Occupational Therapy

Services we offer

The Occupational Therapy Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital assists people to overcome limitations caused by injury, illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.

The Occupational Therapist’s goal is to assist each individual to move from dependence to independence, maximising personal productivity, well being and quality of life.

Department Contact Details

Head of Department
Brenda Acton
brenda.acton@health.wa.gov.au

Administrative Assistant
Tel: 08 9346 2855
Fax: 08 9346 3600

Physical Location

The Main Occupational Therapy Department at SCGH is located in G Block, on the lower ground Floor. There are satellite departments in D Block (Psychiatry) and C Block (Aged Care and The Hand and Upper Limb Clinic).

The Department is open from 8am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. We also have several areas within the hospital where occupational therapy staff work 7 days a week. This includes the Emergency Department, the Acute Assessment Unit and the complex patient discharge team (SWAT).

About Us

Treatment programmes cover all aspects of developing competence and include everyday activities such as eating, dressing and personal care, creative activities, specific work related tasks, activities involving social and interpersonal relationships and recreational pursuits.

We have a holistic approach, in which the occupational therapist works closely with the patient, relatives or significant others and other members of the health care team to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patients.

Essentially, the occupational therapist’s skills lie in the ability to match the demands and challenges of a person’s functional needs or disability within an appropriate environment.

How to refer

Inpatients

On most wards verbal referrals will be accepted from medical, nursing and allied health staff for SCGH inpatients.

Outpatients

Outpatients must be a current (within 3 months) patient of SCGH and require a written referral on a purple edged consult form from medical staff.

CAEP

Community Aids and Equipment Program (CAEP) is a service for non hospital patients within the community who meet certain criteria. They have a permanent disability, hold a Health Care Card and live the SCGH CAEP catchment area (determined by postcode). Following an occupational therapy assessment, the programme’s role is to provide equipment and environmental modifications to assist individuals to remain within their own homes.

Professional Standards

Ethics

Occupational Therapists are governed by standards of clinical competence and a professional code of ethics.

Professional Development

This department encourages participation in continuing professional development and affiliation with the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists.

All Occupational Therapists are committed to ongoing professional development and participation in Quality Activities.

Education and Research Activities

The Occupational Therapy Department is committed to providing a high quality service and maintenance of professional standards through ongoing initiatives such as professional education, student education, quality activities, and research.

Education and Interest Groups

Regular opportunities for learning are provided at interest groups as well as bi-monthly departmental education sessions and the Allied Health Forum held every 3 months.

Small group education sessions offer regular opportunities for staff to learn about areas of specialty to either gain new knowledge or enhance existing skills.

Staff are also supported and encouraged to pursue education from external sources e.g. Occupational Therapy conferences, post graduate studies, skill refreshers and workshops etc.

Service Promotion

Occupational Therapy Week is held every year in October and promotional activities, posters and education sessions are completed by the OT staff to promote the profession.

Research

The Occupational Therapy Department aims to increase the Occupational Therapy body of knowledge through participation in research. Undergraduate and Post-graduate students of various universities including Curtin University of Technology complete research projects through the department.

There are a number of research projects currently being undertaken by Occupational Therapy staff.

Work Experience

We do not offer work experience but encourage people interested in a career in Occupational Therapy to contact the department. Potential student tours can be organised by contacting the student co-coordinator on 08 9346 2855.

If you are interested in becoming an Occupational Therapist, the following site is helpful: www.otauswa.com.au

Undergraduate

As part of a teaching hospital, the Occupational Therapy Department plays an active role in the development of students through a dynamic educational programme which provides a variety of supported learning opportunities. The Sir Charles Gairdner Occupational Therapy Department and the Schools of Occupational Therapy have a close working relationship, which inspires excellence in both staff and students.

Employment

All occupational therapists must hold a professional qualification which entitles them to be eligible for practicing membership with the Occupational Therapists’ Registration Board of Western Australia. www.otbwa.com.au

Permanent positions are advertised in The West Australian Newspaper on a Saturday or on the www.jobs.wa.gov.au website.

Locums

Short term locum contracts are intermittently available and interested clinicians should contact the Deputy Head of Department, Annette Barton on 08 9346 2855 or via email annette.barton@health.wa.gov.au

For overseas therapists considering working in Western Australia, it is recommended that you access the following links as Western Australian State Registration is required to work as an occupational therapist: