Occupational Therapist

Location: Retirees WA Inc. Joseph Banks Aged Care Facility & Salter Point Aged Care Facility as required.

Mission

To provide a safe, homely and welcoming environment for older people in Western Australia, respecting the independence, dignity and individual needs of every person in our care.

Philosophy

Retirees WA recognises that:

• Every Consumer is a unique individual with physical, emotional, cultural, social and spiritual needs.

• Every Consumer has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

• Every Consumer has the right to make informed decisions and choices about their life, care and services.

• Consumer independence, autonomy, privacy and dignity are to be protected and promoted.

• Care and services should support each Consumer to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Role Purpose

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing safe, evidence-based, person-centred occupational therapy services to Consumers of Retirees WA.

Working collaboratively with Consumers, representatives, nursing staff, care staff, allied health professionals and management, the Occupational Therapist assesses and supports mobility, function, independence, safety and quality of life.

The Occupational Therapist contributes to the development and review of Mobility Plans, Care Plans, falls prevention strategies, pain management programs, equipment recommendations, manual handling practices and individualised rehabilitation programs.

The role is expected to support Retirees WA's clinical governance and continuous improvement systems and to deliver services consistent with professional requirements and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. The strengthened Standards have applied since 1 November 2025 and include dedicated requirements relating to clinical care, person-centred care and provider governance.

Key Objectives and Responsibilities

1. Occupational Therapy Assessment and Service Delivery

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments within professional scope of practice.

• Assess Consumers' mobility, transfers, functional capacity and ability to undertake activities of daily living.

• Assess and document falls risks and functional risks.

• Complete post-fall assessments and recommend interventions to reduce further risk.

• Complete mobility and functional reviews following hospitalisation or significant changes in condition.

• Develop individualised rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

• Develop, document and regularly review Mobility Plans.

• Contribute to the development and review of Consumer Care Plans.

• Assess Consumers for appropriate mobility aids, seating, positioning and assistive equipment.

• Provide recommendations regarding equipment and environmental modifications.

• Evaluate Consumers' responses to therapy interventions and modify interventions as required.

• Promote independence while recognising the Consumer's dignity of risk.

• Facilitate individual and group exercise or functional programs where appropriate.

• Ensure all assessments, recommendations and interventions are documented accurately and promptly.

2. Falls Prevention and Mobility Management

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Provide clinical leadership in falls prevention and mobility management.

• Conduct post-fall reviews as required.

• Identify contributing functional and environmental risk factors.

• Recommend appropriate falls prevention interventions.

• Review mobility aids and equipment following changes in Consumer function.

• Collaborate with nursing, care and allied health teams to implement falls prevention strategies.

• Analyse falls trends and contribute to clinical improvement initiatives.

• Prepare for and chair the monthly Falls Meeting, as directed.

• Monitor actions arising from falls reviews and multidisciplinary meetings.

3. Pain Management and AN-ACC Support

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Participate in Consumer assessments relevant to AN-ACC requirements.

• Ensure occupational therapy assessments and interventions are appropriately documented.

• Contribute relevant clinical information required to support Consumer care needs.

• Take responsibility for relevant occupational therapy components of the organisation's pain management program.

• Monitor Consumer responses to therapeutic interventions.

• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team regarding pain, mobility and functional outcomes.

4. Consumer-Centred Care and Rights

The Occupational Therapist will promote care where each Consumer:

• Is treated with dignity and respect.

• Maintains their identity, independence and individuality.

• Is involved in decisions relating to their care.

• Is supported to make informed choices.

• Has their privacy and confidentiality protected.

• Has their cultural, spiritual, social and personal preferences respected.

• Is supported to participate in meaningful activities and occupations.

• Is supported to maintain independence wherever reasonably possible.

• Is supported to live the life they choose while appropriately managing risk.

These principles align with the strengthened Quality Standards' focus on dignity, individuality, independence, choice, culturally safe care and dignity of risk.

5. Clinical Leadership and Supervision

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Guide, supervise and support Occupational Therapy Assistants and Therapy Assistants as applicable.

• Develop staff capability in safe mobility and transfer practices.

• Ensure delegated therapy activities are clearly communicated and monitored.

• Provide education and practical guidance to nursing and care staff.

• Participate in multidisciplinary clinical meetings.

• Promote effective communication between allied health, nursing, care and management teams.

• Provide appropriate handover when Consumer needs or risks change.

• Escalate clinical concerns promptly to the appropriate senior clinician or manager.

6. Manual Handling and Staff Education

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Support safe Consumer handling and transfer practices.

• Provide recommendations regarding individual Consumer transfer requirements.

• Participate in manual handling risk assessments.

• Support and deliver manual handling education during mandatory training sessions as required.

• Provide ongoing practical education and competency support to staff.

• Identify unsafe practices and escalate concerns when necessary.

• Promote appropriate and safe use of mobility and transfer equipment.

7. Clinical Documentation

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Maintain accurate, objective and timely clinical records.

• Document assessments, interventions, recommendations and Consumer outcomes.

• Ensure Mobility Plans and relevant Care Plans remain current.

• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of Consumer information.

• Record significant changes in Consumer condition and escalate appropriately.

• Maintain documentation consistent with organisational, regulatory and professional requirements.

8. Quality, Safety and Continuous Improvement

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Participate actively in Retirees WA's Continuous Improvement program.

• Contribute to clinical audits, quality indicators and improvement initiatives.

• Participate in incident reviews relevant to falls, mobility, equipment and occupational therapy services.

• Identify hazards and clinical risks and take appropriate action.

• Support infection prevention and control requirements.

• Contribute to audit and accreditation readiness.

• Maintain an understanding of applicable aged care legislation, professional obligations and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

• Promote evidence-based practice and Consumer safety.

9. Communication and Teamwork

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Communicate effectively and professionally with Consumers, representatives and staff.

• Communicate clinical recommendations clearly in verbal and written form.

• Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team.

• Participate constructively in meetings and clinical reviews.

• Seek clarification or assistance when required.

• Maintain positive professional relationships across both Retirees WA facilities.

10. Professional Practice and Development

The Occupational Therapist will:

• Practise within professional scope, competence and registration requirements.

• Maintain current professional knowledge and skills.

• Complete continuing professional development requirements.

• Participate in mandatory organisational education.

• Maintain professional presentation and conduct.

• Participate in performance review and professional development planning.

• Maintain awareness of contemporary developments and evidence-based practices in aged care and occupational therapy.

AHPRA states that registered health practitioners must meet applicable registration standards and confirm annually that they continue to meet registration requirements.

Qualifications, Registration and Experience

Mandatory Requirements

• Recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy enabling registration in Australia.

• Current registration as an Occupational Therapist with AHPRA.

• Evidence of right to work in Australia.

• Required screening and checks applicable to working in residential aged care.

• Demonstrated ability to undertake occupational therapy assessments and develop appropriate interventions.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Ability to use electronic clinical documentation systems.

The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, in partnership with AHPRA, regulates occupational therapists in Australia.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in residential aged care.

• Experience in falls prevention and mobility management.

• Experience in dementia care.

• Knowledge of AN-ACC.

• Experience with pain management programs.

• Experience supervising Therapy Assistants.

• Knowledge of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

• Experience in manual handling assessment and staff education.

Personal Attributes

The Occupational Therapist is expected to:

• Treat Consumers, representatives and colleagues with dignity and respect.

• Demonstrate compassion, professionalism and integrity.

• Be reliable and accountable.

• Respect diversity and individual differences.

• Maintain a non-judgemental approach.

• Work collaboratively toward common goals.

• Remain calm and professional when responding to changing clinical circumstances.

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.

• Be receptive to feedback and continuous improvement.

• Demonstrate behaviours consistent with Retirees WA's values and Code of Conduct.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Consumers

• Families, representatives and supporters

• Facility Manager

• Clinical Nurse Manager

• Clinical Care Coordinator

• Registered and Enrolled Nurses

• Personal Carers

• Occupational Therapy/Therapy Assistants

• Lifestyle Team

• Other Allied Health Professionals

• Administration, Quality and Support Services staff

External

• General Practitioners

• Allied Health providers

• Hospitals and health services

• Equipment suppliers

• External assessors and regulatory bodies

• Other health professionals involved in Consumer care

Work Health and Safety

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for:

• Performing duties in a manner that protects their own safety and the safety of others.

• Complying with Retirees WA Work Health and Safety requirements.

• Reporting hazards, incidents and near misses.

• Using equipment safely and appropriately.

• Following infection prevention and emergency procedures.

• Maintaining the physical capacity necessary to safely perform the inherent requirements of the position.