Occupational Therapy Team Leader

Northern Kids Therapy is one of the largest multi-disciplinary paediatric allied health service in the North-East. We provide family-centred and evidence-based Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Key Working, Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Therapy Assistant services to children from birth through to adolescence.

Based in a large clinic in Mill Park, Victoria, Northern Kids Therapy offers clinic based and mobile therapy services across the North-Eastern Metropolitan Area.

Over the past 12 months, we've been diligently working behind the scenes to craft a strategic plan aimed at revolutionising service delivery and propelling our business to a national scale. Now, we're thrilled to announce the imminent launch of an exciting rebranding initiative, that we will roll out over the coming months and you will get the opportunity to be a part of!

We're thrilled to extend an invitation to experienced Occupational Therapists to join our leadership team as the Occupational Therapy Team Leader on a full-time basis.

In this role, the Occupational Therapy Team Leader will play a pivotal role in offering clinical and professional guidance and supervision to our Occupational Therapy team. 

They will have the chance to maintain and hone their own professional skills by working directly with clients. Responsibilities include conducting screenings, formal and informal assessments, providing reports, training and coaching parents, caregivers, therapy assistants, and educators, as well as designing and implementing evidence-based therapeutic programs on both individual and group levels.

Team Lead and Operational Responsibilities:

• Conducting one-to-one supervision of each Occupational Therapist on the team, adopting a coach approach to the development of clinical skills of the Occupational Therapy Team.
• Conducting annual performance and well-being reviews with members of the Occupational Therapy team. 
• Assisting with the recruitment of clinical staff to the organisation. This may also include participating in the interview process, completing reference checks for applicants and selection of suitable staff for clinical roles. 
• Onboarding and offboarding Occupational Therapy team members. This may include conducting orientation and induction, supporting exit procedures and client handovers when required. 
• Supporting the Allied Health Manager and Client Liaison Officer team with caseload allocations that are aligned with the Occupational Therapy team's preferences, skills and experience.
• Monitoring the achievement of Client Support Hours (CSHs) and caseload allocations to ensure financial viability and sustainability of Northern Kids Therapy to deliver on its mission and vision. 
• Guiding and coaching the Supporting Occupational Therapy Team Lead to support the learning and development requirements and goals of the early career Occupational Therapists on the team. 
• In collaboration with the Allied Health Manager, coaching and developing the skills of the Supporting Occupational Therapy Team Lead to conduct clinical supervision and team support. 
• Ensuring the Occupational Therapy team is consistently working in line with ethical principles, standards of practice and the policies and procedures set out by Northern Kids Therapy, OT Australia and AHPRA. 
• Actively participating and contributing to the ongoing development of effective working relationships with other key services, referrers and stakeholders, building a strong collaborative practice approach with internal and external partners in service delivery
• Managing feedback and complaints related to clinical services in a compassionate and timely manner.

Clinical and Service Delivery Responsibilities:

• Implementing evidence-based Occupational Therapy intervention to clients  within the clinical setting or their natural environment.  
• Conducting screenings and assessments (both, formal and informal) to  evaluate and measure the client’s fine/gross motor, play, self-care and sensory and emotional regulation capabilities. 
• Contributing to capacity building interventions by supporting clients and their carers/educators in generalising new skills into natural settings such as in their home or in the classroom through coaching, training and modelling effective strategies. 
• Keeping detailed records relating to client conditions, care plans, therapies, and progress. 
• Reporting progress and current status to appropriate parties, which may  include family members, teachers, or medical professionals. 
• Identifying barriers that may restrict the client’s physical, emotional, cognitive and/or social development, well-being or participation. 
• Updating and/or develop resources as required.  
• Participating in regular training, development, supervision team projects, and reflective practice.  
• Complying with legal and certification requirements at all times.

• We're a forward-thinking practice that is always looking for new ways to innovate and strengthen how services and supports are provided to the children and families we serve.
• We're entering our next growth phase as a business, so someone that loves a challenge and is motivated to grow with us will thrive. We are also about to roll out a complete rebrand of our clinic and enact our strategic plan for the growth and expansion of our service offerings on a National scale. 
• We value career progression and are committed to life-long learning. We provide flag-ship training programs, regular supervision and mentoring, a generous personal professional development budget (with paid study leave), leadership coaching and fortnightly internal professional development. 
• We're more than a clinic - we're a community. We actively foster positive relationships with our clients and staff through regular family events and other social and community engagement initiatives. 
• We have a flexible, supportive and fun team and working culture with regular funded opportunities for team bonding and building.
• Above award salary-based package plus superannuation and leave loading.
• We're a workplace that values mental health and self-care. We also offer a workplace EAP. 

• A Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)
• At least 3+ years’ clinical experience working as an Occupational Therapist  with a predominant paediatric caseload (desired)
• Experience managing, coaching, supporting or supervising Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy students (desired)
• Member of Australian Health Practioners’ Regulation Authority (AHPRA)
• Current Working with Children’s Check (Employment)
• Police Check
• Current Driver’s License and reliable, comprehensively insured car (desired)
• Ability to register for a Medicare Provider Number

If this sounds like a great fit for you, please submit your resume & cover letter detailing your interest via the SEEK link.

Applications close: 16/04/2024 (suitable applicants may be contacted prior to the closing date and invited to interview for the position). 

For all enquiries about this role, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Enquiries to: Talia Pulis (Chief Executive Officer) or Angela Karamalakis (Allied Health Manager)

Ph: 03 9070 0***

E: ****@northernkidstherapy.com.au

www.northernkidstherapy.com.au 

Check us out on Instagram and Facebook - @northernkidstherapy