VCID No: 753012

• 1 permanent full-time position (1.0 FTE) at ICAMHS South (Peel). Part-time hours may also be considered.
• 1 permanent full-time position (1.0 FTE) at ICAMHS East (Midland). Part-time hours may also be considered.
• 2 fixed-term leave cover contracts for 6 months (1.0 FTE) at ICAMHS North (Hillarys), with the possibility of extension and/or permanency. Part-time hours may also be considered.

About Our Team:

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Western Australia offer support, advice and treatment to children and adolescents from birth to 18 years who are experiencing mental health challenges.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Occupational Therapist to join the multi-disciplinary team in our Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. CAMHS offers community based mental health assessment and interventions for children and young people up to the age of 18 years who experience significant mental health concerns with a severe impact on their functioning.

As a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will apply advanced skills in Occupational Therapy practice to plan and implement specialist therapeutic interventions, screening, and assessments to children and adolescents with significant mental health concerns. You will be an integral part of our supportive and collaborative multi-disciplinary team comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, Aboriginal mental health workers, lived experience workers and administrative staff. You will play a key role in helping our young patients and their families establish practical and attainable goals, promoting the highest level of function in various aspects of their lives.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Assessment:Conducting comprehensive occupational therapy and mental health related assessments to understand the young persons’ strengths, challenges, and needs related to mental health.
• Treatment: Develop individualised occupational therapy treatment plans in collaboration with the young person, family, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Skill development: Working with young people to develop and enhance skills necessary for daily life activities, such as self-care, school performance, social interaction, emotional regulation, and leisure activities.This may include addressing sensory processing difficulties to help regulate sensory input and improve self-regulation skills.
• Collaboration and Education: Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, educators, caregivers, and community resources to ensure holistic and coordinated care for the child or adolescent. They also provide education and training to families, caregivers, and school personnel on strategies to support the individual's mental health and participation in daily activities.
• Transition Planning:For adolescents transitioning to adulthood, OTs assist in planning and facilitating the transition to adult mental health services, vocational opportunities, independent living, and other aspects of adult life.
• Representing CAMHS and engaging with stakeholders across CAMHS sector on relevant initiatives.

Our dedicated Occupational Therapists adopt a holistic and child-centred approach, grounded in a bio-psychosocial model of care. We are committed to maximising a child’s potential through building and recovering skills and strategies that enable participation and engagement in everyday activities - from self-care, through to pursuing personal goals, enjoying school, social interactions, play, relationships, and leisure - ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life. CAMHS believe that working together yields the best results. Our multi-disciplinary teams prioritise knowledge sharing, and opportunities to work collaboratively and learn with and from other disciplines, and we believe in lifting each other up - we support each other in terms of professional growth and development, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. CAMHS actively develop relationships with local schools and service providers. This collaborative approach enhances our understanding of mental health and the unique needs of our young patients and their families.

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert. 

How to apply

We welcome your application via the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the bottom of this page.

Your ability to meet the work-related requirements will be assessed throughout the recruitment process. For your written application please provide the following:

• A current resume and cover letter which summarises your experience and how you are able to meet the position requirements.
• Evidence of your tertiary qualification in Occupational Therapy and eligibility for registration by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. (Essential criteria 1).
• A written statement addressing Essential Criteria 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 per the Job Description Form, including relevant examples, in no more than 3 pages maximum.
• The name, email and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a reference. Referees should include at least one individual who has been or is your direct Line Manager/Supervisor. We will contact you to seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees.

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Role related questions: We encourage you to contact Kristy Riches – Professional Lead Occupational Therapy via Kristy.riches@health.wa.gov.au or on 0479 188 863 with any specific questions related to this role.

*Suitability Criteria: Suitability recognises that there is a range of factors - along with having the skills, knowledge and abilities - that constitute merit. These factors included a person's eligibility, ability to demonstrate the right behaviours, ethical alignment and cultural fit. In addition to the Essential Criteria and Desirable Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form, these requirements will also be considered to determine your suitability for the role. 

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form. 

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia. 

This position is subject to a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, applicants found suitable for this position may be considered for other ‘similar’ vacancies within CAHS and/or the wider WA public sector. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision. These can be permanent full time, permanent part time or fixed term full time, fixed term part time opportunities with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

Other Conditions: Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. 

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview. You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially. 

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted.  

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.