Bianca Polson
Brooklyn Park,SA
Summary
I am a deeply passionate Occupational Therapist with much curiosity, life experience, and reflective capacity. Proven to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and experience serving clients from ages 3-100+ years. Committed to being a supportive team member, whilst having plenty of experience working independently. Strong therapeutic approach in a range of settings to support individuals, groups, and communities to have equal opportunities to participate
meaningfully in life. I have a range of experience in aged care, primary qualitative research, and running community development projects within local council and government services.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist
Therapy Connect
Remote, National
03.2025 - Current
- Working within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across all ages and disability including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Intellectual Disability, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, etc.
- Completion of Functional Capacity Assessments involving evidence-based assessment tools, interviews, and gathering information from an individual's networks.
- Provision of 1:1 therapy via telehealth and/or parent consultation/education.
- Management of own diary, calendar, and working flexibly online with national network of practitioners and leadership staff.
Occupational Therapist
Autism SA
Elizabeth, SA
01.2023 - 02.2025
- Developed and implemented intervention plans that included sensory integration approaches, environmental and activity modifications for
neurodivergent children, teenagers, and adults. - Completion of functional capacity assessments and developed personalised resources for individuals including home exercise programs, sensory diets,
and a range of visual supports. - Demonstrated capacity to work with a client and family-centered approach to provide psychoeducation to families/caregivers, support workers, and educators. Also practiced in linking clients and families with other services
(allied health and mainstream). - Facilitation of group programs including aquatic skills therapy group, cooking skills group, social engagement groups, and foundation skills
group (3-5 year olds). - Worked across a range of settings including clinic, client homes, and schools.
- Familiar with a range of standardised assessments including WHODAS, ABAS-3, Movement-ABC, REAL, SP2, SPM-2, BOT-2, Beery-VMI.
- Worked in multidisciplinary settings including liasons with support
coordinators.
Researcher
The University Of South Australia
Adelaide, SA
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Analysis of preliminary data to determine relevant research question.
- Application of theoretical models to inform methods of data collection.
- Participant recruitment through on ground exploration of cultural lived experiences, priorities, and available resources. Online recruitment using social media and radio interview.
- Conduction of remote interview with research participants.
- Transcription and analysis of data including identification of barriers and facilitators, cross-referencing with existing research data, and generating recommendations for future policy design.
- Working within frameworks and guide lines such as Human Research Ethics Committee and The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines.
- Publication in The Health Promotion Journal of Australia .
Occupational Therapist
MoveOT
North Adelaide, SA
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Worked across numerous funding streams including privately paid, My Aged Care, and National Disability Insurance Scheme. Worked across the lifespan with various health conditions including mental health, paediatrics, aged-care, physical, and cognitive disability.
- Performed evaluations of patients to assess their physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial functioning. Assessments included AMPS, MOCA, WHODAS, Vineland, HOMEFAST falls screening, visual testing, and physical testing including UL strength/range of motion/nerve testing, and gait assessments.
- Conducted educational seminars related to occupational therapy topics such as ergonomics and injury prevention with support workers and care staff.
- Supported family members by providing education about the condition of the patient and available resources.
- Experience with simple home modifications including assessments and intervention (measurements, planning, liason with builders).
- Instructed patients and families in self-care techniques including energy conservation strategies.
- Assessment and prescription of a range of adaptive equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters.
- Created reports documenting patient assessments, treatments provided, progress made towards goals and recommendations for future care.
- Collaborated with other health care professionals to develop comprehensive treatment programs for patients.
Education
Tina Champagne Sensory Modulation And Trauma Informed Care Masterclass - Trauma Informed Care
Occupational Therapy Australia
06-2024
Occupational Therapy (Level 1 Honours By Research)
University Of South Australia
Adelaide01-2021
Foundations of Qualitative Methodologies, Data Collection And Analysis - Qualitative Research
Australian Consortium of Social Political Research
02-2021
Skills
- Rapport building skills
- Direct patient care
- Initial assessments
- Client-centered approaches
- Multi-discliplinary ethic
- Passion for healthy-aging (and active anti-ageist!)
- Research
- Group therapy
- Co-design in novel programs
- LGBTQIA safety
- Trauma-informed approaches
Referees
Upon request.
Timeline
Occupational Therapist
Therapy Connect
03.2025 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Autism SA
01.2023 - 02.2025
Researcher
The University Of South Australia
01.2022 - 05.2025
Occupational Therapist
MoveOT
01.2022 - 01.2023
Occupational Therapy (Level 1 Honours By Research)
University Of South Australia
Tina Champagne Sensory Modulation And Trauma Informed Care Masterclass - Trauma Informed Care
Occupational Therapy Australia
Foundations of Qualitative Methodologies, Data Collection And Analysis - Qualitative Research
Australian Consortium of Social Political Research
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