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Therapy Aide

State/Territory Specific Information

Therapy aides assist professional staff by visiting clients, preparing written and verbal reports, and helping clients and carers with personal care tasks.

Therapy aides may perform the following tasks:

  • provide general care and comfort to patients and ongoing therapy as directed
  • guide and assist patients in the performance of craft, recreational and leisure activities
  • assist in the training of disabled persons in self-care and daily living activities
  • assist patients in the performance of routine physiotherapy or hydrotherapy exercises on an individual or group basis
  • report on action taken, clients' progress and any unusual circumstances.

Specialisations:

Community Health Nursing Aide

A community health nursing aide provides care for the sick, aged or disabled in the home, including personal and hygiene care such as showering, bathing and dressing, and ensures clients maintain a healthy diet.

Occupational Therapy Aide

An occupational therapy aide assists clients at home or in clinical settings, under the direction of an occupational therapist. They may construct, adjust and fit aids and equipment, including splints, or assist clients in self-care, skills of daily living, diversional and other rehabilitation activities with the aim of improving the safety and independence of the client.

Physiotherapy Aide

A physiotherapy aide assists clients with exercise or rehabilitation programs, delivers, adjusts and demonstrates self-care and rehabilitation equipment, and assists in moving patients within their homes, or to hospitals or places of treatment.

Speech Pathology Aide

A speech pathology aide assists in the provision of therapy to clients once a speech pathologist has assessed and devised a suitable program including training clients in the use of electronic and non-electronic alternative communication systems and helping to prepare equipment to use with clients.

Therapy aides are not qualified to diagnose conditions or prescribe treatment. They work under the direction of professional staff such as doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, diversional therapists, home economists and nurses.

Personal Requirements:

  • maturity
  • able to relate well to frail, sick or disabled people of all ages
  • caring, understanding, patient and calm.

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