Experience

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People (QEF)

• Carshalton, England, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  Appointed as an Occupational Therapist to work as part of the MDT to provide life-transforming client-centred, services that enable people with disabilities to learn new skills and increase their independence through mobility. Giving clients the tools to achieve their potential. Whilst acting as an ambassador of QEF’s client centred values and behaviours. Facilitating a driving assessment with a driving assessor to assess and advise on driving safety by conducting an initial assessment and pre-drive physical, cognitive, and visual screening tests. Conducting practical trial of product suitability for the client’s medical, physical and lifestyle needs, to recommend the most suitable electric powered wheelchair or mobility scooter and advise on vehicle stowage options and transport requirements including hi-tech solutions and wheelchair accessible vehicles. To undertake car transfer, equipment loading, seating and posture assessments, to advise clients of more suitable options and resolve manual handling concerns. This includes providing seating solutions, wheelchairs and scooters and travel by any medium including aeroplane, bus, taxi and train. Liaise with external agencies to assess for and arrange provision of appropriate equipment and adaptations to maximise independence. Assist the driving school Instructors to monitor driving lessons and set goals for learner drivers. Liaise with Pearson to enable special requirements for learner drivers to pass the theory test. Deliver internal/external training courses for professionals and others. Supervision of assistant staff and/or education and supervision of students on clinical placement as appropriate. Maintain clinical records and write reports to a professional standard efficiently and effectively adhering to the COT guidelines for documentation and adhering to QEF and Driving Mobility documentation policy and standards.



Sutton Health and Care Team

• Wallington, England, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Sep 2020 - Nov 2020

  A short term contract Sutton Health and Care at Home Team in Wallington, working as part of the Early Supported Discharge (ESD) multidisciplinary team. A comprehensive caseload included stroke patients who were medically optimised for intensive client centred rehabilitation in the community. The role included providing initial Occupational Therapy assessment, setting appropriate client centred SMART goals and effectively measuring outcomes. A fast-paced environment, where working collaboratively towards realistic client led goals to maximise independence was essential. This included providing upper limb assessment, education and management to promote functional independence. Whilst in this role a variety of tools for assessment and outcomes were utilised, including the ACE 111, The Stroke Impact Assessment and the Nine Hole Peg Test. The PHQ 9 and GAD were used to measure wellbeing and mood.



Your Healthcare CIC

• Greater London

• Occupational Therapist

  • Nov 2016 - Sep 2020

  A locum Occupational Therapist, followed by the appointment to Band 6, Occupational Therapist role in August 2017. Proficient in joint working and contributing proactively within the multi-disciplinary team, in a variety of highly pressured settings, including yearly rotation into Teddington Memorial Hospital rehab unit and other healthcare practices. • Continual assessment of patients, providing effective therapy, information and advice to rehabilitate. • Setting specific rehabilitation goals, taking a client centered approach to promoting independence. • Reviewing packages of care and liaising with Social Services, carers and various care agencies. • Making sub-referrals and signposting patients to relevant services. • Ordering and reviewing equipment and ensuring that clients are able to use the equipment safely. • Providing training, advice and support for family members and enablers as appropriate. • Duties include triaging a wide range of referrals to ensure that they are appropriate. • Implementing a variety of patient centred initiatives to ensure safe discharge out of Kingston Hospital and the assessment and provision of appropriate services including Home First and Trusted Assessor.



Edgware Community Hospital

• London, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Apr 2016 - Nov 2016

  Proficient in the practicalities of mobile working, providing intensive early support and rehabilitation to clients who are recovering from Stroke. Intervention includes, enabling clients to identify areas of rehabilitation that they would like to work on to regain independence and support their transition from hospital to home. • Utilising a variety of assessments including Modified Rankin Scale, The Confusion Assessment Method and an extensive neurological assessment to establish client needs. • Initiating sub-referrals and signposting relevant services. • Reviewing packages of care and liaising with Social Services and various care agencies • Ordering and reviewing equipment and ensuring that clients are able to use the equipment safely. • Updating the MDT and prioritising an extensive and varied caseload; promoting independence, health and wellbeing and where necessary Vocational Rehabilitation. • Proactively implementing outcome measures including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). • Building rapport and working collaboratively with clients to identify GAS goals that are SMART. • Responsible for the supervision of two rehabilitation support workers



St Pancras Hospital Rehabilitation Services

• London, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Feb 2016 - Apr 2016

  A locum Occupational Therapist, working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, to provide patients and their families with effective client centred rehabilitation. The therapy encourages patients to manage their disability with a positive, realistic outlook and regain life skills that will enable independent living. • Screening patients for baseline information and falls risks, ensuring clinical notes and moving and handling collateral are updated for the ward staff. • Establishing GAS goals in the inpatient setting and ensuring that they are SMART. • Completing appropriate mood screens including anxiety and depression scales • Utilising the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and the Birmingham Cognitive Assessment. • Carrying out functional assessments including meal preparation and washing and dressing. • Liaising with family and key workers to organise meetings and facilitate access and home visits. • Producing Joint Care Plans, sub referrals and other reports including discharge summaries. • Ordering equipment and ensuring appropriate packages of care are in place for safe discharge. • Extensive use of appropriate manual handling practices to reduce risk, including using the hoist to ensure all transfers are safe.



Edgware Community Hospital

• London, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Sep 2015 - Feb 2016

  Community Band 5 Occupational Therapist providing support and a rehabilitation programme to a variety of clients, some with complex needs. Intervention includes enabling clients to regain their independence, should they wish to remain in their homes. • Carrying out initial assessments and utilising a variety of assessments including the MOCA and Berg Balance Score in addition to clinical reasoning to clarify physical function and identify client needs. • Ordering and reviewing additional equipment where appropriate. • Updating the MDT, reviewing packages of care and making relevant sub-referrals. • Managing and prioritising an extensive and varied caseload of over 25 clients; working one to one with these clients, to promote independence, health and wellbeing. • Building rapport and working collaboratively with clients to identify GAS goals that are SMART. • Producing discharge reports and letters



Enable Community Stroke Team, Ealing Hospital

• London, United Kingdom

• Occupational Therapist

  • Dec 2014 - Sep 2015

  Originally a Rehab Assistant role, promoted to Band 5 Occupational Therapist from February 2015. This new role included additional occupational therapy duties for the long terms conditions Enable Team based at Clayponds Hospital, Chiswick. • Duties included triaging referrals to ensure that they are appropriate. • Independently carrying out initial assessments and utilising the MOCA and Berg Balance Score in addition to clinical reasoning to clarify physical function and identify client needs. • Updating the MDT, reviewing packages of care and making appropriate sub-referrals. • Managing and prioritising an extensive and varied caseload of over 25 clients; working one to one with these clients, to promote independence, health and wellbeing. • Building rapport and working collaboratively with clients and to identify GAS goals that are SMART. • Producing discharge reports and letters. • Ordering and ensuring safe use of equipment.



Fierce Grace Hot Yoga, formally Bikram Yoga

• London, United Kingdom

• Receptionist

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2014

  On re-entering full time education undertook a receptionist position in a large team within the holistic environment of Bikram yoga. A key customer facing role, this position allowed for self-management and autonomy, whilst liaising with teachers and other team members to ensure the efficient delivery of all services. An enjoyable people-orientated role that presented many opportunities for promoting and discussing health and wellbeing, including addressing anxiety. On re-entering full time education undertook a receptionist position in a large team within the holistic environment of Bikram yoga. A key customer facing role, this position allowed for self-management and autonomy, whilst liaising with teachers and other team members to ensure the efficient delivery of all services. An enjoyable people-orientated role that presented many opportunities for promoting and discussing health and wellbeing, including addressing anxiety.



THE DESIGN MUSEUM, LONDON

• Head of Events

  • Aug 2007 - Jul 2010

  Recruited as the Senior Events Manager to strategically develop the events department offering for all internal and external events. Promoted to Head of Events September 2008. Recruited as the Senior Events Manager to strategically develop the events department offering for all internal and external events. Promoted to Head of Events September 2008.



GETTY IMAGES, LONDON

• Corporate Events and Public Relations Manager

  • Jul 2005 - Nov 2006

  Getty Images provides still and moving imagery to the creative, publishing, media and corporate sectors. The Getty Images Gallery is based in central London. Corporate Events and Public Relations Manager Appointed to organise and implement all key EMEA corporate events and raise awareness of the Getty Images Gallery. Due to an extensive corporate restructuring in November 2006 a redundancy agreement was accepted. Managed all logistical requirements for the sponsorship of the Meribel Advertising Festival (£50k), The Picture Editors' Awards (£30k), The Cannes Advertising Festival (£250k) and Visa Pour L'Image (£60k). These events were produced within budget and successfully positioned Getty Images as a leader within the creative communities. Project managed New Photographers 2007, a company initiative created to position the company as a progressive member of the creative community. This included the development of an exhibition, seminar, show reel and catalogue. New Photographers 2007 was highlighted as a company success. Managed PR for up to ten gallery exhibitions and private views, including Christopher Simon Sykes, Lorenzo Agius and Andy Gotts, building relationships and increasing awareness with key consumer media and resulting in increased coverage. Devised a one off interactive event and exhibition for Change Me (£50k), a charity initiative. The event presented Getty Images as a proactive member of the creative community and raised funds for the charity.



DIGITAL VISION, LONDON

• Press and Events Manager

  • Feb 2002 - Jul 2005

  Recruited to devise and implement a press strategy that would promote Digital Vision as the first choice for creative imagery and to organise all key EMEA events. Organised all logistical requirements for all events including the Cepic Congress and PACA. Rebranded the Digital Vision sales conference four weeks prior to the event, successfully protecting the new brand and generating goodwill amongst existing sales agents. Recruited to devise and implement a press strategy that would promote Digital Vision as the first choice for creative imagery and to organise all key EMEA events. Organised all logistical requirements for all events including the Cepic Congress and PACA. Rebranded the Digital Vision sales conference four weeks prior to the event, successfully protecting the new brand and generating goodwill amongst existing sales agents.



LUX CENTRE

• Press Officer

  • Jul 1998 - Dec 2001

  Devised and implemented a press strategy to generate coverage for the centre. Devised and implemented a press strategy to generate coverage for the centre.



SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL, USA

• Press and Special Events Assistant

  • Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  To support the Press Office and to ensure all special events supported the film festival brand. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY FILM FESTIVAL Hospitality Assistant and Volunteer Co-ordinator 1998 Responsible for liaising with festival volunteers and supporting the hospitality function. To support the Press Office and to ensure all special events supported the film festival brand. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY FILM FESTIVAL Hospitality Assistant and Volunteer Co-ordinator 1998 Responsible for liaising with festival volunteers and supporting the hospitality function.



LONDON FILM FESTIVAL, NATIONAL FILM THEATRE (NFT)

• Publicity Officer

  • Jan 1997 - Jan 1998



London Film Festival

• Public Promotions Co-ordinator

  • Jan 1994 - Jan 1995

  Managed the production of the film festival booth and key cinema signage in Leicester Square, London. Managed the production of the film festival booth and key cinema signage in Leicester Square, London.



BRITISH TELECOM PLC

• Marketing Production Manager

  • Jan 1993 - Jan 1994



British Telecom

• Presentation Events Manager, Events Manager, Exhibition and Events Officer

  • Jan 1988 - Jan 1992