Shellharbour Hospital’s Post

HEALTHCARE HERO | Josh Meet Josh, one of our amazing occupational therapists working in our paediatric service. The thing that drew Josh towards a career in allied health was the holistic nature of the work. “I like working from a really broad macroscopic lens, getting to know the client and understanding the different systems, strengths and barriers playing a part in their story.” ❓ Why did you choose paediatrics? “I think working as an OT in general you have to find creative ways to work with clients. However, I think this increases when working in paediatrics. I enjoy being presented with these creative opportunities in my role. Also, my personal values towards early intervention and child development are something that drove me towards this demographic. Being able to be a part of that process of building resilience and a sense of independence in a child or family's life is quite special.” ❤️ Speaking of special, what else makes the job special to you? “What’s special about my job is having the opportunity to build relationships and building safe spaces for families and kids. Being able to form an environment where people feel comfortable, supported and safe to push themselves, try new things and experience failure is important. Seeing a child go from avoiding a difficult activity due to its difficulty to then seeking it out and enjoying it is really very special.” 🤯 What’s something that continues to surprise you? “What’s unexpected is probably some of the things that come out of children’s mouths. Some of the sentences and ways of explaining things can sound so surreal and oddly poetic. I had one kid explain that when writing the letter ‘W’ they write it like a person crossing their legs because they need to go to the toilet.” 🕰️ Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was younger, I wanted to be a comedian! Although I had difficulties pronouncing the word properly, so it would sound like I wanted to be a ‘chameleon’. I guess I get a new audience to try my jokes and material on each session. Sometimes they land, other times they can be a tough audience.” With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we're enriching health, and develop your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia. Check out all roles and apply today: https://ow.ly/2WXe50TU6q2

HEALTHCARE HERO | Josh Meet Josh, one of our amazing occupational therapists working in our paediatric service. The thing that drew Josh towards a career in allied health was the holistic nature of the work. “I like working from a really broad macroscopic lens, getting to know the client and understanding the different systems, strengths and barriers playing a part in their story.” ❓ Why did you choose paediatrics? “I think working as an OT in general you have to find creative ways to work with clients. However, I think this increases when working in paediatrics. I enjoy being presented with these creative opportunities in my role. Also, my personal values towards early intervention and child development are something that drove me towards this demographic. Being able to be a part of that process of building resilience and a sense of independence in a child or family's life is quite special.” ❤️ Speaking of special, what else makes the job special to you? “What’s special about my job is having the opportunity to build relationships and building safe spaces for families and kids. Being able to form an environment where people feel comfortable, supported and safe to push themselves, try new things and experience failure is important. Seeing a child go from avoiding a difficult activity due to its difficulty to then seeking it out and enjoying it is really very special.” 🤯 What’s something that continues to surprise you? “What’s unexpected is probably some of the things that come out of children’s mouths. Some of the sentences and ways of explaining things can sound so surreal and oddly poetic. I had one kid explain that when writing the letter ‘W’ they write it like a person crossing their legs because they need to go to the toilet.” 🕰️ Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was younger, I wanted to be a comedian! Although I had difficulties pronouncing the word properly, so it would sound like I wanted to be a ‘chameleon’. I guess I get a new audience to try my jokes and material on each session. Sometimes they land, other times they can be a tough audience.” With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we're enriching health, and develop your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia. Check out all roles and apply today: https://ow.ly/OuHk50TU6q4

HEALTHCARE HERO | Josh Meet Josh, one of our amazing occupational therapists working in our paediatric service. The thing that drew Josh towards a career in allied health was the holistic nature of the work. “I like working from a really broad macroscopic lens, getting to know the client and understanding the different systems, strengths and barriers playing a part in their story.” ❓ Why did you choose paediatrics? “I think working as an OT in general you have to find creative ways to work with clients. However, I think this increases when working in paediatrics. I enjoy being presented with these creative opportunities in my role. Also, my personal values towards early intervention and child development are something that drove me towards this demographic. Being able to be a part of that process of building resilience and a sense of independence in a child or family's life is quite special.” ❤️ Speaking of special, what else makes the job special to you? “What’s special about my job is having the opportunity to build relationships and building safe spaces for families and kids. Being able to form an environment where people feel comfortable, supported and safe to push themselves, try new things and experience failure is important. Seeing a child go from avoiding a difficult activity due to its difficulty to then seeking it out and enjoying it is really very special.” 🤯 What’s something that continues to surprise you? “What’s unexpected is probably some of the things that come out of children’s mouths. Some of the sentences and ways of explaining things can sound so surreal and oddly poetic. I had one kid explain that when writing the letter ‘W’ they write it like a person crossing their legs because they need to go to the toilet.” 🕰️ Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was younger, I wanted to be a comedian! Although I had difficulties pronouncing the word properly, so it would sound like I wanted to be a ‘chameleon’. I guess I get a new audience to try my jokes and material on each session. Sometimes they land, other times they can be a tough audience.” With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we're enriching health, and develop your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia. Check out all roles and apply today: https://ow.ly/oJqc50TU6q3

Discover Pediatric Occupational Therapy at Sensory Solutions! Our OT therapy helps kids achieve milestones and improve daily skills like writing, dressing, and playing. We tailor our approach to each child's unique needs. https://lnkd.in/gE2SaDz #PediatricOT #ChildDevelopment #OccupationalTherapy

Outpatient pediatric occupational therapy practice is such a unique and rewarding space. It’s where creativity meets evidence-based care to help kids reach their fullest potential. Here’s a thought: The role we play extends beyond therapy sessions—it’s about empowering families and building skills that last a lifetime. What’s one challenge or insight you’ve experienced in outpatient pediatric OT practice that has shaped your approach? #pediatricot #outpatientotpractice

Part 2 of the Role of OT after your loved one has had a stroke. (See Part 1) Again, so much information is given to you, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. I want to encourage you to take notes and names of the medical professionals who will be caring for your loved one after a stroke. It is important that you understand the role each person on the care team plays. Again, I am emphasizing the Occupational Therapist. The Occupational Therapist (OT) is a key player and it is important that you become familiar with their role. The Occupational Therapist focuses on assisting your loved one to overcome deficits caused by the stroke for the purpose of improving Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) skills. Examples of ADLs: Dressing, Toileting, Bathing, Grooming, Feeding, etc. The OT can provide you with information that can help you understand how much care you loved one will potentially need at home, what adaptive equipment is needed, what safety equipment is needed in the home and recommended home modifications. Remember, being a learner equips you to better support your loved one’s needs and care for yourself. Please share. #occupationaltherapist #ot #physiatrist #neurologist #strokecaregiver #familycaregiver #CVA #occupationaltherapy #physicaltherapy #speechtherapy #caregiver #caregiving #caregivercoach #groupcoaching #brain #brainhealth

🌟 Why is pediatric occupational therapy so important for a child's development? 🌟 Pediatric occupational therapy helps children develop essential life skills, enhances their ability to perform daily activities, and supports their cognitive, physical, and social-emotional growth. 🧠👐 Key benefits include: Improved Fine Motor Skills: Essential for tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils. Enhanced Gross Motor Skills: Crucial for balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness. Boosted Cognitive Abilities: Helps with problem-solving, attention, and sensory processing. Increased Independence: Equips children with the skills they need to succeed in school and daily life. Better Social Skills: Encourages positive interactions with peers and adults. At Synaptic Pediatric Therapies, we're dedicated to helping children reach their full potential through personalized and engaging therapy sessions! 💪✨ #PediatricOT #ChildDevelopment #OccupationalTherapy #SynapticPediatricTherapies #KidsHealth

How can we promote more independence during meal time? In therapeutic practices the goal is often to maintain as much independence as possible. As a therapist, I focus on utilizing the least amount of assistance to encourage the highest level of independence. Using their skills as long as possible helps keep those abilities intact. For example, if someone with limitations stops being able to feed themselves independently, that doesn’t mean they must stop participating in the process altogether. One effective technique involves incorporating the person’s own movements into the feeding process. The simple act of bringing their hand to their mouth can be a powerful cue, triggering a reflexive mouth opening. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle to open their mouth during meals. We often begin with hand-over-hand assistance and gradually reduce help as the individual regains confidence and ability—this method of "fading" cues and assistance can lead to significant improvements in self-feeding. Occupational therapists are skilled in strategies to enhance self-feeding and other daily activities. For those seeking personalized support, I highly recommend consulting with an OT for guidance. What other techniques do you use to promote independence? #occupationaltherapist #otr #ot #occupationaltherapy #cota #slplife #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #slp #dementiaawareness #caregiver #lewybodydementia #dementia #frontotemporaldementia #alzheimers #vasculardementia #nurse #cna

🌟 Unlocking Potential with Assistive Technology! 🌟 In pediatric occupational therapy, assistive technology boosts independence, communication, and learning. These tools enhance motor skills and daily activities, helping children thrive in educational and social settings. #AssistiveTechnology #PediatricOT #Independence #ChildDevelopment #TriumphTherapeutics #InclusiveEducation #ThrivingKids

Some personal thoughts about new models of neighbourhood care, design principles to guide its development & why it won’t work without #socialcare & the trinity of its regulated professions - #socialwork, #nursing & #occupationaltherapy. https://lnkd.in/d6uSqBYd