Mental Health OT Outreach Assessments
I offer outreach assessments to regional and remote locations in Australia. If you have 4-5 participants in the same geographical location requiring mental health specific functional capacity assessments, general functional capacity assessments or Supported Independent Living (SIL) assessments and the associated NDIS reports, I am willing to travel to the area for a week to conduct the assessments.
How it works
Assessment Schedule
I am willing to travel to the area for a week to conduct the assessments. I would perform one assessment per day as the MH specific assessments can take anywhere between 2-4 hours.
Assessment Time
All assessments will occur prior to 12pm midday, I do not offer afternoon appointments
Reporting
I generally require 2 weeks post assessment, to complete the reports. This timeframe is dependent on the complexity of the report as well as additional information I request following the assessment.
General Criteria
Individuals over the age of 10 years, any diagnosis, should have existing NDIS plan with sufficient funds to cover the assessment and report and part of the travel cost, as well as a commitment to participate in the assessment is required. Please also consider whether the participant requires a family member or carer present. I’m not currently providing this service to participants who have self-managed plans.
What is excluded
I can identify whether home modifications are required but a physical OT will need to complete a separate home modification assessment and the required reports. I can identify which assistive technology the participant needs, however for more complex items such as wheelchairs, I would be referring on to an OT who specialises in that area. It would not be practical to take on long-term therapy clients. This service is more appropriate to individuals who require OT assessments and have no access to a local MH OT.
Preferred Locations
Griffith, Newcastle, Moree, Southern Highlands and the Gold Coast. I have previously lived and worked in these areas and have some knowledge of existing services which helps with recommendations and research regarding these.
Knowledge of the area, helps to provide more person-centred recommendations and a more robust report. However, I am willing to consider other areas as the support coordinator and participants can also share their knowledge of local service providers and I can research this post assessment.
Referral Process
Please email me at info@smhot.com.au with the number of participants, the location, the diagnostic groups and why the assessment is required. We can then discuss what additional referral information is required, whether this is practically implementable and assessment dates.
Waiting Period
My appointments are generally booked out 3 months in advance. However, there are at times ebbs and flows with referrals, so I may have capacity sooner.