Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Lara Haynes

Royalla

Summary

Professional Summary
Certified Allied Health Assistant (Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy) since 2021 with five years of clinical experience supporting clients across diverse settings. Soon to undertake an eight-week occupational therapy placement at University of Canberra Hospital within the Brindabella Day and Ambulatory Rehabilitation service, gaining further experience in outpatient and community rehabilitation. Skilled in implementing therapist-designed interventions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting clients and families to maximise independence and engagement. Demonstrates strong adaptability, compassion, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Occupational Therapy Student

University of Canberra Hospital
08.2025 - 11.2025

Upcoming Occupational Therapy Placement – University of Canberra (Brindabella Day and Ambulatory Rehabilitation Service, Canberra Health Services)

Eight-week placement commencing October 2025, focused on outpatient rehabilitation. Experience will include:

  • Exposure to hospital and community-based rehabilitation.
  • Developing knowledge of neurological conditions, orthopaedics, and general medical (e.g. falls prevention).
  • Building skills in functional assessments, cognitive screening, home safety and modifications, energy conservation and pacing.
  • Experience in return-to-work, leisure, training, and client/carer education.

Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant

House on the Hill Paediatric Therapy Services
05.2021 - Current

Here, I completed a student placement and was gladly offered employment later that year. I have progressed my skills in paediatric occupational therapy in home, school and clinic environments. I continue to work with well-rounded knowledge and skill-based staff that are family-centred and offer a wide variety of evidence-based therapy interventions to help meet each child’s individual needs.


Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:

Client-centred care - Learned to tailor therapy activities to each child’s unique needs, interests, and goals.

Therapy program implementation - Gained experience implementing therapist-designed intervention plans (OT, physio, and speech) with fidelity, while adapting activities in real-time to ensure engagement and therapeutic benefit.

Functional skill development focus - Supported clients in developing independence in daily occupations (self-care, play, learning).

Communication skills- Developed strong skills in communicating with clients with diverse communication abilities.

Family and carer collaboration - Built experience working alongside parents and carers to reinforce therapy strategies in the home environment.

Documentation and reporting - Maintained accurate therapy records and provided feedback to supervising therapists.

Behaviour management and engagement strategies - Learned to use creative and flexible strategies to motivate participation and manage behavioural challenges.

Interdisciplinary teamwork - Worked collaboratively with OTs, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, and admin staff.

Autonomy and professional responsibility - Delivering set therapy programs, managing schedules, and preparing resources independently.

Adaptability across environments - Provide therapy support across clinic, school, and home settings.

Occupational Therapy Professional Practice 1

Harbour Therapy
05.2024 - 07.2024

During my first university occupational therapy placement, I worked in a paediatric and adult private clinic, gaining hands-on experience and developing foundational skills in occupational therapy. My supervisors and colleagues supported me well, which allowed me to broaden my knowledge and practical abilities in a clinical setting.

Key learning outcomes include:

Adaptive & flexibility - Adapted to unpredictable situations, effectively managing time and resources when clients were absent to maintain productivity.

Communication - Enhanced receptive and expressive language skills to improve clients’ communications in daily occupations.

Daily living skills - Assisted clients with daily living skills, including cooking, cleaning, washing, and folding, to enhance their independence.

Initials & Collaboration - Participated and engaged in initial assessments and collaborated with parents, carers, and teachers to develop comprehensive, occupation-based support plans.

Visuals - Created social stories to help clients understand and navigate social situations, supporting their social skills and occupational participation.

Documentation - Wrote detailed documentation following sessions with clients, ensuring thorough record-keeping and effective communication with the interdisciplinary team.

Student Physiotherapy Allied Health Assistant

Canberra Hospital
06.2021 - 06.2021

Here, I experienced and strengthened my skills in a hospital setting in the Acute Aged Care and Rehabilitation ward. I worked alongside numerous allied health professionals and was a welcomed member of the team.


Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:

  • Demonstrating a consistently high level of professional behaviour and maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality (e.g., three ID points).
  • Ability to adjust communication styles to meet patient needs (e.g., hearing impaired).
  • Writing efficient, clear, and concise ISOAP notes.
  • Ability to follow physiotherapy mobility programs in a variety of ward-based settings.
  • Consistently distinguish levels of prescribed mobility assistance.
  • Identify and set up a wide range of mobility equipment, including 4WW, Sara Steady, Single Point Stick and Forearm Support Frame.

Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant

Move Play Listen Learn
04.2021 - 12.2021

Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:


  • Improved ability to build relationships with clients.
  • Monitoring client progress.
  • Effective communication with supervising health professionals and family members/guardians.
  • Thorough documentation and record keeping.
  • Working collaboratively with staff on risk management and patient safety.
  • Preparing for therapy sessions.
  • Appropriate infection control measures.
  • Tailoring approach with difficulties such as sensory processing, gross motor and fine motor skills, problem-solving, visual motor integration, communication, bilateral coordination, attention, and regulation.

Childcare Worker

St Clare of Assisi Primary School Outside of Hours School Care
05.2018 - 06.2022

Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:


  • Maintaining safety and wellbeing of groups of children in dynamic environments, showing vigilance, responsibility, and strong risk management skills
  • Worked closely with parents and team members to support children’s participation and wellbeing, building strong professional relationship
  • Managed competing responsibilities and problem-solved on the spot when challenges arose, demonstrating autonomy and accountability.
  • Display leadership and promote teamwork throughout group activities.
  • Planned and organised activities with attention to individual needs, safety, and participation.
  • Respect and abide workplace policies and procedures, including infection control, health and safety, incident and trauma response, safe storage of hazardous substances, WHS, and professional conduct standards.

Restaurant Waitress

Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club
08.2018 - 04.2021

Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:


  • The fast-paced environment of taking orders, greeting customers, topping up water, serving meals and assisting other staff built myself an exceptional ability to multitask confidently.
  • Clear and concise communication to ensure every area of the club ran effortlessly.
  • Customer service expertise through building rapport with staff and customers.


Point of Sale

Power Kart Raceway
05.2014 - 01.2018

Key learning outcomes and transferrable skills include:


  • Developed resilience through handling company criticism and resolving consumer complaints.
  • Active listening skills that promoted a customer focused service.
  • Taking pride in appearance within a workplace.
  • Ability to work independently and successfully in a team-based environment.

Education

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Occupational Therapy

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
01.2021

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Physiotherapy

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
01.2021

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -

University of Canberra
Canberra, ACT
10-2026

Certified Nutrition Coach - undefined

Australian Institute of Fitness
01.2019

Year 12 Certificate - undefined

St Mary Mackillop College

Skills

  • Ability to work in a team
  • Hard-working
  • Focused and determined
  • Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
  • Quality time management/organisation
  • Creative and enthusiastic
  • Empathetic and compassionate

Accomplishments

  • University of Canberra Dean's Excellence Award 2023
  • Certificate II in Business Administration 2017
  • Outstanding Application to Studies 2015
  • Infection Control Training (Covid-19) 2020
  • Certificate of Completion for Hand Hygiene - Student Health Practitioners, National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI)
  • Current Driver’s License
  • Working with Vulnerable People Card
  • ACT Irish Dancing Champion (2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)
  • National Irish Dancing participant and World Qualifier (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)

Certification

  • Certificate II in Business Administration 2017
  • Outstanding Application to Studies 2015
  • CPR Training – Completed May 2024
  • First Aid 2019-2024
  • Infection Control Training (Covid-19) 2020
  • Certificate of Completion for Hand Hygiene - Student Health Practitioners, National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI)
  • Certificate of Completion for Keeping Children and Young People Safe – Community Services, ACT Government.
  • Current Driver’s License
  • Working with Vulnerable People Card
  • ACT Irish Dancing Champion (2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)
  • National Irish Dancing participant and World Qualifier (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Timeline

Occupational Therapy Student

University of Canberra Hospital
08.2025 - 11.2025

Occupational Therapy Professional Practice 1

Harbour Therapy
05.2024 - 07.2024

Student Physiotherapy Allied Health Assistant

Canberra Hospital
06.2021 - 06.2021

Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant

House on the Hill Paediatric Therapy Services
05.2021 - Current

Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant

Move Play Listen Learn
04.2021 - 12.2021

Restaurant Waitress

Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club
08.2018 - 04.2021

Childcare Worker

St Clare of Assisi Primary School Outside of Hours School Care
05.2018 - 06.2022

Point of Sale

Power Kart Raceway
05.2014 - 01.2018

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Physiotherapy

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)

Certified Nutrition Coach - undefined

Australian Institute of Fitness

Year 12 Certificate - undefined

St Mary Mackillop College

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Occupational Therapy

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -

University of Canberra
Lara Haynes