Simonne Baillie
Palmerston North,MWT
Summary
A dedicated and innovative Occupational Therapist, recognised for designing tailored interventions that address the unique needs of whaiora. Skilled in seamlessly combining analytical thinking with creative problem-solving to navigate complex challenges. Known for integrating clinical expertise with a thoughtful understanding of the diverse lived experiences of individuals. Experienced in building strong, collaborative partnerships that bring together natural and service-based supports, ensuring recovery is nurtured across all relevant environments. Committed to fostering authentic therapeutic relationships that empower both whaiora and whanau, guiding them with compassion and respect towards restored hauora and a meaningful, sustainable recovery.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist
Te Whatu Ora: Te Uru Rauhi, Mental Health and Addictions Services
Palmerston North, New Zealand
01.2022 - Current
- NESP
- Care coordinator to a caseload of diverse individuals.
- Scheduled and provided therapeutic support during psychiatrist reviews.
- Oversaw medication needs, including monitoring for both beneficial outcomes and side effects.
- Formally presented and liaised with the interdisciplinary team regarding care planning and accessing the appropriate professional resources to meet whaiora's recovery needs.
- Completed occupational therapy assessments in relation to functional, sensory, occupational, and social engagement challenges. Assessments included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Dunn's Sensory Profiling, the Kawa Model, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination, and observational task assessments.
- Applied the Occupational Therapy problem-solving process, identifying and applying restorative and adaptive interventions to address whaiora's occupational needs.
- Contributed to the development of a referral pathway and an Occupational Therapy pilot program. Additionally, precepting a new graduate colleague who is new to mental health.
- Supported acute inpatient admissions.
- Engaged in multidisciplinary meetings in mental health and medical wards, advocating for whaiora, and ensuring community contexts were considered in care planning.
- Educated patients and families on coping strategies and resources for managing chronic conditions.
- Recommended specific changes in patients' work or living environments to align with capabilities and recovery vision/needs.
- Completed referrals for other disciplines and agencies to address comprehensive needs of patients. Strong focus on warm introductions as part of the external referral process.
- Documented patient progress and outcomes in electronic health records according to regulatory standards.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
Occupational Therapist
Te Whatu Ora: Early Intervention in Psychosis Services
Palmerston
04.2022 - 09.2023
Occupational Therapist
Hauora Waikato
Hamilton
09.2021 - 11.2021
- Implemented custom interventions to enhance the occupational and social participation of pakeke, rangatahi, and tamariki whāiora
- Conducted assessments independently, such as Dunn's Sensory Profiling Assessment, Occupational Circumstances Inventory Questionnaire, Interests Checklists, and Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale
- Appropriately documented assessment results and session narrative notes
- Simplified technical assessment outcomes to highlight practical implications for occupational difficulties faced by tangata whaiora and whanau
- Designed and facilitated independent session plans focusing on sensory modulation and effective sleep practices
- Facilitated engagement of Tangata Whāiora in badminton group
- Maintained routine check-in calls with tangata whaiora and whanau families
- Provided support for brief psychological intervention and workbook-based programs
- Integrated cognitive behavioural techniques with mindfulness strategies within the Te whare tapa whā cultural framework
- Participated in Whakamoemiti and Mana hui on a daily basis
- Participated in weekly Whiriwhiri with interprofessional team
Student Placement
Mannaki Raatonga aa Iwi
Hamilton
09.2021 - 11.2021
- Attended art group with tane and wahine from the community and forensic Tamahere healing hospital
- Supported a creatively talented wahine who experienced severe social anxiety
- Supported tangata whaiora at 'Jam', a music studio/singing group
- Supported wahine with the gift box intervention created by psychologist Patte Randal, based on the Re-covery model
Student Placement
New Plymouth Base Hospital
New Plymouth
03.2021 - 05.2021
- Enhanced safe occupational engagement in ADLs, both individually and within a multi-disciplinary team, across clinical and domestic locations
- Created occupational opportunities to facilitate the remediation of client factors and occupational skills, to improve independence in activities of daily living
- Led evaluations for daily functional tasks such as showering, toileting, kitchen duties, and bed mobility in the ward setting
- Conducted Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination autonomously under supervision
- Independently performed initial social history interviews and completed relevant documentation
- Completed community re-entry assessments to ensure the client could function safely in their natural environment upon discharge, implementing equipment or care packages as necessary
Student Placement
Interactionz
Hamilton
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Worked individually alongside an adult client with low-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Responsibilities included creating occupational options for the client
- Encouraging positive social interaction through occupation and modeling
- Providing written logs to the setting, describing the activities and observed behavioral changes
Student Placement
Mental Health Needs Assessment and Service Coordination
Porirua
02.2019 - 03.2019
- Engaged with diverse team members to review the housing and recovery support for clients
- Responsibilities included semi-structured interviews, note-taking, and researching
- Met with a newly established Kaupapa Māori non-governmental organization to learn about their services, and then educated the multidisciplinary team through a presentation
Sales Representative
Health 2000
Palmerston North, New Zealand
01.2017
- Worked as the sole charge and part of a small sales/customer service team
- Responsible for customer service, product transfers between stores, phone inquiries, opening and closing the store, cash handling and banking
Art Tutor
Student Job Search
01.2011
- Developed and delivered art lessons for an intermediate-age home-schooled child who had experienced bullying in the school system
Education
Postgraduate Certificate - Health Science: Mental Health and Addictions
AUT University
Auckland, NZ11.2022
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -
Otago Polytechnic
11.2021
Foundation of Health Science -
Otago University
Dunedin01.2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Quay School of the Arts
Whanganui01.2012
Skills
- Sensory modulation
- DBT implementation
- Application of behaviorism
- Client-centric interventions
- Strength-Based Recovery Focus
- Therapeutic rapport establishment
- Clinical reasoning
- Sustainable discharge planning
Volunteer Experience
- 01/2017, Volunteer, Ora 3 Physiotherapy, Palmerston North, Liaising with service users, Observation
- 01/2017, Volunteer, St Johns Community Second Hand Store, Palmerston North, Customer service
Training
- Beyond Borderline (focus on emotional dysregulation and interpersonal dynamics), 01/2024
- MANTRA (Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults), 01/2024
- Coexisting Problem Workshop, 01/2024
- Emotional Regulation (formally FRAME Model), 01/2023
- Te Tiriti Waitangi – Equity and Health, 01/2022
- Self-care in trauma-informed organisations, Goodfellow Unit, 01/2021
- Trauma-informed care for the children's workforce, Goodfellow Unit, 01/2021
- Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Training, Ko Awatea Learn, Taranaki DHB, 01/2021
- Comprehensive First Aid (6400, 6401, 6402), MediTrain, 01/2020
- Safety and Wellbeing Induction, Otago Polytechnic, 01/2019
Awards
- Top Student Award (Graduating with Distinction), Quay School of the Arts, 01/2012
- Kate Grey Memorial Grant, Kate Grey Memorial Trust, 01/2011
- Ronald Wolf Memorial Association Grant, Ronald Woolf Memorial Trust, 01/2010
References
- Current manager and clinical team lead available upon request
- Hazel Robertson, Internship Preceptor (NESP), Te Whatu Ora, Te Uru Rauhi Mental Health and Addiction Services, 0272328550
- Nisha Gindha, Placement Supervisor, Hauora Waikato, 0275257212
- John Hiakita, General Manager, Registered Nurse, Hauora Waikato, 0272777308
Timeline
Occupational Therapist
Te Whatu Ora: Early Intervention in Psychosis Services
04.2022 - 09.2023
Occupational Therapist
Te Whatu Ora: Te Uru Rauhi, Mental Health and Addictions Services
01.2022 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Hauora Waikato
09.2021 - 11.2021
Student Placement
Mannaki Raatonga aa Iwi
09.2021 - 11.2021
Student Placement
New Plymouth Base Hospital
03.2021 - 05.2021
Student Placement
Interactionz
08.2019 - 11.2019
Student Placement
Mental Health Needs Assessment and Service Coordination
02.2019 - 03.2019
Sales Representative
Health 2000
01.2017
Art Tutor
Student Job Search
01.2011
Postgraduate Certificate - Health Science: Mental Health and Addictions
AUT University
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -
Otago Polytechnic
Foundation of Health Science -
Otago University
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Quay School of the Arts