about working with older people and enjoys the challenge and reward of managing complex clinical presentations.

You will possess:

• Qualification as an Occupational Therapist and eligibility for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
• Proven ability to work independently, make sound clinical decisions and manage a caseload with a high degree of autonomy
• Experience undertaking comprehensive assessment and intervention for clients with complex needs, particularly those experiencing cognitive impairment or dementia
• Strong skills in care coordination, problem solving and collaborative care planning
• Well-developed communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, families, GPs and community partners
• High-level written communication skills, including preparation of clear, concise and timely clinical documentation and reports
• A commitment to quality improvement, professional excellence and achieving positive outcomes for older people

Salary $108,347.00 - $116,216.00 p.a. (Pro Rata) AHP3| Full Time - Contract until May 2027., National

South Australia

Building skills and capacity in the aged care sector