As well as the academic requirements to gain entry into the course which may include pre-requisite subjects, you may need to meet a number of requirements before going on clinical placement. These include:

• Immunisations
• A National Police Check
• A Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• An NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Cultural sensitivity training to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

Undergraduate entry into occupational therapy

For entry into an undergraduate occupational therapy course commencing in 2022, the ATARs published by universities ranged from 60 to the mid-90s. Please note that many courses require pre-requisite subjects to be completed prior to course entry.

Following is a table of the ATARs for every occupational therapy course in Australia in 2022:

Please note that this is a rough guide only for future years as it changes from year to year depending on the applications each university receives, and that some universities will also have additional selection criteria to gain entry.

If you don’t gain entry directly following high school, some universities will allow you to transfer into their undergraduate occupational therapy degree following a year in one of their other undergraduate degrees – for example a science degree. This will be dependent on your Grade Point Average in your first-year subjects and could also involve other admission requirements. Your ATAR may also be considered. Please speak with an admissions officer at the universities you are considering applying for to see if this pathway may be available to you.

Postgraduate entry into occupational therapy

There is also a formal postgraduate pathway that is available at more than 10 universities around Australia. They require an undergraduate degree, with some universities having specific pre-requisite subject and additional requirements which they publish on their website.

A list of postgraduate occupational therapy masters programs is in the table below:

Pathways into occupational therapy

Following is an infographic which provides an overview of the pathways to becoming qualified as an occupational therapist in Australia. For simplicity, it does not include the possibility of transferring into occupational therapy from another course. For more detailed pathways information, go to our become an occupational therapist page.

Current list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist

The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for an up to date list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist in Australia. Please check with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the most up to date information.

If you would like to find courses to become an occupational therapist:

1. Go to https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx
2. In Profession select Occupational Therapist
3. In Country make the appropriate selection – for example, Australia
4. In Qualification Type select General
5. Click Search

More resources on My Health Career

• Your guide to a career in occupational therapy
• Videos about a career in occupational therapy

Disclaimer

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. My Health Career accepts no responsibility for ensuring that you enrol in a course that is right for you. Please do your own research to ensure that you enrol in the correct course, especially if you are considering an undergraduate biomedicine, health science or biomedical science degree as a pathway to a postgraduate course. This may include speaking with a careers advisor, guidance officer, career development practitioner, representatives of Occupational Therapy Australia, and admissions officers from the university or universities you are looking at applying to.

The post ATAR for occupational therapy – Your guide to the ATAR for every OT course in Australia in 2022 appeared first on My Health Career.

“It is very pleasing that the AACC, which represents 70% of residential aged care services in Australia, supports the allied health sector, including physiotherapy,” APA National President Scott Willis said. 

“The AACC’s call to introduce an allied health assessment tool and funding is exactly what is needed; it is very welcome and great support.” 

The AACC election statement calls on all political parties to commit to putting in place an allied health needs assessment and funding model by July 2024. 

“We understand it takes time to build a new system but would like to see dedicated allied health funding earlier. The future of physiotherapy jobs in the sector is under a cloud as a result of uncertainty about Federal Government plans for funding them after October this year, when a new funding mechanism is scheduled to be introduced,” Mr Willis said. 

“Without action to address the shortfall in funding for allied health including physiotherapy expected after October, there is a risk that older people in residential aged care may miss out on critical healthcare services. 

“Physiotherapists help manage chronic disease, maintain mental and physical health and wellness, and improve the quality of life of older people in residential aged care. 

“Older people in residential aged care have very complex care needs and have the right to receive the healthcare that they need, and that they choose, such as physiotherapy that will help them maintain their quality of life,” Mr Willis said. 

The APA has long advised government that the current aged care funding model is flawed, and that its replacement, the Australian National Aged Care Classification, does not provide for clinical care planning, nor for associated allied health funding needs arising from that planning. 

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recognised a “lack of access to critical allied health services such as physiotherapy” in residential aged care and recommended the government ensure this was rectified. 

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has stated that occupational therapists, physiotherapists and podiatrists are all highly trained allied health professionals who provide essential services to aged care residents to improve functional ability and prevent functional decline. 

OTA states that occupational therapists are trained to provide both physical and mental health therapy, chronic disease management, assessments for assistive technology, and the assessment of environmental and safety risks. They enable aged care residents to participate in meaningful activities of everyday life, providing them with an enhanced sense of identity, greater purpose and improved wellbeing.  

OTA also states that the current restrictions of the government’s funding model severely prohibit occupational therapy services in residential aged care, effectively denying residents the ability to live a meaningful and purposeful existence. 

The Australian Aged Care Collaboration is a group of six aged care peak bodies: Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Catholic Health Australia, Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and UnitingCare Australia. 

The post Calls for Allied Health Needs Assessment and Funding in Aged Care by July 2024 appeared first on My Health Career.

As well as the academic requirements to gain entry into the course, you may need to meet a number of requirements before going on clinical placement. These include:

• Immunisations
• A National Police Check
• A Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Cultural sensitivity training to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

Undergraduate entry into occupational therapy

For entry into an undergraduate occupational therapy course commencing in 2021, the ATARs published by universities ranged from 60 to the mid-90s.

Following is a table of the ATARs for every occupational therapy course in Australia in 2021:

Please note that this is a rough guide only for future years as it changes from year to year depending on the applications each university receives, and that some universities will also have additional selection criteria to gain entry.

If you don’t gain entry directly following high school, some universities will allow you to transfer into their undergraduate occupational therapy degree following a year in one of their other undergraduate degrees – for example a science degree. This will be dependent on your Grade Point Average in your first-year subjects and could also involve other admission requirements. You ATAR may also be considered. Please speak with an admissions officer at the universities you are considering applying for to see if this pathway may be available to you.

Postgraduate entry into occupational therapy

There is also a formal postgraduate pathway that is available at 10 universities around Australia. They require an undergraduate degree, some with some universities having specific pre-requisite subject requirements which they publish on their website.

A list of postgraduate occupational therapy masters programs is in the table below:

Pathways into occupational therapy

Following is an infographic which provides an overview of the pathways to becoming qualified as an occupational therapist in Australia. For simplicity, it does not include the possibility of transferring into occupational therapy from another course. For more detailed pathways information, go to our become an occupational therapist page.

Current list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist

The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for an up to date list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist in Australia. Please check with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the most up to date information.

If you would like to find courses to become an occupational therapist:

1. Go to https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx
2. In Profession select Occupational Therapist
3. In Country make the appropriate selection – for example, Australia
4. In Qualification Type select General
5. Click Search

More resources on My Health Career

• What you really need to know before starting an occupational therapy course
• Videos about a career in occupational therapy
• Mental health OTs overlooked in mental health management

Disclaimer

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. My Health Career accepts no responsibility for ensuring that you enrol in a course that is right for you. Please do your own research to ensure that you enrol in the correct course, especially if you are considering an undergraduate biomedicine, health science or biomedical science degree as a pathway to a postgraduate course. This may include speaking with a careers advisor, guidance officer, career development practitioner, representatives of Occupational Therapy Australia, and admissions officers from the university or universities you are looking at applying to.

The post ATAR for occupational therapy – your guide to the ATAR for every OT course in Australia in 2021 appeared first on My Health Career.

As well as the academic requirements to gain entry into the course, you may need to meet a number of requirements before going on clinical placement. These include:

• Immunisations
• A National Police Check
• A Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Cultural sensitivity training to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

Undergraduate entry into occupational therapy

For entry into an undergraduate occupational therapy course commencing in 2020, the ATARs published by universities ranged from the high-50s to the low-90s.

Following is a table of the ATARs for every occupational therapy course in Australia in 2020:

Please note that this is a rough guide only for future years as it changes from year to year depending on the applications each university receives, and that some universities will also have additional selection criteria to gain entry.

If you don’t gain entry directly following high school, some universities will allow you to transfer into their undergraduate occupational therapy degree following a year in one of their other undergraduate degrees – for example a science degree. This will be dependent on your Grade Point Average in your first-year subjects and could also involve other admission requirements. You ATAR may also be considered. Please speak with an admissions officer at the universities you are considering applying for to see if this pathway may be available to you.

Postgraduate entry into occupational therapy

There is also a formal postgraduate pathway that is available at 10 universities around Australia. They require an undergraduate degree, some with some universities having specific pre-requisite subject requirements which they publish on their website.

A list of postgraduate occupational therapy masters programs is in the table below:

Pathways into occupational therapy

Following is an infographic which provides an overview of the pathways to becoming qualified as an occupational therapist in Australia. For simplicity, it does not include the possibility of transferring into occupational therapy from another course. For more detailed pathways information, go to our become an occupational therapist page.

Current list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist

The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for an up to date list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist in Australia. Please check with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the most up to date information.

If you would like to find courses to become an occupational therapist:

1. Go to https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx
2. In Profession select Occupational Therapist
3. In Country make the appropriate selection – for example, Australia
4. In Qualification Type select General
5. Click Search

More resources on My Health Career

• What you really need to know before starting an occupational therapy course
• Videos about a career in occupational therapy
• Mental health OTs overlooked in mental health management

Disclaimer

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. My Health Career accepts no responsibility for ensuring that you enrol in a course that is right for you. Please do your own research to ensure that you enrol in the correct course, especially if you are considering an undergraduate biomedicine, health science or biomedical science degree as a pathway to a postgraduate course. This may include speaking with a careers advisor, guidance officer, career development practitioner, representatives of Occupational Therapy Australia, and admissions officers from the university or universities you are looking at applying to.

The post ATAR for occupational therapy – your guide to the ATAR for every OT course in Australia in 2020 appeared first on My Health Career.

What I love most about healthcare is having the opportunity to work with a diverse population in a holistic manner. This way we get to know the children we work with but also their families and support network. I love coming to work and being greeted by the lovely Chandler…our therapy dog in training!

Tell us about your most memorable client.

I was working with a young boy as his paediatric OT for a long period of time, mainly focusing on the development of his fine and gross motor skills. I had witnessed huge progression in his motor skills thanks to the team he was working with and input from his family. One weekend while on a hike, I happened to bump into him and his father on the top of a mountain! A great example of a leisure-based occupation that he could participate in thanks to all of his hard work.

How do you motivate yourself to move forward and keep the passion burning for your chosen career if you experience burnout?

For me it is about looking at the bigger picture. There will always be days where things don’t go to plan and burnout can be a common experience in healthcare. I believe sometimes we need to give ourselves some OT intervention and ensure we are participating in a proper self-care routine and engaging in activities outside of work that we find meaningful. In essence I think it is important as an occupational therapist to practice what you preach. This way we can continue to provide the best service to the clients that we work with during work hours.

What is something that can be improved that would make you love being an occupational therapist even more?

As an occupational therapist, we examine people’s care needs from a holistic perspective. This can include one’s physical performance but also aspects such as their sensory processing and overall mental health. We believe that through participation in occupations that are personally meaningful to us, we can live life to the fullest. I think further acknowledgement within healthcare on how occupational therapists can be recognised as a unique profession that supports both the physical and mental care needs of a person can continue to enhance the growth of the profession.

I also believe further support for high quality studies into sensory processing will continue to grow this important area of occupational therapy intervention, where such practices can be guided by evidence based.

Jordan Balfry, Occupational Therapist, Fired Up People
https://fireduppeople.com.au

Jordan is an Irish occupational therapist living and working in Melbourne since 2018. Having studied an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology, she then pursued a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, graduating in 2016. She has worked primarily in paediatric settings across both public and private complex disability services. Her passion lies in assisting children and their families/caregivers in maximizing their full potential in a creative and enjoyable way.

More articles on My Health Career:

• What is it that dentists love about their career? We hear from Dr Frank Farrelly and Dr Philippa Sawyer
• Three psychologists on their love for work and love for life
• Two dietitians, two orthoptists and a microbiologist are asked “what do you love about your job?” Here are their responses…….

The post Practice what you preach; to provide the best service to the clients during work hours – Jordan Balfry appeared first on My Health Career.

You can study occupational therapy in most states and territories in Australia. Depending on which pathway you take, it takes a minimum of 4 to 5 years to become an occupational therapist. Both undergraduate (Bachelor) degrees and postgraduate (Masters) degrees are available.

As well as the academic requirements to gain entry into the course, you may need to meet a number of requirements before going on clinical placement. These include:

• Immunisations
• A National Police Check
• A Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Cultural sensitivity training to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

Undergraduate entry into occupational therapy

For entry into an undergraduate occupational therapy course commencing in 2019, the ATARs published by universities ranged from the mid-60s to the mid-90s.

Following is a guide to the ATAR scores for every occupational therapy course in Australia in 2019:

Please note that this is a rough guide only for future years as it changes from year to year depending on the applications each university receives, and that some universities will also have additional selection criteria to gain entry.

If you don’t gain entry directly following high school, some universities will allow you to transfer into their undergraduate occupational therapy degree following a year in one of their other undergraduate degrees – for example a science degree. This will be dependent on your Grade Point Average in your first-year subjects and could also involve other admission requirements. You ATAR / OP may also be considered. Please speak with an admissions officer at the universities you are considering applying for to see if this pathway may be available to you.

Postgraduate entry into occupational therapy

There is also a formal postgraduate pathway that is available at 10 universities around Australia. They require an undergraduate degree, some with some universities having specific pre-requisite subject requirements which they publish on their website.

A list of postgraduate occupational therapy masters programs is in the table below:

Pathways into Occupational Therapy

Following is an infographic which provides an overview of the pathways to becoming qualified as an occupational therapist in Australia. For simplicity, it does not include the possibility of transferring into occupational therapy from another course. For more detailed pathways information, go to our become an occupational therapist page.

More resources on My Health Career:

• What you really need to know before starting an occupational therapy course
• Videos about a career in occupational therapy
• Mental health OTs overlooked in mental health management

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. My Health Career accepts no responsibility for ensuring that you enrol in a course that is right for you. Please do your own research to ensure that you enrol in the correct course, especially if you are considering an undergraduate biomedicine, health science or biomedical science degree as a pathway to a postgraduate course. This may include speaking with a careers advisor, guidance officer, career development practitioner, representatives of Occupational Therapy Australia, and admissions officers from the university or universities you are looking at applying to.

The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for an up to date list of approved programs of study to become an occupational therapist in Australia. Please check with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the most up to date information: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx?ref=Occupational%20Therapist

The post ATAR for occupational therapy – your guide to the ATAR for every OT course in Australia in 2019 appeared first on My Health Career.

1. Understanding what you already bring to the table

Considering the 4 key blueprint principles are the perfect approach to getting underway, as they will encourage you to look at your starting point.

Firstly, the principle of value. In what ways do you add value to the organisation you are currently working in? If you really look, could you tease out a greater appreciation for what competencies you already have at your disposal? Is your greatest value in being efficient, do you have excellent communication skills, or are there additional proficiencies you have picked up along the way?

Secondly, the principle of building. What opportunities can you identify that will assist you in building on the skills you have to set the bar even higher?

Thirdly, the principle of progress. In the time that you have been in your profession, what has changed? How has progress taken place? How do you see yourself as part of the future progress in health care, potentially even at the cutting edge?

Fourthly, the principle of impact. How have you leveraged your skills in your current role, and where have you had the greatest impact? Have you improved the delivery of services, increased profits, been the catalyst for building a more cohesive team within your organisation, or had a significant impact outside your organisation?

2. Identifying your stream

The blueprint has identified 5 core work streams that health professionals may engage in when they are looking at the overall direction in which they would like to take in terms of career development. These are practice, education, research, management and strategy.

Practice involves being a clinician delivering patient care directly.

Education could take a number of forms ranging from providing instruction and education to patients and communities to health practitioners and students in clinical or academic environments.

Research could be at the level of systematic investigation to increase knowledge and establish an evidence base, or could be via translating research into practice.

Management could be in diverse ways such as leading and managing departments, service delivery, human resources or project funding.

Strategy might include leading change, developing and leading policy, implementing innovations, or transforming processes for an industry, sector or organisation.

3. Defining your future growth

The 4 levels of growth defined in the blueprint are gaining experience, further skills and knowledge, becoming an expert and being an acknowledged leader.
Gaining experience is the initial phase of acquiring your qualification and consolidating your skills.

Further skills and knowledge is the next phase where as a practitioner you develop a deeper breadth of experience and understanding within your profession.
Becoming an expert is where you deepen your knowledge and skill in a particular area.

Being an acknowledged leader is where you are recognised by your peers as someone able to guide and influence others.

4. Transitioning from where you are to a leadership role

Now that you understand what you bring to the table, have identified your stream and have defined the level of growth you wish to attain in the future, it’s important to consider how you are going to make this transition. Now is the time to step out of the model of the blueprint and use the principles to transform your career in a tangible way.

If you are currently a clinician and know that the predominantly academic areas of education or research aren’t the best fit for you, management or strategy would be excellent areas to look at. If you were to go down that path, you would need to develop further skills and knowledge on the way to becoming an expert or acknowledged leader.

The knowledge you would need to gain in order to make this transition might include health economics, health law, systems and policy, management, developing health systems and the application of strategies which advance managing patient care processes.

A postgraduate qualification could be an excellent investment in your career development and aspirations. The Monash Online Master of Health Administration has been developed with aspiring health care managers in mind with the course focusing on leadership, marketing, economics and management of the patient care process. This master’s qualification will also boost your health-specific knowledge with areas such as epidemiology and biostatistics being included.

The Master of Health Administration has been purposely designed to build upon your ability to lead and manage effectively in a health care environment. The fusion of the course units from The Faculty of Business and Economics with those from The School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine means that you will gain knowledge of both business and health care practices.

On completion of the course, opportunities that would be open to you as an expert or acknowledged leader would be in health care organisations including government and non-government organisations. You might find yourself in high-level roles in private or health and welfare service management, practice management or in the management of teams of health professionals.

Now you have access to the ultimate blueprint and means to develop your career in health. Now is the time to put your aspirations into action.

The post The ultimate guide to career development for health professionals in just 4 simple steps appeared first on My Health Career.

Young Optometrist Rose Huang on buying online

In a recent study by the American Optometric Association, researchers discovered that nearly half of all glasses (44.8 percent) ordered online either contained an inaccurate prescription or didn’t meet safety standards designed to protect the eyes. Consumers are forgoing the accuracy, comfort with a proper fit and individualised care which is offered at optometry practices. Before purchasing online always consider if there is a returns policy, warranties offered, shipping costs, extra costs, insurance covered and maintenance fees involved.

Polio is a much-overlooked disease in Australia, since – thankfully – we haven’t seen an outbreak for many years. However, there are thousands of people still living who contracted polio in childhood, whether here in Australia or elsewhere, and are now living with Late Effects of Polio/Post-Polio Syndrome. After years of relative stability, many people are experiencing increasing muscle weakness, declining mobility, debilitating fatigue, chronic pain and breathing and sleep issues.

Medical Ultrasound is a very exciting, vital extremity in the world of

diagnosis and Medical Imaging and being a Medical Sonographer, staying up to date with all the latest technologies keeps our profession challenging and exciting.

The post What are the big issues in health right now? An optometrist, occupational therapist and sonographer tell us…. appeared first on My Health Career.

I am an Occupational Therapist and Practice Principal working in the private sector in Brisbane. I have now been working/ studying in the field of allied health for 20 years and over that time have noticed many changes. Some minor, subtle changes such as the gradual introduction of tech into our practice. Others – massive game changers.

• Selective editing of reviews: illegal or not? AHPRA draws the line
• ADNet to accelerate research for the prevention and treatment of Dementia
• Are prisoners getting the mental health care they deserve?

The post 20 years of change in Occupational Therapy – by Nicole Grant appeared first on My Health Career.

In light of a recent incident where an organisation was publishing only positive reviews from consumers, AHPRA has published further guidance for advertisers of regulated health services to clarify which review or testimonial editing practices are deemed illegal.

The post Selective editing of reviews: illegal or not? AHPRA draws the line appeared first on My Health Career.