Since qualifying as an Occupational Therapist over 13 years ago I have worked in various roles within NHS and Social Care services. I have gained extensive experience in completing assessments, goal setting, and implementing therapeutic interventions for adults and children with physical, cognitive, emotional, sensory and behavioural difficulties. Throughout my work, I have developed an excellent understanding of how these difficulties can significantly impact on an individual’s ability to engage in normal daily activities which most people often take for granted.
Whilst working for the NHS I worked on Orthopaedic wards with patients who were receiving treatment for elective surgeries and trauma injuries. I completed assessments and provided advice on techniques to increase safety and independence in activities of self-care, productivity and leisure. I completed home visits and prescribed equipment to enable safe discharge from hospital to home.
During my career within the NHS, I gained experience in Older Person’s Mental Health services with individuals who were experiencing mental and cognitive difficulties as a result of long-term mental health conditions, dementias and injury. I also completed assessments for the Memory Clinic. The assessment results were discussed with the wider multidisciplinary team and considered as part of the diagnosis and treatment plan. This often required contribution to best interest decisions when an individual was experiencing difficulties with their mental capacity. When making these decisions I demonstrated my ability to employ a positive risk-taking approach enabling individuals with fluctuating capacity to remain at home through a holistic treatment plan, including therapy, equipment and packages of care. During this role I gained knowledge of telecare and memory techniques and equipment which enabled individuals to remain safe and comfortable in their own homes.
I have gained experience in Adult Mental Health services. I worked with patients in a hospital setting when they were acutely unwell. I supported patients to identify goals in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure in preparation for discharge home. I also completed assessments in outpatient settings and facilitated individual and group sessions of anxiety management, confidence building and managing emotions.
Throughout my work in Adult Social Care, I have gained extensive experience in reablement. This involved setting goals with the individual and implementing therapy to re-establish meaningful activity following a change in health needs or injury. Where full reablement was not possible, I prescribed equipment, completed minor adaptations and made recommendations for long-term care packages. When making recommendations, I considered safe and cost-effective ways to manage reductions in long-term care packages.
During my work with Local Authorities, I gained experience in equipment provision, simple and complex moving and positioning risk assessments, training care agencies and family members in moving and positioning techniques and equipment, postural management, seating assessments, rehousing assessments, minor and major environmental adaptations, I liaised closely with architects to provide a functional perspective on housing extension designs.
I have experience in Paediatric services with children who had significant and complex needs as a result of congenital conditions, long-term conditions, sensory processing difficulties and injury. This involved completing assessments and interventions within the home environment and working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team members within health and education. During this role I provided support with equipment provision, charity funding, simple and complex manual handling risk assessments, rehousing assessments, safety within the home, minor and major environmental adaptations.
Throughout my career, I have developed excellent communication skills. I am empathetic and adaptable in my approach and always place the individual’s needs and wishes at the centre of assessments, goal setting and interventions. I strive to identify innovative interventions to promote full engagement and motivation in achieving the individual’s chosen goals.
BHSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Phone: 07808512103
Email: [email protected]
