Occupational Therapist

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Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About the Youth Prevention and Recovery Centre

The Mental Health Division provides care and services through a comprehensive range of teams to meet the needs of mental health consumers and carers throughout Victoria. Services are located across Austin Health campuses and in the community.  All mental health services work within a clinical framework that promotes recovery-oriented practice and supported decision making. This approach to client wellbeing builds on the strengths of the individual working in partnership with their treating team. It encompasses the principles of self- determination and individualised treatment and care. 

Austin Youth Prevention and Recovery Centre (YPARC) is a newly established  service to Austin ICYMHS and will provide a safe and inclusive residential mental health service for young people (16-25 years) who are “stepping down” from inpatient mental health care or “stepping up” from the community.  YPARC will offer young people a place to consolidate their community transition and recovery treatment plans.   Operating in partnership with MIND Australia, YPARC offers 24-hour high-quality mental health care combining clinical, psychosocial, and peer support. The service helps young people consolidate their recovery plans while building connections to primary health and community supports that foster long-term resilience and self-management. 

About the role 

As the Grade 2 Occupational Therapist, you will support the provision of comprehensive clinical sub-acute mental health care for young people and their families of the Austin YPARC Service. This is an ongoing, full time position.

A regular day will see you:   

• Provide evidence-based occupational therapy assessments and interventions for young people with diverse mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and substance use
• Contribute occupational perspectives on sensory processing, trauma-related behaviors, and co-regulation strategies
• Develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic group programs in collaboration with MIND Australia psychosocial and lived experience staff
• Deliver brief therapeutic interventions addressing distress tolerance, emotional resilience, and wellbeing
• Support milieu management through innovative programming tailored to young people's variable needs 

About you 

As the Occupational Therapist  you will be someone who has excellent communication skills, with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care. You’ll bring energy and drive to your work, and have a keen interest in developing your skillset.

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Occupational Therapist
• Minimum 2 years in mental health clinical practice, including work with young people
• Advanced skills in assessment and management of high-risk situations
• Ability to develop and evaluate client-centered service plans, risk assessments, and formulations
• Understanding of mental health recovery principles, trauma-informed practice, and youth mental health systems 

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Christine Denton, Child and Family Centre Manager at Christine.Denton@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Thursday 18 December 2025