Occupational Therapist

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract until 30/6/2022

Employment Category: Full Time

Remuneration: $96,350 – $125, 874.44 per annum + superannuation + salary sacrifice

Commencement Date: ASAP

About the Opportunity

The Occupational Therapist reports to and is directly accountable to the Community Health Programs Manager. Working in collaboration with the Speech Pathologist, the team delivers an education focused health program known as the Jiji Program to the Martu people of the four remote Aboriginal communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritji.

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for promoting positive outcomes for children and their families/carer’s through individual and group interventions. The Jiji Program is primarily based in schools providing teachers with training and techniques to assist learning, however can also occur in other family settings (E.g.: painting centres, camping and outdoor activities). The Jiji Program operates in partnership with Curtin University requiring the Occupational Therapist to facilitate provision of high quality clinical learning experiences through effective teaching practice.

To view the ful l Position Description and Selection Criteria Click Here or visit http://www.puntukurnu.com.au/

Position Responsibilities

Your role will be based across the four remote Aboriginal communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritji, with administrative support from our Newman hub. Your role will involve:

• Professional Development Workshops – You will be responsible for the support and implementation of culturally appropriate professional development workshops, programs for individual children and classes and the training of school staff to enhance relationships between the school, community and external health service providers.
• Clinical Program – You will work in collaboration with the Speech Pathologist to undertake a range of assessments and intervention programs.
• Cultural Inclusion in Program – You will incorporate techniques to ensure cultural complexities are responded to during delivery of services to Martu communities
• Teaching and learning – Liaise with Curtin University and Edith Cowan University to establish annual program of student placements.

About You

To be considered you will meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy or equivalent tertiary qualifications and eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
• At least 3 years post graduate experience in Occupational Therapy, demonstrating a sound professional competency in planning, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy services.
• Strong understanding and a commitment to the principles of Community Development.
• Understanding of the principles of the model of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
• A demonstrated understanding of the unique issues affecting and impacting on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• An ability to work, reside and travel independently in a remote region.

You will also ideally identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be acknowledged as such by your community however this is not an essential requirement for the role.

The position involves working with a multicultural organisation where the majority of staff, clients and stakeholders identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

As per section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) PAMS actively seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and stakeholders and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Please note: In addition to the above skills and experience, the successful candidate will require an unrestricted WA “C” Class Driver’s License, and be required to submit a National Police Clearance (dated within 3 months) and Working With Children Check (where applicable) prior to appointment, in order to be eligible for the position.

Applicants for this position must be legally entitled to work in Australia and will be required to provide evidence of this entitlement. Acceptable evidence includes an Australian or New Zealand passport, birth certificate, or foreign passport with relevant visa.

About the Benefits

While you will face diverse new challenges in the role, you will also enjoy an attractive remuneration package including a base salary of $96,350 – $125, 874.44 per annum plus superannuation. You’ll also gain access to generous salary packaging options, which will greatly increase your take home pay.

In addition, you will have access to a number of fantastic benefits including:

• 5 weeks’ annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• Support to further invest in your career
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retention Initiatives in accordance with the PAMS Employee Remuneration Policy

This position offers the opportunity to work closely with remote Aboriginal communities and make a drastic impact to the health and well-being outcomes of these communities.

As this role is based in remote community locations you must be willing and able to travel long distances by 4WD car or in light aircraft.

Please note there is no closing date for this advertisement. Applications will be assessed as received and interviews scheduled accordingly. PAMS reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement without further notice, therefore we encourage interested candidates to submit their application without delay.

For further information about this position please call Aakriti Yadav, HR Advisor on (08) 9177 8307.