Occupational Therapists have very varied roles and can work in diverse locations. I qualified as an OT in 2000 and worked at the North Devon District Hospital until leaving to have my family. After almost 15 years, I decided to return to practice in order to re-register as an OT. I worked my hours as a Therapy Support Worker, which was a great opportunity to get to grips with the many things that have changed since 2007. I was accepted back onto the HCPC register in March 2022.
Returning and updating my training has given me additional confidence in my role, and I look forward to being able to add to my current skillset in the months ahead. My biggest achievement to date is returning to work after having my children. Getting back into my green trousers and being able to identify as part of the OT team means a lot.
My role allows me to really get alongside patients and relatives to make a difference. Occupational Therapy is a profession well worth pursuing. Having a good band 5 rotation can set you up with multiple skills to take your profession forward in lots of directions such as mental health, paediatrics, social care, general medicine/surgery, rehabilitation or further afield in the private sector. If you want a caring profession with incredible scope for different working environments and client groups and the ability to really make a difference, then OT is for you.