Occupational Therapist

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a collaborative professional team and contribute to the achievements of the team through well-developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills.
SC2 Ability to contribute to the design and delivery of professional learning to other relevant professionals, in the area of Occupational Therapy combined with a demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
SC3 An ability to build rapport and therapeutic relationships with students of varying disabilities, cultural backgrounds and experiences.
SC4 Plan and implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals, and agencies when appropriate, and manage the associated risks.
SC5 Work collaboratively with the school to contribute to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
Role At Bendigo Special Developmental School, the Occupational Therapist plays a crucial role in providing specialist support services.
This requires a high level of competence in delivering occupational therapy services by providing exceptional service and leadership to all members of the school community.
Professionalism, confidentiality, consistency, courtesy, and efficiency are key qualities that the Occupational Therapist must exhibit.
The primary responsibility of the Occupational Therapist is to administer and implement the occupational therapy program at Bendigo Special Developmental School.
This includes supporting and empowering teaching staff to develop successful individual learning programs for students, with the goal of maximizing their ability to participate independently in a range of activities throughout the school day.
The Occupational Therapist's role involves providing consultative and direct clinical services within the school environment, developing and planning individual and group-based services for students, staff, and parents, and liaising with external agencies to provide equipment and service delivery.
In addition, the position requires providing direct assistance to students, as well as communicating professional development and educational resources to teachers and parents.
In addition to these responsibilities, the Occupational Therapist will contribute to the operational and strategic planning of professional occupation therapy services within the school.
Services are school-based and tailored to the identified needs and curriculum-based objectives of the students.
The delivery model is integrated into the classroom and collaborative with the family and other involved community agencies.
Responsibilities Design, develop, and implement Occupational Therapy services for students in classrooms, individual, and group settings in consultation with the Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher and in collaboration with principal class, teachers, and parents in the school communities.
Collaborate with teaching teams to establish goals for students within the framework of Individual Educational Programs (IEPs).
Develop, implement, and evaluate treatment and learning programs according to each student's individual needs in coordination with teaching staff.
Work closely with teachers, parents, and other community agencies as necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes for students at Bendigo Special Developmental School.
Provide written and verbal assessments for engaged agencies, teachers, and parents, and maintain records and relevant documentation in student files.
Collaborate with other allied health staff.
Utilise specialist knowledge of specific therapies, programs, and case management strategies in the education setting to provide occupational therapy services.
Provide occupational therapy consultancy to teachers, including support in the development of individual educational programs and classroom management.
Establish and maintain links with community resources and agencies.
Maintain appropriate records and provide written and oral reports as required.
Recommend appropriate equipment according to students' needs and liaise with external agencies as appropriate.
Liaise with and educate parents, care givers, and staff on student progress and specific therapies and/or equipment.
Liaise with external health professionals involved with the care of each child as necessary.
Assess and write appropriate reports for the Disability inclusion profiles as required.
Conduct oneself in line with all school and departmental policies and procedures, as well as those outlined by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and OT Australia.
Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS Commitment Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction.
Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all.
We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.
The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.
It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability.
Child Safe Standards Victorian government schools are child safe environments.
Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards.
All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at: Location Profile VISION A place of excellence in education that creates inclusive communities and success for all.
VALUES Driving learning growth Valuing diversity with kindness and respect Uniting to achieve excellence Ensuring equity of opportunity Bendigo Special Developmental School employs a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework to support student engagement and learning.
Our mantras, which double as our values, are for all members of our school community to Act Safely, Show Respect and Be Your Best.
SCHOOL PROFILE The Bendigo Special Developmental School provides education programs for school aged students 5 to 18 with a moderate to severe intellectual disability.
Our students reside in the Bendigo Region encompassing Kyneton, Wedderburn, Heathcote and Huntly.
The current enrolment is 160 students.
DOE and VCAA curriculum guidelines are followed at the school, with all students being taught seven subjects and the four capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum (the school is exempt from teaching languages).
The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, coupled with the Science of Reading and the Science of Mathematics is used to design and implement an individualised education plan (IEP) for each student, co-designed with their parents/carers and possible external NDIS professionals during regular Student Support Group (SSG) meetings.
Staff work in Professional Learning Communities to collaboratively plan and moderate student learning and achievement.
Providing a voice for all students through their individualised communication system is paramount to their successful engagement in learning.
Classroom spaces encompass both permanent and portable buildings and learning is supported by an extensive range of educational equipment and communication aids.
Bendigo Special Developmental School is currently in Stage 1 of a 4 stage rebuild process, with the first stage of this rebuild due to be finished in October 2025.
A hydrotherapy pool, multipurpose room, student kitchen, truncated bicycle track with a range of adapted bicycles, coupled with specialist subjects areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), Health and Physical Education including swimming and water safety instruction, Music and the Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, Humanities, Digital Technologies, SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behaviour Support) and RRRR (Rights Resilience and Respectful Relationships) enrich programs.
Student health and safety is paramount, and a secure and stimulating outdoor environment, with challenging play equipment and shadeport sun protection provide play and regulation experiences for the students.
This school is committed to respecting the dignity of the individual and providing students with disabilities with maximum opportunity to extend their academic, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development in a safe and positive environment.
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