Sandra Smith

Background

About Sandra Smith

I have a background in Occupational Therapy with 32 years’ experience working in government, not for profit and private organisations. My career has included delivering and evaluating services in public and private health, community and social services, and tertiary education sectors. Skills and attributes include: • Research across Government and Non-Government sectors, managing research projects state-wide, including engaging with stakeholders both internationally and nationally. • Professional lead across various areas including aged care, mental health and disability, including consultation with skilled networks nationally and internationally. • Qualitative research skills, including qualitative face to face interview and focus groups with vulnerable population groups including people with impaired decision-making capacity. • Experience in systematic data gathering process and use of qualitative data analysis extraction methods to inform high level evidenced based written documentation. • High level research advice and social policy analysis to inform systems advocacy programs and contribute to the development of relevant policy and reform options for adults with impaired decision-making ability. • Senior leadership and management skills delivering services in government and non-government agencies across acute care and community sectors (including complex aged care (acute and community), acquired brain injury (community), and dual diagnosis (community/ mental health). • High level of knowledge of aged care, mental health and national disability insurance schemes and the impact regulatory and policy frameworks has had on the delivery of health care services across acute, sub-acute, rehabilitation and community settings.