Resource details OT for aged care
Occupational Therapy Australia has developed a capability framework to support the career pathways of clinicians.
The peak body for occupational therapists has developed a resource to support aged care career pathways for its clinicians and help inform other stakeholders including providers about the role of OTs.
The Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists working with Older People (aged care) is part of a growing suite Occupational Therapy Australia is developing to encompass person-centred care across the lifespan and specific areas of practice such as pain management or mental health.
The aged care framework can support individual occupational therapists when making decisions about where to focus their development activities, and managers and employers when making decisions about the areas of capability development they should be providing for staff, said OTA professional practice advisor of aged care Christina Wyatt.
“The framework is principally designed to support clinicians in designing their development activities and building their career pathways,” Ms Wyatt told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Having said that, the framework is also useful to employers, clients and funders across the aged care sector to better understand the role of occupational therapists and to build greater visibility of the profession across the wider community,”
Ms Wyatt said aged care providers employing occupational therapists would find this framework useful in supporting their existing staff to build their capabilities, and design learning and development opportunities that support their professional and career goals. It will also support all providers to fully understand the role of OTs and how to best utilise them, she added.
“For those who aren’t familiar with the scope of occupational therapy practice or aren’t employing occupational therapists in their workforce, this framework will support a better understanding of the OT role and how they can meet a provider’s care delivery objectives and support their workforce capacity, compliance, and governance requirements,” Ms Wyatt said.
“Providers of allied health services into residential aged care can use this framework to support and develop the occupational therapists in their organisations and also consider the programs and packages they are currently offering to ensure they’re fully utilising the skills and knowledge that occupational therapists offer in this space.”
OTA has also developed several flyers for aged care consumers outlining the role of OTs and how they can support them to age well and enhance their quality of life. Topics of the flyers published to date include:
“These flyers are also useful in building provider awareness and understanding of the unique skills and expertise that occupational therapists hold and can offer across both in-home and residential aged care settings,” said Ms Wyatt.
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