I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my role and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people.
What’s your role in our organisation?
Advanced occupational therapist within critical care
Tell us a bit about your CUH journey – when did you join, what positions have you held here?
I originally began working at CUH in 2000 as the occupational therapy team lead for the newly started stroke unit. I had previously worked in West Midlands, USA and London.
After working on the stroke unit for a couple of years I obtained a role as the clinical governance lead for occupational therapy, which was later combined with the associate manager for occupational therapy.
I worked at CUH until 2015 when I moved to a position at the Lister Hospital stroke unit. I then moved to an occupational therapy position at Royal Free London Hospitals.
I returned to work at CUH in 2021 when to opportunity arose to setup and develop a new occupational therapy service within critical care.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The post I am in currently allows me to work directly with a complex group of patients and their families to provide early rehabilitation and to identify the most appropriate opportunities for their ongoing rehabilitation.
I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my role and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people.
As an occupational therapist I consider it vital that people are able to engage in different activities (occupations) and the opportunity to help even those severely affected by illness and injury in being able to accomplish something for themselves is immensely rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting their AHP career journey?
Be prepared to work hard and take ownership of your own learning and development – if you do you will be rewarded with a varied and exciting career.