Claims Treatment Specialist – Occupational Therapy

EML is a leading Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Claims Management business. Our goal is to help people get their lives back through ongoing support during their return-to-work journey. We continue to experience ongoing growth and now have over 4,000 dedicated employees. We foster a learning culture that allows for us to continually invest in our employees ensuring a long-term career here at EML.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As part of our diverse Sydney‑based team, you’ll help make a positive impact on someone’s life every day. You’ll feel great satisfaction knowing your expertise and professional judgement directly contribute to meaningful recovery and functional outcomes for injured workers.

In the Claims Treatment Specialist – Occupational Therapist role, you will utilise your occupational therapy expertise to review the appropriateness and effectiveness of occupational therapy and functional rehabilitation services within workers compensation claims. A key focus of the role is educating rehabilitation providers and internal Case managers to ensure functionally focused, evidence‑based reports, high‑quality Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessments, and clear justification for recommended services and provisions.

You will support claims teams by ensuring the right clinical and functional questions are considered when assessing requests. This includes evaluating whether assessments and interventions are functionally supported, goal‑directed, and aligned with SIRA’s Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services.

You will work closely with treating occupational therapists and other rehabilitation providers to improve report quality, clarify functional capacity, and ensure recommendations for support, equipment, services, and home modifications are appropriate, proportionate, and clearly linked to functional goals and recovery outcomes. You will also play an important role in building the capability of operational team members through education and clinical guidance.

This dynamic role suits someone who enjoys clinical reasoning, collaboration, education, and continuous improvement.

This is a full‑time, 12‑month contract position, based in the Sydney office, with flexibility to work from home up to 3 days per week.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement strategies to optimise occupational therapy and functional rehabilitation management, with a focus on quality, consistency, and functional outcomes.
• Critically evaluate ADL assessments, functional capacity evaluations, and rehabilitation reports to ensure recommendations are functionally justified, evidence‑based, and clearly articulated.
• Provide clinical opinions and file reviews, analysing medical records, functional assessments, and rehabilitation documentation to inform claim decisions.
• Liaise, communicate, and negotiate with treating occupational therapists, rehabilitation providers, medical practitioners, and specialists to clarify functional needs, refine treatment plans, and address report quality.
• Educate and support treating providers to improve the standard of functional assessments, reporting clarity, goal setting, and justification for services, aids, equipment, and provisions.
• Identify the need for, and refer to, external services such as Independent Occupational Therapy Consultants, Functional Assessments, or Independent Medical Examinations where required.
• Provide education and guidance to claims teams and other operational stakeholders on occupational therapy principles, functional assessment, ADLs, and best‑practice rehabilitation approaches within workers compensation claims.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving treatment outcomes, return to work outcomes, provider engagement, and internal decision‑making capability.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current professional registration with AHPRA
• Demonstrated experience in clinical occupational therapy practice, including functional and ADL assessment
• Strong understanding of disability, injury management, and functional rehabilitation best practice
• Proven experience working within the personal injury sector, possibly with exposure to workers compensation insurance and relevant legislation
• Highly developed clinical reasoning skills with the ability to translate functional findings into clear, practical recommendations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging, educating, and negotiating with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong written skills, with a focus on report quality, clarity, and functional justification
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite

WHAT WE OFFER

We stand together as equals. EML is an equal opportunity employer so by coming to work for us, you will be part of a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. We are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone feels valued and where we show respect, integrity and honesty.

EML provides career opportunities and great employee benefits, including:

• A diverse and collaborative team culture like no other

• Flexibility to work from home to support work/life balance

• A corporate wellbeing program with discounted health insurance and gym membership

• Generous discounts from over 350 retailers through our RewardsHub program

• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential

• Access to support and counselling services with work or personal matters, through our Employee Assistance Program

• Companywide events to stay connected and celebrate success

• Entitlement to annual company incentive scheme + salary reviews

• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave, plus super
  

We value our people and are committed to supporting our employees by investing in their professional development and providing generous employee benefits. If this position is of interest to you, please apply now.