Tag Archives: NDIS

InProfile with Tim Cooper, Senior Physiotherapist

Website blog 1500 x 600 Tim Cooper

In Profile with Tim Cooper, Senior Physiotherapist

MVP winner Tim Cooper, Senior Physiotherapist shares his background and love for aged care physio. Regarded highly by his colleagues as “the loveliest physiotherapist” his kind, gentle and encouraging personality is admired by many of our clients.  With an affection for basketball, kayaking and the Foo Fighters, what’s not to love about Tim!

 

Why did you choose Empower?

I was moving on from 10 years in private practice and looking for employment that was flexible with my schedule of looking after kids, while decreasing some of the stress that a private clinic can bring.

I got an instantly warm vibe from both Matthew (COO) and Adam (CEO), who made the Empower team seem like a big family.  I haven’t felt so relaxed in an interview, which I knew was a sign that this was a place I wanted to be.

To top it off, being a tragic Michael Jordan fan growing up, I saw a framed Jordan poster in Matt’s office during my interview and knew I was making the right decision!

What do you love most about your job?

In aged care, you often see clients for longer periods than in a private practice setting. I believe this allows you to form strong bonds with the people you are treating. It’s a fulfilling sensation providing a service to someone who you get to know so well. I have one client who says I remind her of her son and loads me up with chocolate (not any old chocolate either – Ferrero Rocher!) before I leave each session. It doesn’t get much better than that.

What has been your most memorable moment?

Helping someone restore function that has been lost for so long is as satisfying to me as it is to the client. It may not seem like much, however I have a client who hadn’t been able to touch her head (making self care impossible) due to her shoulder pain over a number of years. After a progressive strengthening program she is now able to do all of her self-care independently, whilst also reaching to the top shelf of the fridge!

In what ways has Empower supported your growth personally & professionally?

Empower have been so accommodating in supporting my work-life balance, which can be difficult to find in some workplaces. This has been highlighted recently by allowing me to juggle of seeing clients while managing recent home-schooling duties that accompanied the COVID-19 outbreak.

Empower host regular PD events, help foster team cohesion, in addition to having a supportive management team. All these factors are vital in providing the scaffolding for professional growth. When I started at Empower I had several staff members share hints and tips to make my transition into the workplace easier. Coming from a busy private clinic, this support was most welcome.

In your new role, what will you be looking to achieve in 2020?

In any job, it is important to set personal goals and always work towards something to keep things interesting. I have several goals that I am working towards this year. After working in private practice for so long, my clientele with neurological disorders were rare. As there is a variety of conditions across all aspects of physiotherapy in aged care, my aim is to brush up on a range of specific neuro-physiotherapy treatment techniques.

The joy of physiotherapy comes with helping a client achieve their goals. My main focus for the year is to make as many of their goals a reality. Due to Empower having a multi-disciplinary team at your fingertips, in addition to working closely with case managers, I am looking forward to utilising these services to really make as much of a positive impact for my clients.

What piece of advice would you give your new graduate self?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of more experienced physios. Clinical experience is where most of your learning will come from, which as a new graduate is obviously in short supply. Building rapport with your team leader to discuss clients and conditions is the most effective way to put all the pieces together.

Out of the workplace, what are your interests and hobbies?

Other than spending quality time with my wife and 2 kids, my other passions involve a lot of sports. I still play basketball, enjoy the football (mad Eagles supporter) and enjoy taking my kayak out in the bay over the summer. I have a fiddle around with my guitar, which normally involves a feeble attempt to play along with the Foo Fighters. I also love podcasts and go through countless episodes from my favourite hosts when travelling between appointments.

Written by Tim Cooper

Tim joined the Empower family in Oct, 2019.

NEW Disability-Related Allied Health Supports

Blog Banner  Therapy Services Available through the NEW Disability Related Health Supports

Therapy Services Available through the NEW Disability-Related Health Supports

Health related issues for people with a disability are not uncommon, and often impact on their ability to independence and choice under the NDIS. The NDIA recognised this last year and in October 2019, included an additional range of disability-related health supports to purchase using NDIS funding, if they are a regular part of the Participant’s life and a result of their disability.

Many of these health-related disability supports can be claimed using existing line items for disability support workers and therapists (including OTs, physiotherapists, psychologists, ECEI specialists, dieticians and exercise physiologists).

Here’s a dietetic example of how we can now provide additional allied health-related support services.

“With a PEG the role of a dietitian is working out the feeding regimes. We don’t do tube changes or assist in maintenance of the PEG, but we do give advice on water flushes of the tubes which is just a part of PEG management. The main care for a PEG is done by medical of nursing staff. We can also assist care facilities on developing or reviewing their PEG policies”

Shirley Webber, Senior Dietitian Empower Dietitian

Empower Healthcare’s Range of Disability-Related Allied Health Supports

Empower Healthcare provides the following services for these health-related supports and can discuss how these supports can be assessed and implemented.

Podiatry Disability-Related Health Supports

  • Assessment, development, implementation and periodic review of a podiatry care plan by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent clinician
  • Training of an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker to implement the podiatry care plan and perform any required daily maintenance and care related to the plan

Diabetic Management Disability-Related Health Supports

  • Development and periodic review of a diabetic management plan by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent clinician
  • Implementation of a diabetic management plan and daily maintenance and care by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker
  • Training of an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker to implement a diabetic management plan

Nutrition Disability-Related Health Supports

  • Dietetic consultations and the development and periodic review of a nutritional meal plan by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent clinician
  • Implementation of a nutritional meal plan by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker
  • Training of an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker to implement the nutritional meal plan
  • Provision of PEG maintenance and care by a suitably qualified and competent worker
  • Training of an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker to provide PEG maintenance and care

Wound and Pressure Care Disability-Related Health Supports

  • Wound care and pressure care (including pressure injury management) by an NDIS-funded suitably qualified and competent worker.

 

For more information, download the Department of Social Services fact sheet

Download

 

NDIS dietetics_meal preparation, allied health services

Let Us Help You with All Your NDIS Needs

As a registered NDIS provider with experience in the assessment & treatment of a variety of conditions and strong partnerships with leading equipment and home modification providers, we can facilitate all your allied health needs provisioned under the NDIS.

We assist NDIS participants from 10 – 64 years of age.

Our convenient, NDIS services range from provide clients with high quality occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, and dietetics, and in the comfort of their own environment.

These services also include timely and effective communication to support the administration of your clients’ funds.

We want your client’s to experience the best allied health services, and stay independent, happy, healthy in their own home.

 

We Understand Your NDIS Needs and Deliver

Rapid Response – that’s our service guarantee

  • We acknowledge all NDIS referrals within 4 hours.
  • Appointments are booked within 48 hours.

Prompt Treatment

  • Initial appointments completed within 14 days of referral.

Continuity of Care

  • The same clinician will be assigned to all appointments for a consumer.

Timely Reporting

  • We update Case Managers on the same day or within 24 hours of initial appointment.

Cost Effective Services

  • There are no hidden fees.
  • Our pricing includes travel, treatment and documentation time.

Professional and Friendly Team

  • We take the time to get to know every consumer, allowing us to create meaningful care plans to support their life goals.
  • We are experts in co-ordinating services provided through the NDIS and scheduling private consultations.

 

Our NDIS Service Regions

Victoria

  • Greater Metropolitan Melbourne and surrounds
  • Mornington Peninsula
  • Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula

Western Australia

  • Greater Metropolitan Perth and surrounds

 

Learn more on our NDIS Services

Empower NDIS Flyer

Download Empower’s NDIS

 

How To Arrange NDIS Services With Empower

Our friendly support team to get started on (03) 9583 1364

 

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