Ann Walker
Perth,WA
Summary
As a qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with a 20-year career in the Healthcare, Disability, Aged Care, and Mental Health sectors, I have a proven track record in clinical work, complex care coordination, and interagency collaboration within government and non-profit organisations. I am a strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organisational efficiency through quality improvement activities. My recent postgraduate studies in Business Administration and Governance support my career goals of working within the corporate governance and risk management space.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Governance (Quality) Manager
EverAbility Group
07.2022 - Current
- Directly report to the Chief Operating Officer to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate clinical governance systems, policies, procedures, and processes across the organisation to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory standards
- Successfully embedded the EverAbility Clinical Governance Framework, aligned with the NSQHS national model, to underpin the organisation's clinical safety and quality standards
- Execution of strategic objectives by developing and implementing a clinical governance operational plan, with the executive team monitoring corresponding key performance indicators
- External Audit Leadership by leading teams across the organisation to fully comply with external audit requirements for NDIS, Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), and Job Access Programs
- Government Liaison by working with key external contacts within Government Departments to ensure adherence to system requirements and regulations - Department of Social Services, the NDIS Safety and Quality Commission, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- Clinical Governance Committee Chair by driving governance and quality improvements across the organisation
- EverAbility ICT Steering Group Member to ensure the organisation's futureproofing by relevant governance standards
- Incident Management EverAbility Incident Management Program by recording and analysing trends, as discussed in the Clinical Governance Committee
- Risk Management - Developed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated the EverAbility Clinical Risk Register to manage and mitigate risks effectively
- Policy and Framework Project Delivery is the delivery of organisational-wide policies and frameworks, such as the Child Safe Organisation framework (Australian Human Rights Commission), ensuring the safeguarding of children and adolescents through effective stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and reporting on key deliverables to the executive team
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives based on data analysis, client feedback, best practices, quality standards, and indicators in relevant areas
- Client Advisory Group - led the development of a Client Advisory Group to inform policy and strategic planning, providing feedback on service quality at EverAbility (WA and TAS)
- Quality Management and Risk Mitigation: Data from quality management systems are used to inform and ensure safe, high-quality services and actively manage and mitigate risks
- Leadership and Guidance on clinical governance issues, including risk management, incident management, complaints management, and quality improvement in line with relevant quality standards
- Delivery of training and education programs on clinical governance issues for staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring a skilled workforce
- Supervised, mentored, and coached staff to foster professional development and organisational excellence.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Casual Position (Full-time MBA Studies)
Therapy Plan
04.2022 - 07.2022
- Functional capacity, Assistive Technology, Specialist Disability Accommodation, Supported Independent Living assessment and reports as mandated by NDIA (home-based and residential care)
- Liaison with NDIA as required regarding participant needs
- Liaison with support coordinators from the non-government disability sector.
Project Manager (Infrastructure and Capital Projects)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Provision of strategic advice and leadership in the delivery of significant capital projects and strategic asset planning within WA Health infrastructure projects based on the Strategic Asset Management Framework (WA Government)
- Actively leading, promoting, guiding, and facilitating high governance standards, practice, and professional services for programs, project management, and infrastructure development related to WA Health
- Leading project teams to ensure successful delivery and achieving clients’ strategic objectives
- Contributed to the setting of strategic business direction and the achievement of corporate goals.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
- Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Neurological Outpatient Service
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
08.2019 - 02.2021
- Planned and developed strategic and operational services, including human, financial, and material resources, to establish a new neurological outpatient service
- Formulated policies and procedures, liaised with stakeholders, and implemented evaluation strategies to foster continued growth and quality improvement of the service
- Established a data analytics database to facilitate monthly financial and clinical outcomes analysis, ensuring alignment with departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Coordinated and implemented the operational delivery of specialist occupational therapy services for patients with complex neurological conditions
- Cultivated and maintained relationships with other health services to enhance the referral process and increase referral numbers, thereby achieving monthly financial and clinical outcomes (KPIs)
- Conducted data analytics on monthly referral data to demonstrate the achievement of activity KPIs
- Conducted needs assessments and identified service delivery gaps within the North Metropolitan Health Service
- Sourced and established referral pathways with both internal and external service providers
- Developed, planned, and applied clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of patient needs
- Initiated professional development programs aimed at improving patient outcomes
- Provided mentoring, clinical support, and supervision to junior staff members, students, and support staff
- Authored clinical guidelines and procedures for neurological conditions within the outpatient caseload
- Monitored and maintained systems and databases with patient information to evaluate service effectiveness.
Complex Care Coordinator
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
05.2015 - 08.2019
- Holistic Care Coordination through Managed Care Coordination for medically and socially complex patients within the community, employing a comprehensive approach to engaging with various sectors (Health, Disability, Aged Care, Mental Health) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to address patient needs effectively
- Stakeholder Engagement: facilitating stakeholder engagement across all levels, including functional areas and external services, to develop treatment pathways and improve healthcare access for at-risk patient cohorts
- Healthcare Utilisation Management by developing strategies and work programs to manage and reduce excessive healthcare utilisation, including ongoing evaluation and reporting on program progress
- Primary Care Governance Improvement by engaging with external healthcare and non-government providers to enhance primary care governance and alleviate the burden on WA Health services
- Complex Analysis and Research: Conducting complex analyses and research on the state’s performance in managing complex patients, benchmarking against industry and international standards to identify trends and inform future clinical reform agendas
- Stakeholder Engagement Project Lead - stakeholder engagement project, overseeing the project scope, planning, implementation, and delivery to identify key stakeholders and develop strategies to increase referrals metro-wide
- Project Supervision to project support team members to ensure timely and budget-compliant project delivery
- Advanced Care Coordination: Provide advanced-level hospital and community-care coordination for patients with complex needs to reduce the burden on the health system
- Fieldwork Team Leadership: Establishing and maintaining networks with the Curtin School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work to facilitate timely student placements within the service.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely follow-up and appropriate interventions.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners, facilitating referrals and collaboration on behalf of patients.
- Improved communication among healthcare providers, streamlining the coordination of services for patients.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Coordinated discharge planning, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home or other facilities.
Senior Project Officer
Department of Clinical Planning and Development
07.2014 - 05.2015
- Project Lead for a project aimed at enhancing services for inpatients with complex needs at North Metropolitan Health, improving patients' hospital journey experience
- Developed the project scope, planning, implementation, communications, and stakeholder engagement phases
- Managed the stakeholder engagement plan, delivering relevant communications and workshops with key stakeholders
- Identified risks to project achievement and implemented risk mitigation strategies
- Monitored milestone achievement and resource compliance
- Effectively managed human, financial, and material resources to ensure project delivery on time and within budget
- Produced progress reports and drove activities to achieve key outcomes within agreed timeframes
- Engaged with multiple stakeholders and provided timely advice regarding issues or risks impacting project delivery
- Collected and analysed data to evaluate patient outcomes and the likelihood of re-admission
- Improved patient flow and holistic healthcare for the complex disability cohort, integrating medical and mental healthcare
- Facilitated workshops with internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness of people with disabilities and their unique needs in the health system
- Developed partnerships with community-based government and non-government disability organisations
- Created a clinical pre-admission pathway accounting for 78% of all admissions for persons with disabilities
- Represented the project on the Project Steering Committee, comprising stakeholders from various sectors (Disability and Mental Health)
- Provided project support to the Project Manager and North Metro Health executive sponsor.
- Delivered high-quality results on time and within budget by diligently monitoring progress against established objectives.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, ensuring timely completion of milestones and deliverables.
- Contributed to strategic planning sessions with senior leadership teams to align projects with organizational goals and objectives.
- Evaluated completed projects for lessons learned, incorporating feedback to refine future initiatives and drive ongoing improvement.
- Navigated complex regulatory environments to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards throughout the entire project lifecycle.
- Established clear performance metrics for tracking project success, enabling informed decision-making throughout the process.
- Facilitated knowledge sharing among team members to enable efficient problem-solving during critical project phases.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Stroke Rehabilitation
Osborne Park Hospital
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Led program planning and service delivery activities for the stroke rehabilitation unit
- Conducted specialised stroke-specific occupational therapy assessments and interventions for outpatients
- Provided home-based rehabilitation to ensure better health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for patients
- Offered leadership, mentoring, and clinical supervision to occupational therapy staff, support staff, and students
- Provided consultation and clinical expertise to other occupational therapists and health professionals.
- Evaluated assistive technology options for patients with physical limitations, recommending devices that best met their needs for daily living tasks.
- Implemented home modification recommendations, enabling greater safety and autonomy for patients in their living environments.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives by analyzing data trends in patient outcomes and suggesting changes in treatment approaches when needed.
Acting Manager Occupational Therapy Outpatient Service
Osborne Park Hospital
10.2011 - 07.2012
- Managed a large team of junior and senior occupational therapists in the outpatient area
- Led and coordinated the workflow of the Aged Care Assessment Team to ensure effective service delivery
- Facilitated staff achievement of set KPIs through training and participation in quality improvement activities
- Completed comprehensive assessments of Aged Care Packages for community, residential care, and respite
- Managed staff HR activities, including recruitment, induction, and performance management
- Contributed to departmental strategic planning and implementation of organisational objectives
- Sourced funding opportunities and submitted proposals for assistance
- Managed workplace health and safety and equal opportunity activities.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Complex Discharge Planning Service
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
09.2010 - 09.2011
- Conducted risk screens and comprehensive clinical assessments to actively mitigate risks and issues
- Promoted and facilitated staff education on preventing functional decline within the hospital
- Provided clinical leadership to the Functional Maintenance group for inpatients
- Demonstrated clinical expertise in managing bariatric patients (>120kg)
- Developed comprehensive assessment and care plans to ensure continuity in patients' journeys to other programs
- Coordinated complex discharge plans for long-stay patients within a multidisciplinary context.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Gairdner Rehabilitation Unit
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
01.2008 - 10.2009
- Planned and developed strategic and operational services, including human, financial, and material resources, for the newly established occupational therapy service
- Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive clinical orientation and training program for staff
- Established service delivery outcomes and evaluation methods using a newly implemented data management system
- Created a data analytics database for monthly referral data analysis
- Conducted monthly analytics to ensure adherence to financial and clinical outcomes (KPIs)
- Developed policies and procedures, liaised with stakeholders, and reported on continuous service development and quality improvement evaluation strategies
- Coordinated and implemented the operational delivery of specialist occupational therapy services for patients with complex neurological conditions
- Cultivated and sustained relationships with other health services to enhance the referral process and increase referral numbers, achieving monthly financial and clinical outcomes (KPIs)
- Conducted research and identified service delivery gaps within the North Metropolitan Health Service
- Sourced and established referral pathways with internal and external service providers
- Developed, planned, and applied clinical skills in the assessment and interventions of patient needs
- Initiated professional development programs aimed at improving patient outcomes
- Provided mentoring, clinical support, and supervision to junior staff members, students, and support staff
- Authored clinical guidelines and procedures for managing neurological conditions within the service
- Facilitated workshops with internal and external stakeholders to educate them about the newly established service.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Gairdner Rehabilitation Unit
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
01.2008 - 10.2009
- Planned and developed strategic and operational services, including human, financial, and material resources, for the newly established occupational therapy service
- Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive clinical orientation and training program for staff
- Established service delivery outcomes and evaluation methods using a newly implemented data management system
- Created a data analytics database for monthly referral data analysis
- Conducted monthly analytics to ensure adherence to financial and clinical outcomes (KPIs)
- Developed policies and procedures, liaised with stakeholders, and reported on continuous service development and quality improvement evaluation strategies
- Coordinated and implemented the operational delivery of specialist occupational therapy services for patients with complex neurological conditions
- Cultivated and sustained relationships with other health services to enhance the referral process and increase referral numbers, achieving monthly financial and clinical outcomes (KPIs)
- Conducted research and identified service delivery gaps within the North Metropolitan Health Service
- Sourced and established referral pathways with internal and external service providers
- Developed, planned, and applied clinical skills in the assessment and interventions of patient needs
- Initiated professional development programs aimed at improving patient outcomes
- Provided mentoring, clinical support, and supervision to junior staff members, students, and support staff
- Authored clinical guidelines and procedures for managing neurological conditions within the service
- Facilitated workshops with internal and external stakeholders to educate them about the newly established service.
- Streamlined department processes by developing efficient documentation templates and protocols, reducing time spent on administrative tasks while maintaining compliance standards.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives by analyzing data trends in patient outcomes and suggesting changes in treatment approaches when needed.
- Led workshops for colleagues on emerging occupational therapy practices, encouraging continued professional development within the department.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based treatment plans and monitoring progress.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to provide comprehensive patient care and support.
- Provided education to empower patients and families to understand conditions, treatments and treatment options for managing symptoms.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
University of Western Australia
Perth, WA12.2022
Master of Occupational Therapy -
Curtin University
Perth, WA12.2004
Bachelor of Science - Medical Science
University of Western Australia
Perth1999
Skills
- Quality Management Systems
- Compliance Monitoring
- Risk Management
- Incident Management
- Regulatory and Legislative Compliance
- Internal auditing
- Continuous Improvement
- Analytical mindset
- Performance monitoring and Operational Excellence
- Cross-functional team Leadership and Collaboration
- Project Management
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Training and Development
- Business Administration
Affiliations
- Current AHPRA 2024 registration (Occupational Therapy) number: OCC0001751155
- Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
- Graduate Management Association of UWA (University of Western Australia Business School)
References
Available on Request
Timeline
Clinical Governance (Quality) Manager
EverAbility Group
07.2022 - Current
Casual Position (Full-time MBA Studies)
Therapy Plan
04.2022 - 07.2022
Project Manager (Infrastructure and Capital Projects)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)
11.2021 - 03.2022
Senior Occupational Therapist, Neurological Outpatient Service
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
08.2019 - 02.2021
Complex Care Coordinator
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
05.2015 - 08.2019
Senior Project Officer
Department of Clinical Planning and Development
07.2014 - 05.2015
Senior Occupational Therapist, Stroke Rehabilitation
Osborne Park Hospital
08.2012 - 06.2014
Acting Manager Occupational Therapy Outpatient Service
Osborne Park Hospital
10.2011 - 07.2012
Senior Occupational Therapist, Complex Discharge Planning Service
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
09.2010 - 09.2011
Senior Occupational Therapist, Gairdner Rehabilitation Unit
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
01.2008 - 10.2009
Senior Occupational Therapist, Gairdner Rehabilitation Unit
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
01.2008 - 10.2009
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
University of Western Australia
Master of Occupational Therapy -
Curtin University
Bachelor of Science - Medical Science
University of Western Australia
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