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If you’re considering a career in allied health assistance, you may be wondering what a typical day looks like for someone working in this field. Allied health assistants (AHAs) work alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists to help patients recover from injuries, manage disabilities, and improve their overall well-being.
Each day as an AHA is dynamic and fulfilling, offering opportunities to work with a diverse range of patients in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities, and disability support services. Let’s take a look at what a typical workday might involve for an allied health assistant, particularly one specialising in rehabilitation and reablement support. 8:00 AM – Morning Preparation and Team Briefing
Your day starts with a morning briefing where you meet with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals to discuss the day’s schedule. You will: ✅ Review patient case notes and therapy goals.
✅ Prepare rehabilitation spaces with exercise equipment, therapy mats, or assistive devices.
✅ Organise patient records and update therapy schedules.
At this stage, you might check in with nurses to see if patients need additional support before therapy sessions begin. 9:00 AM – Assisting with Therapy Sessions in a Rehabilitation Clinic
Your first appointment of the day could involve working with a stroke patient who needs help regaining mobility. Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, you will:
✅ Assist the patient in performing leg-strengthening exercises to improve walking ability.
✅ Use balance boards and parallel bars to enhance stability.
✅ Provide motivational encouragement and track progress.
These therapy sessions are critical in helping patients rebuild strength and independence after major health events like strokes, fractures, or surgeries.
💡 Example: A stroke survivor may need daily therapy for 6–12 weeks to regain mobility and independence. Your role as an AHA is to support them every step of the way. 10:30 AM – Occupational Therapy Support in an Aged Care Facility
Next, you might travel to an aged care facility to assist an elderly resident recovering from hip surgery. With guidance from an occupational therapist, you help them:
✅ Learn to use a walker or cane safely.
✅ Practice getting in and out of a chair without assistance.
✅ Adapt daily activities, such as dressing and cooking, to regain independence.
💡 Did You Know? Many seniors prefer to stay in their own homes rather than move to assisted living. Allied health professionals play a key role in ensuring they can remain independent for as long as possible. 12:00 PM – Lunch Break and Team Discussions
After a busy morning, you take a well-earned break. You might use this time to: ✔ Review patient progress with colleagues over lunch.
✔ Document patient improvements in their files.
✔ Plan for upcoming therapy sessions in the afternoon.
Many AHAs say the team-oriented environment is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. 1:00 PM – Speech Therapy Assistance in a Community Health Centre
The afternoon session involves supporting a speech pathologist in working with a young child with speech difficulties. Your tasks may include: ✅ Encouraging the child to practice words and phrases using flashcards or speech exercises.
✅ Assisting with swallowing therapy for a patient with neurological issues.
✅ Helping an adult stroke patient regain the ability to speak clearly.
💡 Fact: Up to 50% of stroke survivors experience communication difficulties, making speech therapy a critical part of their recovery. 2:30 PM – Rehabilitation Exercises for a Patient with a Spinal Injury
You head back to a rehabilitation centre to help a spinal cord injury patient regain mobility. Working alongside a physiotherapist, you assist in: ✅ Guided stretching and muscle activation exercises.
✅ Using adaptive equipment like standing frames or treadmills.
✅ Tracking the patient’s range of motion improvements.
This kind of work is incredibly rewarding, as you see firsthand how therapy helps patients regain movement and independence. 4:00 PM – Home Visit to Assist a Senior with Reablement Support
Many allied health assistants work in home-care settings, helping seniors and people with disabilities adjust to daily life. This might involve: ✅ Teaching an elderly woman recovering from a fall how to use a shower chair safely.
✅ Assisting a Parkinson’s patient with fine motor exercises for hand coordination.
✅ Recommending home modifications, such as installing handrails and ramps.
💡 Why is this important? Many seniors experience reduced mobility after hospitalisation. Reablement therapy helps them return to their normal routines faster. 5:00 PM – End-of-Day Wrap-Up and Patient Documentation
Before heading home, you complete essential tasks such as: ✅ Updating patient records with therapy session notes.
✅ Cleaning and organising therapy areas for the next day.
✅ Consulting with supervisors to discuss treatment adjustments for specific patients.
This is also a time for reflection—you think about the progress patients have made, knowing you’ve played a part in improving their quality of life.
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