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Training for an Iron Woman and Stretching Scope as a therapist: How are these two things related?

By Kristy O'Connor

Growing up on the South Coast, I was quite involved in the Surf Life Saving Club. At a young age I started competing in Surf IronWoman events, which meant a lot of training for various events, including ski racing, running, swimming, board racing, and surfing. I became well acquainted with my limits and different skill levels for each event and learnt to taper my training accordingly. Key to this was knowing when I needed to back off to prevent injury, and when I needed to push through my limits to grow and improve. Working closely with my coach was essential to achieving this balancing act and ensuring my continued progress.  

Looking back on my preparation for the Irons, I draw many similarities between it and the process therapists must go through to develop their skills to work within the NDIS space.   

Navigating out of scope challenges

As well as increased demand for allied health professionals, the introduction of the NDIS brought with it a novel workspace, whereby therapists are now required to work across increasingly diversified clinical areas and environments, consequently demanding a broader skillset of them. Alongside this shifting landscape, we have witnessed a surge of therapists who feel they are working out of scope.   

When I say, ‘working out of scope’ here, I refer to therapists who feel they are not adequately supported and underprepared to be working outside of their original skillset. They are either not yet aware of their limits as a therapist, or are aware of them but feel pressured to work beyond them. This can have detrimental consequences for both participants and therapists, including, for example, reduced quality of service provision, less than desirable participant outcomes, increased stress, guilt and frustration within therapists, unnecessary liability, and increased risk of attrition from the industry.  

Empowering therapist to expand their skills

However, working out of scope does not always have to be a bad thing. Much like having a coach to guide me through the various events within the Iron and teach me to respect my limits, therapists require training and proper support from supervisors to work effectively across the varied NDIS landscape. This involves ensuring therapists feel ready to expand their skillset in the first place. Once this decision has been made, appropriate resources, access to knowledge, time for reflection, and suitable caseloads must be allocated by their clinical supports to enable therapists to grow their expertise and clinical reasoning.   

“Stretching scope” for therapist growth

When these supports are in place, working out of scope becomes a purposeful and productive process; one I like to refer to as “stretching scope.” In this scenario, therapists can feel secure knowing their skills and limits are being tested in a meaningful and supportive learning environment. This way we can truly nurture therapists to feel in control and confident whilst addressing the growing demands of the NDIS space. More broadly, stretching scope becomes a solid foundation to continue building a skilled, flexible, and resilient workforce, and a tool to future proof the industry.  

About the author

Kristy is the visionary force behind KEO Care, serving as the Clinical Director and founder. With over 15 years of industry experience as a dedicated physiotherapist, Kristy’s journey led her across multiple settings, including hospitals and private practices, before finding her true calling in community and aged care.

At KEO Care, Kristy drives our commitment to clinical excellence, imparting invaluable leadership and guidance. Her passion for forging genuine connections extends beyond her team to encompass a profound understanding of individual goals, nurturing the full potential of her colleagues and ensuring the best outcomes for our participants.

Kristy is passionate about forging genuine connections with her team to wholly understand their goals, foster their full potential, and support them to achieve the best participant outcomes.