Meet Mark – Occupational Therapist
“Often we meet people in some of the most difficult times in their lives. The best part of my job is that I get to share in their journey while they recover. I am also lucky enough to work with some amazing people!”
Mark has worked at Buderim Private Hospital for nine years and is an Occupational Therapist in our Allied Health team.
1. How would you describe your role and what’s the best part?
As an Occupational Therapist (OT) I work with people to get them back to doing the meaningful things that they want or need to do - mostly in this setting this includes everyday tasks involved in caring for yourself in order to safely discharge from hospital.
Often we meet people in some of the most difficult times in their lives. The best part of my job is that I get to share in their journey while they recover. I am also lucky enough to work with some amazing people!
2. What does a typical day at the hospital look like for you?
My typical day consists of:
Step 1: Get to work a bit early so I can grab a coffee and make a plan for the day (Note: working in the hospital can be fast paced so this plan often changes throughout the day).
Step 2: When working on the rehabilitation ward I work closely with the nurses, physiotherapists and doctors (and other staff) so I like to have a quick catch up with them first thing to discuss the progress of any patients.
Step 3: I then see people to complete a range of different functional and cognitive assessments. This helps guide the therapy that I and the team provide directed towards achieving their goals.
Step 4: I sometimes complete home visits where I am able to assess people in their own home environment. From here I often prescribe equipment or home modifications to facilitate their return home.
Step 5: Lastly I complete any documentation, sit in on multidisciplinary meetings and meet any new patients who have admitted to the rehabilitation ward.
3. What’s one thing about your role that surprises people?
Males make up only around 10% of occupational therapists.
4. What did the year 2020 teach you?
Like everyone in the broader community, 2020 (and 2021) has been particularly challenging for us in healthcare. During this time I have witnessed patients, their family members and my colleagues make sacrifices to ensure the best health outcomes are met.
For me this has reinforced a sense of resilience within our community and being able to rely on each other when times get tough.
5. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Some of the members of the allied health department go for a surf every Friday (I am a bit less committed in Winter). Other than that, I love playing football and spending time with my friends and family.
Learn more about Year of the Health and Care Worker and Buderim Private Hospital