​The Role of an Occupational Therapist

Occupational
therapists (OT) works with individuals of all ages to encourage and enable
effective participation in the occupations of everyday life. Occupational
therapists work with people who experience difficulties in these areas for any
reason and are present in both physical disability and mental health services. Occupational
therapists also aim to facilitate successful adoptions of disruptions in
lifestyle, prevent losses of function and improve or maintain phycological
status.

The occupations of everyday life
include:

• Activities
  of daily living: Self-care activities such as showering, dressing,
  grooming and eating
• Household
  and community functioning: Home maintenance, driving, budgeting, shopping
  and community mobility
• Education:
  Activities which allow a person to participate effectively in a learning
  environment
• Leisure
  and play
• Social
  participation: Interacting positively with others in the community
• Work
  (paid and unpaid): Participating in employment and volunteer activitiesOccupational
  therapists are also able to assess and recommend assistive technology or
  environmental modifications that will assist individuals in engaging in the
  occupations of everyday life.

   

  Occupational
  therapists are also able to assess and recommend assistive technology or
  environmental modifications that will assist individuals in engaging in the
  occupations of everyday life. In these cases they will work closely with specialist mobility equipment suppliers to ensure their client receives equipment that best suits
  their needs

  Where do occupational
  therapists practice?

  
  Occupational therapists practice in a wide range of both public and private
  settings. Including community health centres, aged care facilities, education
  facilities, both public and private hospitals, mental health settings, private
  clinics and non-government, peoples home, alcohol and drugs services,
  universities, everywhere.

  When should I see an
  occupational therapist?

  There
  are many reasons why an individual could benefit from consulting an
  occupational therapist. This might include accessing assistance to adjust to
  life after acquiring a short- or long-term illness or disability, sustaining an
  injury, or are in a period of major life adjustment which is impacting the
  individual’s health and wellbeing. An occupational therapist works with
  individuals with both physical and mental health illnesses and disabilities.
  Some key areas of practices and activity where an occupational therapist could
  provide support include.

  • Daily living activities
    such as showering, dressing, grooming, eating;
  • Multi-step activities
    that may involve caring for others such as household management activities,
    shopping, childcare, budgeting, banking, financial management, home
    maintenance, driving;
  • Education activities
    which allow a person to participate as a learner in a learning environment;
  • Leisure and play
    activities;
  • Social participation;
  • Work (paid and
    unpaid).

  What
  services do occupational therapists provide?

  Occupational
  therapists offer a broad range of services to individuals and groups, or they
  can provide assistance at a more strategic level. Their support may include:

  • Skill
    development in self-care, self-management, home management, and
    community/work/school reintegration;
  • Education
    and support of individuals, including family members, caregivers, and
    others, through collaborative and consultative partnerships and
    family-centred approaches;
  • Care
    coordination, case management, transition services including discharge
    planning, client advocacy and onward referral to relevant services;
  • Assessment,
    customisation and oversight of equipment provision including orthotic
    devices, and training in the use of prosthetic devices;
  • Driver
    rehabilitation and community mobility;
  • Use
    of a range of specific therapeutic procedures to enhance performance such
    as wound care management, techniques to enhance sensory, perceptual, and
    cognitive processing, and manual therapy technique skills.

  How
  are occupational therapists qualified?

  In
  order to practise, occupational therapists must meet the following
  requirements:

  • Complete
    a recognised undergraduate or masters entry-level course in occupational
    therapy;
  • Complete
    a minimum of 30 hours per year of continuing professional development; and
  • Meet
    national regulatory requirements as set out by the Occupational Therapy
    Board of Australia for the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation
    Agency.

  For further information on Occupational Therapy, visit the government website Better Health Victoria

  The
  Patient Handling Team