Research Occupational Therapist

At Cerebral Palsy Alliance, we value diversity, foster an inclusive culture and champion equitable opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences including people with disability, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Join us and make a positive difference to the lives of people with disabilities, and to grow your career as part of our alliance of great minds. Our shared values are Passionate, Respectful, Ethical, Curious and Courageous.

The role

The Research Occupational Therapist will conduct assessments, provide intervention and research support for early intervention clinical trials in cerebral palsy undertaken by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary research team which is affiliated with the Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health in the Faculty of Medicine, but primarily located at the Brain and Mind Centre, at the University of Sydney (Camperdown). Travel will be required as needed within the Sydney Metropolitan area (e.g. sites: Head Office at Allambie Heights, Sydney Children’s Hospital at Westmead; home visits: Sydney Metropolitan area, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong).

This role is a Maternity leave cover, expected to run for 12 months. We offer flexibility and would consider full time or part time arrangements.

Responsibilities of the role (not limited to):

• Provide occupational therapy intervention and conduct assessments within clinical trials for infants and young children with cerebral palsy
• Collect, input, and clean research data to maintain data integrity and quality in preparation for analysis and publication
• Conduct thorough literature searches reviews and prepare information to support the development of peer reviewed publications, protocols, ethics submissions, grant applications and conference presentations
• Support ethics and governance administration across sites and studies
• Coordinate with researchers and administrative staff from multiple departments and institutions to ensure research milestones are met
• Participate in research team meetings and provide reports on progress and issues requiring resolution

Essential criteria

• Undergraduate qualification in Occupational Therapy and at least 5 years’ experience in childhood disability including cerebral palsy
• Extensive experience in paediatric occupational therapy, including working with infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy and their families

• General Movements Assessment certification
• Experience with conducting a variety of CP specific and other paediatric assessments
• Solid computer skills using relevant software for quantitative research, e.g. REDcap, EndNote, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Excellent organisational and administration skills, including the ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated well-developed scientific writing skills with proven ability to effectively analyse literature and produce clear, succinct high quality outputs, including website content, publications and presentations for a diverse audience
• Flexibility to work at multiple work sites across Sydney as needed
• A current WWCC and a national police check or willingness to obtain prior to commencement in the role

Desirable but not essential:

• Prior involvement in conducting clinical trials in cerebral palsy eg delivering per protocol intervention and /or data collection

About Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Cerebral Palsy Alliance has supported people with disabilities for over 75 years. Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy research, advocacy, intervention, and assistive technology innovation. Our research and innovation inform our world-class services, which include early childhood intervention, therapy, health and wellbeing, sports, assistive technology, independence skill building, supported accommodation and employment services. Find out more at cerebralpalsy.org.au.

Our employee benefits include:

• Flexible leave options that enable you to maintain a good work-life balance
• Highly competitive remuneration package that offers tax free benefits
• Comprehensive training and professional development opportunities at Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the University of Sydney
• Health and wellbeing benefits such as discounted gym memberships, annual wellbeing allowance, and free flu vaccinations

Important information

At CPA the safety of our staff and clients is of paramount importance. We have assessed this role type as requiring a medium level of physical functionality with some inherent requirements. For more information on what that may mean for this role please click here.

Please let us know if you have any pre-existing injuries or illnesses which you are currently seeking, or have sought, medical treatment for which you think may impact your ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of this role. CPA is committed to supporting an inclusive work environment and engaging workers with diverse lived experience. We will happily consider and accommodate reasonable adjustments that may be required to support candidates throughout the recruitment process, and to be successful and safe employees of CPA.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff. As such all employees at CPA must be triple vaccinated against COVID-19, prior to their start date. Cerebral Palsy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cerebral Palsy Alliance upholds, advocates for, and protects the rights, wellbeing and safety of people with a disability. We are a child safe organisation and all workers are responsible to adhere to the NDIS Worker Code of Conduct.

CPA is a smoke free workplace including in, on and around CPA sites and vehicles.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your application.

If you have any questions about the role or require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to equitably participate in the recruitment process please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Research Occupational Therapist enquiry via EthicalJobs.