Kate is a qualified Occupational Therapist obtaining her Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in 2003. Kate commenced her career in clinical hospital and community based OT completing assessment and treatment of Activities of Daily Living, mobility, cognition, manual handling and health education both in Australia and the UK.
Kate commenced working in the Vocational Rehabilitation field in 2007 completing extensive return to work activity including functional assessment, pre-employment assessments, return to work planning, ergonomic assessment, pain management education and manual handling training. Kate has worked with a wide range of industries including manufacturing, mining, aged care, agricultural, retail, clerical, hospital and transport services. Kate has provided services in numerous schemes including SA and WA workers compensation, Self Insured, ComCare, TAC Victoria, CTP schemes in SA, NSW and Qld and DVA. Kate also has experience conducting medico-legal Activities of Daily Living assessments across multiple schemes.
In 2011 Kate progressed to the insurance sector working as an Injury Management Consultant to one of Australia’s major workers compensation insurers, reviewing claims and providing advice and education in regards to appropriate claims, injury management and treatment of workplace injuries. More recently Kate has been working in workers compensation regulation in a provider management role and gaining exposure to government relations, service design and legislation drafting.
Kate has had experience with a broad variety of medical conditions throughout her career including:
- Musculoskeletal – soft tissue, bony injury, joint replacement, amputation, degenerative conditions, poly trauma, fibromyalgia, whiplash
- Neurological – Stroke, brain injury, spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia, peripheral nerve injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.
- Cardiothoracic – Myocardial Infarction, Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, peripheral vascular disease
- Medical – Major trauma, burns, vision impairment, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, autoimmune disorders
- Psychological – Depression, anxiety, PTSD
Kate is trained in the use of the Functional Independence Measure (FIMs), Standardised Cognitive assessments such as the Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Kate has also been trained in the use of the AMA guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition (AMA5) and the WA and SA Workers Compensation Permanent Impairment guidelines.
In addition to her clinical skills, Kate is also experienced in providing advice and implementing injury management systems, claims management, disputes and compliance of Impairment Assessments. Kate is also experienced in training across a wide range of topics within her expertise.