Ascent Rehabilitation
About us
Ascent Rehabilitation is a local, boutique provider in the ACT and southern NSW
We offer occupational rehabilitation services, ergonomics, pain management support, hazard and risk identification, counselling, mental health and resilience training, and vocational services.
Ascent was established in 2010 by Jonathan Ford to provide occupational rehabilitation services to the community. Our mission is to inspire, empower and create solutions for people affected by injury, illness, disability or disease.
By embracing the complexities of injury and recovery, our dedicated allied health professionals work to develop tailored solutions for every injured person to remain connected with meaningful occupation, with the support of their employer and insurer.
Bronwen Stead joined Ascent and has played a central role in the business's growth and evolution, progressing to her current role as Director. Bronwen leads day-to-day operations and is the primary point of contact for insurer partners, working closely with stakeholders to ensure high-quality, responsive service delivery. Her leadership reflects Ascent's ongoing commitment to strong relationships, clinical integrity and continuous improvement.
Ascent has grown while maintaining a focus on quality service provision. Our team has a range of allied health expertise, including:
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Work
- Physiotherapy
- Ergonomics
- Rehabilitation Counselling
Our background
We have specific skills in injury management, pain management, vocational retraining, risk management, mental health and wellbeing, and suicide prevention.
Ascent provides services to private enterprise, government, community and individual clients. Our philosophy towards injury management is to build resilience through empowerment, goal setting, collaboration and developing or building upon practical skills to achieve independence. Our consultants use a facilitatory and creative problem-solving approach to support clients. We assess needs through a range of tools and strategies, collaborate with all parties, develop an agreed approach and regularly review, assess and revise the plan to achieve the identified goals.
We believe that the overall purpose of rehabilitation is to help those affected by injury, disease or disability seek and establish independence to continue functioning within their home, work, social and community settings. This is carried out through the values of empowerment, respect, integrity, responsibility, choice and diversity.
Our values
Our values shape how we show up for our clients, our partners and each other.
Pursue excellence
We hold ourselves to a high standard in everything we do, seeking creative and lateral solutions, welcoming feedback and remaining dedicated to a positive outcome no matter how complex the situation.
Seek wisdom to share
We commit to ongoing learning, maintain currency in evidence-based practice and actively share knowledge with our team and stakeholders to facilitate the best possible outcomes.
Courageous action
We take accountability for our decisions, act with integrity and ethical responsibility, and do not let discomfort or complexity prevent us from doing what is right for the people we work with.
Unconditional positive regard
We show genuine respect and compassion to every person, create psychological safety through our communication and maintain hope and partnership with all stakeholders regardless of the circumstances.
What to expect when you work with Ascent
At Ascent, we work with you to create a tailored plan to suit your individual needs. We provide:
- Open communication that promotes trust and effective working relationships.
- Genuine curiosity about your situation.
- Evidence-based approaches.
- Collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders.
- Professional, responsive service.
- Up-to-date, relevant information to support timely, effective decision-making.
- Clear and effective communication channels.
- Proactive problem-solving when issues arise.
Support from a team that cares
Our team has a range of allied health expertise, including occupational therapy, ergonomics and social work.
Ascent Rehabilitation team members are passionate and motivated professionals who achieve results through combining genuine respect and collaboration with their clinical knowledge and experience.
Awards and achievements
AHPRA
- ARPA ACT 2021 Jonathan Outstanding Achievement in RTW Award – Finalist
- ARPA ACT 2021 Bronwen Exceptional Leadership Award – Finalist
- ARPA ACT 2022 Best New Starter Award – Jessica Pascoe - Winner
- ARPA ACT 2022 – Outstanding Achievement in Return to Work – Physical Claim – Jonathan Ford – Winner
- ARPA National 2022 Best New Starter Award – Jessica Pascoe - Winner
- ARPA ACT 2023 - Bronwen Exceptional Leadership Award – Winner
- ARPA ACT President’s Award – Bronwen Stead
- ARPA ACT 2023 – Adelaide - Best New Starter Award - Winner
- ARPA ACT 2024 Jonathan Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to Australian Workplace Rehab Industry
- ARPA ACT 2025 – Outstanding achievement in RTW Award – Physical Claim – Simbar – Finalist
- ARPA ACT 2025 – Outstanding achievement in RTW Award – Psychological Claim – Adelaide – Finalist
- ARPA ACT 2025 – Outstanding Consultant Award – Same Employer – Carol-Lynn – Finalist
Canberra Local Business Awards
- 2019 Outstanding Health Improvement Services – Finalist
- 2020 Outstanding Health Improvement Services – Finalist
Telstra
- Telstra 2024 Best Business Award ACT Championing Health Award Finalist
Career opportunities
At Ascent, we do things a little differently. Our boutique team includes occupational therapists, rehabilitation consultants and social workers who are passionate about helping people get their lives back on track. We invest in our people through ongoing professional development, senior clinical mentoring and a genuinely supportive team culture. That's why our team members stay with us.
Interested in working with Ascent but not seeing the role you're looking for online? Send us your CV and a note about what you're looking for to admin@ascentrehab.com.
New Graduate Rehabilitation Consultant
Are you a new graduate in occupational therapy, exercise physiology, social work, psychology or physiotherapy?
Learn more
About the role
A career in occupational rehabilitation is dynamic, rewarding and challenging. No two days are ever the same. As a Rehabilitation Consultant, you'll support a worker's recovery following a workplace injury or illness. This involves conducting assessments, undertaking case management, interacting with a wide range of stakeholders and using your clinical knowledge to help an injured worker through their recovery and return to work. We work with employers and workers in a vast variety of industries, so there's always something new to learn.
Your role will include
A manageable caseload with KPIs that increase as you progress through training and become more confident. Your final KPI is easily achievable within standard working hours, leaving room for non-billable activity during your week.
We're a business that places a strong emphasis on team work-life balance. You won't be asked to work weekends or on-call.
Who we're looking for
- A great attitude, a strong desire to learn, a passion to implement positive change and, most importantly, a genuine willingness to help people.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A tertiary qualification in Occupational Therapy, Exercise Physiology, Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counselling or Physiotherapy (with appropriate professional registration).
- A driver's licence and your own reliable vehicle with comprehensive insurance (travel reimbursements apply).
- A current National Police Check.
- A current Working with Vulnerable People check.
Send your CV and a two-page cover letter to admin@ascentrehab.com.
If you have any questions, please contact the Ascent Rehabilitation office on (02) 6156 4109.