Senior Occupational Therapist
If you want to make a real impact on the lives of others join Galway Simon Community where we work towards eliminating homelessness through advocacy, education and campaigning in line with our values of compassion, community and collaboration.
Contract Details Permanent Contract, Part-Time, 30 hours per week
Location Galway, Mayo, Roscommon
Salary HSE Senior Occupational Therapist salary scale, 01/03/2025, €63,279-€74,509 (pro-rata)
Benefits
25 Days Annual Leave (pro rata)
Employee Assistance Program
Education Assistance Program
Employee Pension Scheme
Occupational Sick Leave Policy
Bike to Work Scheme
Death in Service – 2x basic salary
Mileage covered
Job Summary
The Senior Occupational Therapist will provide clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary team supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, with a primary focus on the Housing First Programme.
This role is delivered within a biopsychosocial, occupationally focused model of care, integrating social and medical interventions, and is informed by harm reduction and trauma-informed principles. It requires skilled, assertive engagement with individuals with complex and enduring needs in community-based, non-clinical settings.
The role involves working with individuals experiencing complex and enduring health, mental health, and addiction challenges, supporting clients to:
- Sustain tenancies
- Improve functional independence
- Support recovery and wellbeing
- Enable participation in meaningful daily activities and community life
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Practice & Leadership
- Lead the delivery of high-quality occupational therapy services for individuals with complex and enduring needs.
- Complete comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and develop evidence-based, person-centred intervention plans.
- Provide consultation and guidance to multidisciplinary team members on occupational therapy approaches.
- Promote best practice in working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, addiction, and trauma.
- Ensure all interventions align with Housing First principles, including harm reduction, recovery orientation, and client choice.
Housing First & Complex Needs Focus
- Deliver targeted interventions to support tenancy sustainment, independent living, and community integration.
- Engage proactively with individuals who experience barriers to engagement using assertive outreach approaches.
- Address functional, cognitive, environmental, and social factors impacting a person’s ability to maintain housing.
- Support clients to build daily living skills, routines, structure, and meaningful participation in community life.
Multidisciplinary & Partnership Working
- Play a key role within the MDT, contributing to integrated care planning and coordinated service delivery.
- Participate in and lead case reviews, case conferences, and care planning processes as required.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external partners across health, housing, and community services.
- Represent occupational therapy within internal and external forums as required.
Supervision & Service Development
- Provide clinical supervision and support to staff grade occupational therapists, assistants, and students as required.
- Contribute to the development, expansion, and continuous improvement of occupational therapy within homelessness services.
- Identify service gaps and support innovation to enhance service delivery and respond to emerging needs.
Quality, Audit & Evidence-Based Practice
- Lead or contribute to clinical audit, outcome measurement, and service evaluation.
- Ensure practice is informed by current evidence, national frameworks, and professional standards.
- Support the development and monitoring of outcomes aligned to Housing First and tenancy sustainment.
- Participate in research activity and contribute to service learning and development.
Planning, Organisation & Performance
- Manage and prioritise individual and group caseloads in line with service demands and clinical priorities.
- Monitor and report on service activity, outcomes, and key performance indicators as required.
- Demonstrate initiative and innovation in delivering services within resource constraints.
Documentation, Governance & Compliance
- Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with professional standards and organisational systems (e.g. Inform).
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, data protection, and confidentiality requirements.
- Prepare reports, assessments, and service-level data as required.
- Contribute to policy development, audit systems, referral pathways, and integrated care processes.
Professional Standards & Development
- Work in accordance with CORU standards, AOTI guidelines, and relevant legislation.
- Engage in ongoing CPD, supervision, and reflective practice.
- Contribute to quality assurance initiatives, including alignment with the NQSF framework.
- Maintain awareness of policy, legislative, and professional developments in occupational therapy and homeless services.
Health, Safety & Risk Management
- Identify, assess, and manage risks associated with community-based work.
- Adhere to organisational health and safety policies and procedures.
- Report incidents, hazards, and near misses, and support a culture of safe practice.
Relationship Building & Team Working
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across teams, services, and external stakeholders.
- Advocate effectively on behalf of clients, supporting access to services and positive outcomes.
- Work collaboratively within the MDT to support coordinated, person-centred care planning.
Essential Requirements:
- Applicants must hold a relevant university degree (Level 8 or equivalent), or Masters or an equivalent qualification in Occupational Therapy.
- CORU registration or eligibility to register with CORU.
- 3 years relevant post qualification experience as an Occupational Therapist.
- Experience supervising Occupational Therapy students and/or Occupational Therapy Assistants.
- Strong communication, leadership and team-working skills
- Experience in community-based or outreach settings
- High level of IT and clinical documentation skills
- Have a valid and full clean manual drivers licence & full access to own car for work purposes.
Desirable
- Experience of working with mental health, addiction, recovery and trauma informed approaches to care would be a distinct advantage.
- Experience of working with complex care needs and clients with challenging behaviours.
- Commitment to Social Inclusion.
- Knowledge and/or experience of the Housing First model
- Familiarity with harm reduction approaches and recovery models
To apply:
If you have any questions or require any further information about this position, please contact the HR department by phone: 091 381828 or by email: [email protected]
Closing date 21 /06/2026
Galway Simon Community is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
