Casual therapy assistant (3rd or 4th year OT student)
Our Mindful Youth | Melbourne (Naarm) + surrounding suburbs | Casual
Hi OT students! I'm an occupational therapist and director of Our Mindful Youth, a practice based in Melbourne (Naarm). I work with young people and young adults, mostly women, many of whom are neurodivergent. My approach is strengths-based, neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed, and I use arts-based occupational therapy alongside everyday skill-building.
I'm looking for one casual therapy assistant to help my clients put their goals into practise, at home and out in their community. It'd really suit a 3rd or 4th year OT student who wants real-world experience with close, supportive supervision.
What you'll do
You'll work with about three of my clients, some under 18 and some in their twenties. Sessions are about 2.5 hours. I set the goals and plan for each person, and you'll help them practise the skills and routines that matter to them. This might include:
- daily living skills at home, like cooking, routines, organisation and self-careÂ
- community outings, like shopping, catching public transport, appointments, and social or creative activitiesÂ
- writing a short, respectful note after each session, using an online form that goes straight into my practice system
Assessments, goal setting, reports, clinical decisions and driving lessons stay with me. If something comes up that's outside the plan, you just stop and call me.
How I'll support you
I'll introduce you to each client before you work with them on your own. For each person, we'll do a session with me leading skill building via a meeting together, and I'll sign off before you begin to work with clients independently.Â
For the first three months we'll check in every fortnight (a phone call is fine), and I'll read every session note. After that, we'll have monthly supervision, plus a review of each client's plan every six weeks. I'm reachable by phone during every session.
I'm also happy to talk about how this experience fits with your studies.
Hours and pay
- A casual role, employed through my payroll (it's not a contractor or ABN role)
- Paid under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, Support Services Level 4: $36.81 an hour including the 25% casual loading, plus super
- Around 6 hours a week, on weekdays between 9 am and 6 pm, planned around your uni timetable
- Each shift is paid for at least 3 hours, which covers the session plus time for notes and prep
- Travel between clients during a shift is paid time, and you'll get a per-kilometre car allowance when you use your car for work, plus reasonable expenses like parking
- Starting December 2026
What you'll need
- To be studying occupational therapy, in 3rd or 4th yearÂ
- A full driver's licence, a reliable car, and car insurance that covers business useÂ
- The right to work in Australia (international students are welcome, within your visa work conditions)Â
- Two references, one of whom can speak to working safely with children or young people
Before you start, you'll also need:
- a Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee)Â
- an NDIS Worker Screening Check the NDIS Worker Orientation Module certificate (it's free online)Â
- current first aid and CPR
It'd be lovely if you also have:
- experience with neurodivergent young people, through work, placement or lived experiencean interest in creative approachesa calm, flexible and curious way of working, and you're comfortable asking for help
Driving clients
This role does not include driving clients. Transporting clients in a personal vehicle brings licensing and insurance risks that we don’t want our staff or clients to carry. TAs will not be asked to drive clients to appointments, activities, or any other location, or to ride with them in a personal vehicle. If a client needs transportation, it will be arranged through approved providers or the client’s family or caregivers.
Child safety
My practice follows Victoria's Child Safe Standards. Everyone who works with me signs my code of conduct and does child safety training at induction, and I ask about child safety when I check references.
Everyone's welcome here
I'd love to hear from people of all backgrounds. I encourage neurodivergent people, First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ people and people with disability to apply. If you'd like any adjustments to applying or interviewing, like getting the questions ahead of time, just let me know.