Occupational Therapy Jobs
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages. They evaluate their needs, and use a variety of activities, therapies, interventions, and special equipment to help their clients develop (or recover), improve, and maintain the skills they need to look after themselves and attain their goals. OTs help children develop fine motor skills to improve handwriting, or help adults recover gross motor or cognitive skills after a brain injury. For people who have suffered functional decline as a result of accident, injury, disability, disease or age – OTs can help modify their living environment so they can move around more easily and achieve more every day. OTs undertake a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Honours and register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (AHPRA).
Allied Health Assistants work in aged care, disability, community and clinical allied healthcare settings. They assist Allied Health practitioners, such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists or Dietitians, in applying evidence-based treatments and exercises for a variety of clients and conditions. This includes clients who are old and frail, have disabilities, have rehabilitation needs after injury or surgery, or have chronic illness. They fill out paperwork and documentation, work in multi-disciplinary teams and liaise with health care staff, providers, patients and families. They may run evidence-based group exercise classes or provide an outreach service for people in their own homes. To work as an Allied Health Assistant, employers usually require a Certificate III or Cert IV in Allied Health Assistance, or other health qualification, or relevant industry experience.