Paediatric rehabilitation is a subspecialty of paediatrics, that in WA is based solely within Perth Children’s Hospital (Kids Rehab WA).
This subspecialty is about providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care to children and young people with a congenital or acquired (due to injury or disease) disability to enable the highest level possible of physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning. The work takes place both within the inpatient and outpatient settings, via specialised multidisciplinary clinical programmes including:
Kids Rehab WA also has a large research programme embedded within its clinical services.
This is a career for clinicians with an interest in paediatrics, neurology and neurodisability. The work takes place within multidisciplinary teams and so requires someone who enjoys working collaboratively both with other health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, psychologists etc) and with other paediatrics subspecialties. The role involves the long-term care of children with chronic conditions in a holistic and family-centred manner. A component of the role involves acute inpatient care (e.g., managing children early on following acquired brain and spinal cord injury). There is a procedural component to this subspecialty including intramuscular Botulinum Toxin administration for hypertonia and the management of Intrathecal Baclofen pumps.
There is an ongoing educational programme within Kids Rehab WA for continuing learning and professional development. There are also many opportunities to participate in research activities within the department. This is an area that stimulates innovation to address functional needs such as robotics. The work focusses on the needs of the child and their family and requires collaboration between the Health, Disability and other Community sectors to achieve outcomes.
Consultants working in paediatric rehabilitation require a high level of background clinical skills in general paediatrics and have completed either the FRACP and/or AFRM (Australian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine) fellowships (or overseas equivalents) . Paediatric AFRM training is strongly encouraged and requires that a set of training modules is completed, in addition an exit examination. Experience in paediatric rehab centres outside of Kids Rehab WA is encouraged. Training can be undertaken as full-time or part-time (via a job share arrangement).
Currently within WA, paediatric rehab consultant positions are all based within Kid’s Rehab WA at Perth Children’s Hospital. Departmental vacancy rates vary in terms of long-term sessional opportunities. As the department continues to grow there is an increasing need for additional consultants.
The skills and knowledge acquired from training in paediatric rehabilitation would also provide an excellent basis for a career in general paediatrics, rural paediatrics and paediatric neurology.
