You may be a graduate or experienced clinician; the most important thing is that you are willing to learn and share your knowledge! The position is full time, 5 days per week, during school terms (no school holiday work).

Nepean School is a government school for students aged 5-18 years and caters for students who have a physical disability and/or significant health impairment. We are passionate about education and learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of challenges they may face. Our students engage with therapy in the classroom as part of their education program.

As a member of our team, you can gain exposure to a broad range of paediatric conditions including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, epilepsy, hypermobility disorders, autism spectrum disorder and a variety of genetic conditions. You will also develop skills suitable for working in a variety of special needs areas.

At Nepean School we strongly believe that the best outcomes arise from teamwork, and that is reflected in our commitment to working in a transdisciplinary team. Nepean School has an extensive therapy team, made up of experienced physiotherapists, occupational therapists, music therapists, and speech pathologists. We work closely within our transdisciplinary team, consisting of therapists, teachers, class assistants, psychologists, nurses, families, and of course, the students themselves. We work together to design and implement engaging learning and therapeutic programs to support our students and their families to reach their goals.

About the role

We pride ourselves on our ongoing commitment to learning and teamwork. This position offers:

• Paediatric occupational therapy experience.
• Ongoing clinical supervision from senior Occupational Therapist.
• All therapy delivered within a group-based model alongside teachers.
• Provision of therapy to students in real, authentic environments such as in the yard, mealtimes, in the classroom and in the community.
• Weekly therapy specific peer-peer learning program (professional development, case studies, peer reviewing articles).

• Opportunities to learn Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (e.g. PODD, Key Word Sign/Auslan, electronic communication devices).
• Generous annual leave provided during school holidays.
• Continuity of care (the same caseload across the whole school year).

As part of the Nepean School team, you will be working closely with the Teaching, Education support and Therapy staff to provide regular class-based occupational therapy sessions to our students. These sessions have a focus on access to learning, and may include aspects of handwriting, fine motor skills, play, sensory regulation, social and emotional regulation, alternative access to technology, movement, community skills and independence with life skills.

In this role you will:

• work with students and their teams to assess students’ access to their learning and create functional goals.
• support students to understand and identify strategies to regulate their sensory and emotional systems.
• use your knowledge of assistive technology to prescribe therapeutic equipment such as postural supports, wheelchairs, mounting and adaptive equipment.
• learn about other therapy disciplines, apply them to your practice, and share your knowledge with your team.
• participate in Student Support Groups and other planning meetings to share your expertise.
• Increase students daily independence with life skills and support with meal time equipment set-up and skill development

Successful applicants will have:

• Recognised tertiary qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Current AHPRA registration and WWCC
• Strong teamwork skills (ability to work with a variety of allied health and teaching disciplines)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• A keen and proactive attitude to life-long learning
• An emphasis on continuity of care (preferred candidates will commit to the whole school year).

key selection criteria:

• SC1: A knowledge of the use and application of a wide range of interventions to assist children with a physical disability to participate in school-based activities; including play, sensory regulation, social and emotional regulation, alternative access for learning, fine-motor and life skills.
• SC2: An understanding and commitment to using adaptive equipment to support participation and engagement across the school environment.
• SC3. Demonstrated exemplary communication and interpersonal skills when working with students, families, colleagues, and other professionals.
• SC4. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in collaboration with therapy and teaching teams to devise programs that establish and extend a student’s functional skills in a range of contexts.
• SC5. Highly developed organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently, utilise effective time management strategies, establish priorities and meet deadlines.

Please click Apply now to submit your application.