Occupational Therapist (OT) jobs in Brisbane
Occupational Therapists are in high demand in Brisbane and all of Queensland at the moment, with lots of businesses, health services and hospitals seeking Occupational Therapists. In many cases, businesses have long waitlists of clients waiting to see an Occupational Therapist.
There are lots of types of Occupational Therapy jobs available in Brisbane and Queensland at the moment. Some of the most common are outlined below.
Public Hospital Occupational Therapy jobs
QLD Health operates hospitals around the state of Queensland, and is always generally advertising for Occupational Therapists. Many QLD Health Occupational Therapy jobs are advertised as temporary contracts, though some are offered on a permanent basis.
Occupational Therapists in QLD hospitals work across most wards doing a range of work, from assessments, to rehab, splinting, equipment prescription and home modifications, and patient home safety assessments to facilitate discharge. In many cases, OT’s will work alongside outpatient or community-based OT’s or service providers.
QLD Health have fantastic information on their website about working as an OT within their service. Head to the QLD Health website to read all about it.
QLD Health community and out-patient Occupational Therapy jobs
Occupational Therapist’s are employed by QLD Health in community-based roles all around the state. These roles are generally specific to a particular client group or type of Occupational Therapy work. For example, community-based OT’s may be employed to conduct equipment prescription or home modifications for clients, or for mental health assessment and screening, or for working with older Australians. There are a wide variety of community-based roles available to Occupational Therapists.
QLD Health have information on their website about working as an OT within the community. Head to the QLD Health website to read all about it.
Private hospital Occupational Therapy jobs
Many private hospitals employ OT’s to work across their hospitals. Occupational Therapists may be employed on specific wards, or may work across a number of different wards within the hospital depending on the size of the service.
Aged Care Occupational Therapy jobs
Working in aged care can be a highly rewarding role for Occupational Therapists. OT’s are employed by both private and non-profit aged care providers and may work in community-based roles, or within Residential Aged Care Facilities (which may also be known as RACF’s, Assisted Living or Nursing Homes). This type of work can include assessments, advocacy, equipment prescription, ADL training, home and environment modifications.
OT Australia, the peak body for Occupational Therapists within Australia, have further information about working within aged care in Australia on their website.
Disability (NDIS) Occupational Therapy jobs
Working with children and adults with a disability or chronic mental health condition can be a very rewarding choice for Occupational Therapists. The Australian government provides individual funding (called an NDIS package) to Australian’s with a disability for use on services and supports they need to build their capacity or support them in their daily life. As a result, Therapists of all sorts are in high demand, especially Occupational Therapists. Occupational Therapists working in this space can specialise in certain population groups or types of work, including but not limited to:
Equipment prescription
Home modifications
ADL therapy
ABI/TBIAdults
Mental health
Babies, children and young people
Assessments and reports
There are a wide range of employers in this sector, including small suburban and regional private practices, larger multi-disciplinary private businesses, non-profits and large national service providers. Working in this space suits OT’s with a liking for report writing, however there are plenty of roles that are involve mostly face-to-face therapy.
OT Australia has a page on their website with information about the NDIS, and working in this sector as an OT.
Graduate Occupational Therapy jobs
If you’re a new graduate Occupational Therapist, there are plenty of opportunities across all sectors for jobs in your first year out. Most public health, private and non-profit organisations of a medium-large size have specific new graduate programs, and typically advertise from June-October for new graduate roles commencing in the following January. There will also be plenty of jobs advertised in the first half of the year, for positions that weren’t filled, vacant roles and for anyone with a mid-year finish starting to look for graduate roles. There are usually plenty of ad hoc job ads for new graduate or early year therapists throughout the year, as businesses look to fill roles and provide the necessary training and supervision to enthusiastic graduates. Some smaller businesses and organisation may also offer new graduate roles, and these can be fantastic opportunities which typically have lots of support and may be in specific niche’s or fields of work – so a great option for an OT who knows what they want to focus on, and finds an opening in this space.
Jobs for experienced Occupational Therapists
Experienced OT’s are in high demand across Brisbane and most of Queensland. Most sectors of employers are looking for OT’s, with waitlists in private practices and healthcare services quite lengthy in many cases. Experienced OT’s generally have a wide range of roles to pick from, and employers are looking for therapists with a solid grounding in clinical reasoning, great communication and rapport building skills, excellent time management and an adaptable and resilient attitude. In many cases, employers are generally happy to negotiate with OT’s around flexible work arrangement, preferred client population groups, supervision requirements, professional development opportunities and salary and benefits. In some sectors, especially QLD Health, it can be common for most opportunities to be contract or temporary options. If this is the sector you are wanting to enter, taking on a temporary role can be a great way to get a foot in the door to more permanent or longer-term opportunities.