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Occupational Therapists are health professionals who assist people to overcome difficulties or limitations in their daily life. These difficulties may be caused through accident or injury, through disease or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. These problems can be physical, cognitive, perceptual or psychological in nature. Occupational Therapists work with people from all walks of life. People of all ages. People with or without disability. People of all cultures and backgrounds. Occupational Therapists work together with people and their life situations to make decisions that are both personally meaningful and therapeutic. The Occupational Therapist’s goal is to assist each individual to reduce the difficulty they experience, to move from dependence to independence, and maximise their safety, personal productivity, well-being and quality of life.
An Occupational Therapist is a university-trained health professional. Their role is to maximise a client’s independence, safety and quality of life by minimising the impact of the client’s impairments and building on their strengths and skills. This is done by assessing and addressing the barriers raised by disease, injury, development and ageing. OTs often use education and rehabilitation to develop a person’s performance in everyday activities. This is what we refer to as ‘occupation’. Occupational Therapy is a health profession concerned with promoting the health and well-being of individuals through occupation. The term occupation refers to activities of everyday life including work, play/leisure and self-care. The primary goal of Occupational Therapy is to enable individuals to participate in occupation by enhancing their abilities or modifying the environment to better support participation. Occupational Therapists believe that participation can be supported or restricted by social, physical and legislative factors. Therefore, Occupational Therapy practice is often directed to changing aspects of the environment to enhance participation in occupation for either individuals or groups of people. Clients of Occupational Therapists are actively involved in the therapeutic process. Therefore the outcomes of Occupational Therapy are diverse, client-driven and measured by participation and or client satisfaction […]
University Studies Occupational Therapists are required to have completed approved training in order to register and practice in Western Australia. Currently the required training includes a minimum of a four-year Bachelor Degree at university; although Occupational Therapists who trained many years ago or trained overseas may also register and practice if their training is recognised and approved by the Registration Board (please refer to National Registration for more information). Some universities also offer a two year postgraduate Occupational Therapy degree. Occupational Therapy training varies in focus at different universities. There are many Occupational Therapy Schools in universities across Australia, not including international schools and training facilities. The contact information for some of these universities is listed on the Links Page of this website. As there are various methods of entering into university studies, not only through year twelve university entrance exams (TEE/TER or other equivalent exams), we would advise you contact Admissions or Administration Office at the university you wish to attend for specific entry requirements. It is often suggested that students have a background in sciences such as biology or chemistry. This is not essential, but will prove helpful during Occupational Therapy training. For current Occupational Therapy course information from […]
Occupational Therapists work with all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial settings. Occupational Therapists can be found working in a variety of different locations and situations, including: * Public & Private Hospitals * Mental Health Wards, Centres, Clinics and Hostels * Private Practice * Retirement & Nursing Homes * Schools * Industry * Government Departments * Vocational Rehabilition Centres * Medical Rehabilitation Centres * Community Health Centres * Home Care Services * Tertiary Education Centres * Independent Living Centres * Associations (eg. Association for the Blind, Arthritis Foundation)
Work experience in Occupational Therapy is very hard to come by, particularly due to the demands on Occupational Therapists to supervise Occupational Therapy students in fieldwork or practicals during the course of their degree. Needless to say, you may have success if you enquire of various Occupational Therapy Departments at workplaces who employ large numbers of Occupational Therapists. For a list of major hospitals and other services please refer to the Yellow Pages (www.yellowpages.com.au).
In order to practice Occupational Therapy in Western Australia you need to qualify for and maintain annual registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Please find details on the Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website. http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx Resources for finding a job, once registered include: * WA Occupational Therapy Association Website (Members Only Section includes both locum and other Occupational Therapy positions) * Newspaper Advertisements (West Australian Newspaper www.thewest.com.au) * Agencies Seek.com.au WA Government jobs – jobs.wa.gov.au * Major Hospitals Fremantle Hospital Alma St, FREMANTLE, 6160 Contact: Reception on (08) 9431 2098 (+61 8 9431 2098) Graylands Hospital (Mental Health) Brockway Rd, MT CLAREMONT, 6010 Contact: Reception on (08) 9347 6733 (+61 8 9347 6733) Joondalup Health Campus Cnr Shenton Ave and Grand Boulevard, JOONDALUP, 6027 Contact: Reception on (08) 9400 9432 (+61 8 9400 9432) Osborne Park Hospital Osborne Place, STIRLING, 6021 Contact: Reception on (08) 9346 8198 (+61 8 9346 8198) Princess Margaret Hospital for Children Roberts Rd, SUBIACO, 6008 Contact: Reception on (08) 9340 8803 (+61 8 9340 8803) Royal Perth Hospital Wellington St, PERTH 6000 Contact: Reception on (08) 9224 2133 (+61 8 9224 2133) Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Hospital Ave, NEDLANDS, 6009 Contact: Reception on (08) […]
To work as an occupational therapist in Australia, you need to apply for and be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. You may also need to apply for a visa issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (Australian Immigration Department). These two application processes are entirely separate and success in one does not automatically guarantee success in the other. Other links which may assist http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/overseas-qualification-unit/how-to-apply-for-an-overseas-qualification-assessment https://internationaleducation.gov.au/services-and-resources/services-for-individuals/qualifications-assessments/pages/qualification-assessment.aspx https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Services-And-Resources/Pages/Qualifications-Recognition.aspx http://www.border.gov.au/Busi/visas-and-migration/visa-entitlement-verification-online-(vevo) The revised Registration Standard: English language skills came into effect on 1 July 2015. This registration standard applies to all occupational therapists applying for initial registration, regardless of whether they qualified in Australia or overseas http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx
A person may be referred to an Occupational Therapist by many means. The most common referrals are from a doctor (GP or specialist), or other health professional, friend, relative, or direct contact from a client. Occupational Therapists are often employed in the public sector, and individuals may receive Occupational Therapy services through hospitals, community centres, clinics and the like. There are also many Occupational Therapists working in Private Practice in Western Australia. For contact details and areas of specialty of Occupational Therapists in Private Practice, please refer to the Find An OT section of this website https://www.waota.com.au/find-an-ot/
Fees for Occupational Therapy vary according to the type of setting and nature of intervention. Fees may be subsidised by government centres or covered by health insurance, motor vehicle or workers’ compensation insurance. (Please note: in the public health system there is often no fee charged directly to the recipient of Occupational Therapy services).
Practising Occupational Therapists in Western Australia are required to be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. For full information go to the Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website. Occupational Therapists must have completed a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy at a certified training institution. Occupational Therapists are trained in many disciplines, some of which include: * Human Biology * Social & Behavioural Science * Occupational Science * Occupational Therapy Theory & Practice * Communication * Management * Research University degree courses in Occupational Therapy vary in structure nationally and internationally. Training includes both theoretical study and considerable fieldwork or practical experience with clients under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapy courses are very popular and there is considerable competition for places. Postgraduate courses are also available at Masters and Doctorate levels, for people who have completed an undergraduate degree. Currently in Western Australia a four year Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy is offered at Curtin University of Technology (https://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au/schools/occupational-therapy-social-work-speech-pathology/) and Edith Cowan University (http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/medical-and-health-sciences/study-with-us/occupational-therapy). Please contact the Occupational Therapy Schools at each university to find out about any course information (undergraduate or postgraduate) – https://www.waota.com.au/useful-links/
* The practice of Occupational Therapy in Australia is regulated and Occupational Therapists are required to be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx * Occupational Therapy Standards of Conduct and Practice, registration fees and other relevant information is available for download from http://www.waota.com.au/links-forms/national-registration-for-ots/ * World Federation of Occupational Therapists (www.wfot.org) * In addition to the above requirements, Occupational Therapists are often governed by standards or requirements of their individual workplace/s (eg. government, schools)
* Access * Aged Care * Arthritis * Burns * Disability * Driver Training * Equipment & Aids * Ergonomics * Hand & Upper Limb Therapy * Health Promotion & Wellness * Injury Prevention & Management * Lymphodema Management (including Compression Garments) * Medico-Legal Assessment * Mental Health & Counselling * Neurology * Occupational Health & Safety * Orthopaedics * Paediatrics * Pain Management * Palliative Care * Rehabilitation * Research * Soft Tissue Therapy * Vocational Rehabilitation
Dear Members, The annual WAOTA Breakfast is fast approaching and preparations are well underway. We are excited that Dr Leanne Sakzewski who has over 30 years clinical and research experience will be our keynote speaker and present “Cerebral Palsy Clinical Research Partnerships over the Last Decade: Australian Occupational Therapists Impact on the Global Stage”. Dr Sakzewki will also be conducting two PD courses on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October on “OT and Cerebral Palsy: Evidence Based Interventions” and “How to turn your research into practice”. To register your interest, forms for both breakfast and PD event are enclosed in this newsletter. Further information can also be found on our website https://www.waota.com.au/annual-ot-week-breakfast/ OT Week is also a great opportunity to support your profession and increase awareness of occupational therapy. This year WAOTA would like to offer members a small merchandise pack to help promote OT Week. This pack will include 5 x balloons, 10 x OT stickers and 5 x badges. Please contact Lorna at info@waota.com.au if you would like to take up this offer. More information and ideas on how to promote OT Week within your workplace can be found on our website https://www.waota.com.au/wp-content/uploads/OT-Week-promotion.pdf Nominations for WAOTA annual awards […]
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia requires all registered Occupational Therapists to undertake continuing professional development as part of their registration. Information regarding these requirements can be found here: http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Continuing-professional-development.aspx OT Board Template Example – CPD Record OT Board Template – Completed Example – CPD Record
Use of Specialist Titles Section 117 of the National Law prohibits a practitioner from knowingly or recklessly taking or using any title that could be reasonably understood to create a belief that the practitioner is registered in a health profession or a division of a health profession in which the practitioner is not registered. Use of titles such as ‘neurology’ and ‘paediatrics’ to describe the skill set of a registered health practitioner may breach this provision of the National Law and may also be misleading and deceptive if the profession has no recognised specialist categories for registration. The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) is currently undertaking a Return to practice pathways project. The Board has been doing a lot of work to improve the clarity and accessibility of the information that it has on its website in relation to recency of practice. The article below was provided by the Board as a snapshot of what is expected:
WA Occupational Therapy Association membership now provides you with free online access to ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source Database. ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source provides users with journal access and reliable healthcare information covering allied health, nursing and complementary medicine. This database provides abstracting and indexing for more than 1,015 titles, with over 860 titles in full-text, plus more than 12,300 full text dissertations access to chapters from online reference books exclusive access to evidence-based allied health and nursing information from The Joanna Briggs Institute including Systematic Reviews, Evidence Summaries, and Best Practice Information Sheets access to Rapid Assessment Protocol internet database (RAPid) and System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (SUMARI). The RAPid training tool enables users to systematically evaluate research articles and write structured research findings to publish on the JBI interface while SUMARI is a developing software package designed to assist health and other researchers and practitioners to conduct systematic reviews exclusive Video Training from Medcom, Inc. Videos are well indexed for reliable search results and can be viewed in document view or downloaded to your desktop for reference. Your ProQuest journal access includes the following publications (but is not limited to): The Canadian Journal of Occupational […]
Be Prepared for the Expansion of My Health Record This year, every Australian will get a My Health Record unless they tell us they don’t want one Based on independent research, individuals have told us that the most acceptable channel to receive information about the My Health Record is via their healthcare providers. We therefore expect your patients and clients may come to you for advice about what a My Health Record means for them. This communication aims to support you and provide you with information and resources you can use to answer your patients’ enquiries about My Health Record. What is My Health Record? My Health Record is a secure online summary of key health information such as medical history, medicines, allergies and adverse reactions, immunisations, hospital discharge summaries and reports from tests and scans. For your patients and clients it means their important health information is kept together in one place that is accessible anytime by their authorised healthcare providers, including in a medical emergency. What will My Health Record mean for my practice and my profession? As more people use My Health Record and information in the system grows, it will help support clinical decision-making, decrease your search […]
