Kelly Hopkins

I currently work as Senior Physiotherapist, in the Transitional Aged Care Program, as part of Community Health, Prince of Wales Hospital Randwick. I provide goal based physiotherapy to clients over 65years of aged who have had an extended hospital admission, by supporting them to achieve their confidence, function and independence at home following discharge from hospital. TACP works closely as a multidisciplinary collaborative team to provide slow stream therapy to clients in their own home environment, in collaboration with their family, carers and general practitioners. I am actively involved in Quality Improvement Projects both within TACP and the physiotherapy team. I share the running of an exercise and falls prevention class for TACP clients. I am the supervisor for the junior TACP physiotherapist .

I was very grateful for the opportunity to act as TACP manager for 6 weeks in 2024. I thoroughly enjoyed this time and pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

I worked closely with CNC and Administration to ensure 100% TACP occupancy was achieved.

Managed staff and leave request - planned and unplanned.

Supported and communicated with staff to resolve any team conflicts.

Chaired TACP Monthly Team Meeting.

Chaired daily huddle meeting via Teams.

Streamlined communication process to foster. transparency with clinicians and community aides.

Guided and supported clinicians in complex case discussions.

Successfully backfilled social work long service leave.

Successfully recruited and employed a new Occupational Therapist.

Assisted as a clinical lead in preparation for Hospital accreditation.

Assisted in the development of staff handout for accreditation.

Submitted support plan reviews via My Aged Care.

Completed monthly data reports.

Reviewed daily activity data of staff and provided feedback where necessary.

Liaised closely with representatives from the Ministry of Health.

Assisted management completing annual summary report for TACP.

Supported clinical staff to successfully do their job.

Healthy at home was a 6 week pilot program aimed at decreasing hospital presentations for persons over 65years living in the community. Referrals were received via the GP. The program had a large focus on health promotion & each package was aligned with COMPACKS. The multidisciplinary therapy team conducted a thorough assessment in the clients home and provided recommendations, necessary referrals to speech therapy, dietitian, podiatrist, home exercise programs, falls prevention education, pressure injury prevention education with the aim of avoiding hospital presentation for those deemed at risk. We worked very closely with the community nursing teams and Geriatricians. The physiotherapist was also responsible for running a Falls Prevention Program to all registered clients, This also included coordinating transport with COMPACKS.

Whist working as a junior physiotherapist at Metro Rehab Hospital, I was 'head hunted' by the directors to step up into the Rehabilitation Coordinator Role. It was a 2 armed role. A marketing role for the private hospital and bed manager.

As the bed manager was responsible for liaising with all surrounding hospitals, receiving referrals for rehabilitation, completing a comprehensive assessment in hospital (functional, medical, social), liaising with family, in addition, completing a health fund screen to ensure the client was appropriate for rehabilitation and then coordinate admission date. I was solely responsible for ensuring the hospital was achieving one hundred percent bed occupancy every day. I was liaising daily with the DON and NUM providing handover of expected admissions and discharges. My experience in this high pressured role provided me with a lot of my leadership, communication, organisation, coordination, assessment skills that I have been able to adapt into my future physiotherapy roles.

As the marketing manager, I was responsible for attending allied health conferences held throughout NSW, liaising and forming relationships with potential referrers. This task alone takes exceptional interpersonal and communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships and promote a business.

Because of this role, I have a greater understanding of how a business continues to thrive.