A Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapist: Assistive Technology & Home Modifications

claire2876
2 days ago
3 min read

There’s no such thing as a “typical” day when you work as an Occupational Therapist in the community — and that’s exactly why so many clinicians love it.

One morning might involve helping a child access their classroom more successfully through sensory supports and seating recommendations. By the afternoon, you could be completing a home modification assessment for an older adult wanting to remain safely at home after a hospital admission.

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, Occupational Therapists work across paediatrics, adult disability, neurological conditions, mental health, and aged care. Our therapists support clients across homes, schools, clinics, workplaces, and community environments throughout the Shoalhaven and Illawarra.

8:00am – Team Planning & Coffee

The day often begins with a quick team huddle. Therapists connect with allied health assistants, speech pathologists, and the broader multidisciplinary team to review priorities, discuss complex clients, and coordinate supports.

Because collaboration is a major part of community allied health, no clinician works in isolation. Whether you’re a new graduate or senior therapist, support is always available.

9:00am – Assistive Technology Assessment

The first appointment of the day may involve trialling assistive technology with a client.

This could include:

Manual wheelchairs
Power wheelchairs
Shower commodes
Pressure care equipment
Adjustable beds
Transfer equipment
Daily living aids

Occupational Therapists assess not only the equipment itself, but how it fits into the client’s goals, environment, routines, and long-term independence.

The role combines clinical reasoning, creativity, and problem solving every single day.

11:30am – School Visit

Next stop might be a local school to support a child with seating supports or modifications to the school environment.

One of the best parts of paediatric OT is celebrating the small wins — tying shoelaces independently, participating in class activities, or confidently joining playground games.

1:00pm – Report Writing & Administration

Unlike many fast-paced healthcare settings, modern allied health practices are increasingly prioritising sustainable workloads and structured admin time.

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, therapists receive extensive administrative and allied health assistant support to reduce paperwork burden and allow clinicians to focus on client care. Flexible work arrangements and work-from-home administration days also support work-life balance.

2:30pm – Home Modification Assessment

The afternoon may involve assessing a client’s home environment after injury, illness, or functional decline.

An Occupational Therapist may recommend:

Grab rails
Ramps
Bathroom modifications
Accessible kitchens
Stair access solutions
Falls prevention strategies

The goal is simple: helping people remain independent and safe in their own homes for as long as possible.

4:00pm – Professional Development & Team Collaboration

Many community-based OT roles include mentoring, supervision, and professional development opportunities.

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, clinicians are supported through structured supervision, internal training, mentoring, and leadership development pathways.