Occupational therapy provides practical support to enable people and facilitate recovery to overcome any barriers that prevent them from doing the activities that matter to them.
This helps to increase people’s independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life.
An occupational therapist will consider all your needs – physical, psychological, social, and environmental.
This support can make a real difference to your life, giving you a renewed sense of purpose, opening up new horizons, and changing the way you feel about the future.
Occupational therapists work in a variety of setting including physical health, mental health, social care, paediatrics, private sector and education.
Caroline, senior occupational therapist
Why did you want to be an occupational therapist?
I wanted to become an occupational therapist (OT) as I wanted to work with people.
By becoming an OT this allowed me not only to work with people but to help them regain and maintain their independence in completing everyday tasks which are important to them.
Day-to-day tasks?
I work within the acute hospital setting. My role involves assessing adult patients to determine the most appropriate discharge location for them when they are medically ready to leave hospital.
I assess patients to find out how they complete everyday tasks such as washing/dressing, preparing meals, mobilise and taking their medication. I then help provide any necessary equipment to increase independence such as a stool to sit on whilst showering.
I also can arrange any temporary care required to support them at home, including any referrals to community teams for ongoing assessment on discharge.
If I find patients are unable to return home safely then I can refer patients on for a period of rehabilitation or assessment for residential care if appropriate.
Most fulfilling part of the job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is being able to help people return to their own homes or appropriate place – knowing that they will be able to regain or maintain their independence as much as possible, especially when they feel they may not manage again following their admission. "
Gillian, specialist paediatric occupational therapist
Why did you want to be an occupational therapist?
I was not aware of OT initially; I started my career training to be a paediatric nurse.
Unfortunately, after a year of study this journey came to an end and a year later I was offered a place at University to study occupational therapy! I am a true believer that things happen for a reason and 18 years later I am still learning and loving my role as an OT.
Day to day tasks?
Typically, I will generally start the day by checking any new emails and tasks that come in for me before heading out to do visits to children’s homes, schools, nursery, or respite locations.
During the visit I assess, provide, or review an intervention around the child’s postural, positioning or moving and handling needs.
I will support with the education of teaching staff, parents and carers around positioning and the safe use of any equipment that I have provided for the children.
The day will also consist of telephone calls from parents, other professionals, note writing and completing any other clinical documentation relating to the children.
Other duties my role involves are ordering equipment, setting up of postural seating, trialling different slings, joint visits with reps from various companies to assess for suitable equipment. 
The role is challenging, variable and every day is a school day as I am constantly learning something new about my lovely children."
Most fulfilling part of the job?
Having the opportunity to work with the most amazing resilient and inspirational children and families and knowing that I am making a difference to their lives
Why are AHP’s important in mental health practice?
The NHS Long Term Plan describes AHPs as playing a central role in the delivery of person-centred care to help meet the changing demands the NHS is facing. The Mental Health Workforce Plan for England’ (2017) also highlights the vital and varied role of AHPs as first responders, in diagnosis, self management, rehabilitation, and recovery of everyday life.
AHPs are the key to transforming health, care, and wellbeing. Working at the top of their competencies and skills, AHPs lead mental health teams to new ways of working.
Their expertise in rehabilitation and enablement is vital to move away from over-reliance on hospitals and towards professional interventions across health and social care settings
What is the role of AHP’s in services for people with mental health conditions?
AHPs are employed in health and care services to diagnose, treat, and support individuals to overcome the physical challenges, that can be associated with their mental health
conditions.
In mental health settings, AHPs are specifically employed to support persons experiencing mental illness conditions
Occupational Therapists have expertise in rehabilitation, enabling people to recover their independence and participation in everyday life activities (occupations) which hold personal importance and meaning. They are dual trained in mental and physical healthcare at the pre-registration level.
Occupational therapist video
Where can I study occupational therapy?
Work experience
Contact us
- Careers at South Tees: [email protected]
- Work experience at South Tees: [email protected]