Occupational Therapist: Outdoor Therapy | Animal Assisted Therapy

Join us in Adventure! Occupational Therapists of ALL experience levels welcome to apply. 

Do you have an interest in outdoor and nature-based experiences?

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children, youth and families?

Are you looking for a supportive team that values sustainable, quality services, and provides opportunities to flourish? 

If so, we would love to meet you!

Who We Are:

At Adventure Therapy Services, our mission is to support recovery and facilitate growth in the lives of children, youth and families. We do this by sharing the empowering qualities of animals and nature and building skills for life. 

What Makes Us Different:

• A beautiful outdoor clinic location, including bushland, wildlife, a huge dam and horses for equine Assisted Therapy
• Comfortable office space located on the outdoor clinic property, giving you the best of both worlds - movement breaks have never felt more refreshing!
• A like-minded, positive and supportive team, and a values-based organisation
• Options to mix up your work location to add diversity - work from home, the outdoor clinic, in schools/kindergartens and clients homes
• Options to mix up your day to diversify your workload - face to face sessions, Telehealth, report writing

Benefits of the Position:

• Individualised onboarding program, including foundational training resources, development of a personalised professional development plan and opportunities to shadow experienced OTs and/or Allied Health Assistants for 1-4 weeks
• Opportunity to build your caseload at your own pace to encourage learning, experience with other team members and overall sustainability in the role
• Generous compensation to ensure suitable admin time, report writing and professional development
• Access to a variety of shared online resources and physical equipment for therapy, including ‘zen zones’, art and cooking supplies, sensory items and games for engagement and motor skill development
• Administrative support, including access to our online client management system, task management system and all Google Workspace applications, and management of appointment scheduling, client intake, onboarding and offboarding, bookkeeping and sending Telehealth information, etc. So that you can focus on what you do best.
• Ongoing 1:1 supervision with an allocated mentor
• Ongoing 1:1 meetings with management to provide additional support
• Peer supervision, training and networking
• Generous annual professional development budget
• Opportunity to tailor your caseload to your professional interests and areas of specialisation
• Flexibility to structure your work week in a way that suits you best
• Regular team building and social events

Key Services, Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide direct OT services for a varied clinical caseload (a range of ages and conditions) 
• Deliver services in a range of environments, including our outdoor clinic, community settings and via Telehealth
• Create, monitor and review individualised client therapy goals and treatment plans with an evidence-based approach
• Refer to and oversee the implementation of therapy programs delivered by an Allied Health Assistant (AHA)
• Evaluate the need for referrals to other disciplines
• Provide Parent Coaching OT services via Telehealth and/or face to face
• Provide Care Team Coaching and Collaboration - support team communications can come in many different shapes and sizes, such as team meetings, phone calls, email updates, reviewing shift summaries and team education.
• Facilitate and/or support the provision of social group programs
• Complete session notes and follow-up administration through utilisation of online systems, including Power Diary (client management), Monday.com (task management), and Google Workspace applications
• Complete OT documentation required for the management of NDIS participant funding, including Reassessment Reports, Functional Capacity Assessments and Supporting Letters
• Adhere to all privacy laws that regulate the handling of personal information

Essential Skills:

• Open and effective communication (verbal, non-verbal, written & electronic) with clients, families, carers, AHAs, OTs and service providers
• Willingness to learn & openness to change
• A positive, proactive and client-focused approach
• Autonomy and effective organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Sound awareness and understanding of the functional and social impact of disability, and the importance of social inclusion
• Ability to take initiative and independently seek support as required
• Ability to use computer programs and platforms including Windows, Microsoft Office and Google Workspace Applications
• Be friendly, fun, engaging and passionate about helping people

Desired Skills:

• Experience handling horses
• An understanding of fundamental horsemanship principles
• Experience with wildlife, dogs and other domesticated animals
• Experience with the NDIS and NDIS participants
• Experience providing services via Telehealth
• Experience creating resources for clients, such as visual schedules, communication books, social stories, etc.

Qualifications & Documentation:

• Qualifications in Occupational Therapy
• Current AHPRA registration
• Eligibility for Medicare Provider status
• Working with Children’s Check
• First aid certificate
• Police check
• TFN
• ABN (contractors only)
• Independent Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance 
• Unrestricted Australian Driver’s Licence
   

Equipment Required (supplied by yourself):

• Car
• Laptop
• Smart phone
• Reliable internet connection in all work locations
• Therapy equipment, tools and resources 

More About Adventure Therapy Services:

Please refer to www.adventurets.com.au for information on our services, our team and our clients. 

If you're ready to make your work & life a meaningful adventure, join a vibrant team and build on your strengths and interests, apply today via SEEK or by sending your resume and a cover letter to our admin team at *****@adventurets.com.au. 

Our outdoor clinic is located in Pakenham, VIC, 3810.  

Additional Notes & Information:

• Please note that this is an independent contractor role and not an employee role. However, it does not require that you have prior experience operating as an independent contractor. If the position description sounds like a good fit for you, then please express your interest and we will provide you with further information. 
• This role description is inclusive of but not limited to the services, duties and responsibilities listed above. For example, as you gain experience and knowledge in the role, you may be offered to engage in business management and development projects related to improving client services and/or team experiences.