Experience

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - PICU/HDU and Neurosciences

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  I am currently working as the band 7 OT on PICU/HDU and neurosciences, and manage a team of 3 other OT’s. I carry a caseload of patients with a wide range of conditions such as ABI, long term neurological conditions, medical or respiratory needs. I work to assess their immediate needs within the hospital as well as working alongside community therapists to identify their longer term needs. This has involved working with case managers and rehab centres to ensure the children and young people receive the input they need. I work alongside the MDT to deliver holistic care under often stressful and challenging situations. I provide day to day supervision to the OT’s I work with, as well as training opportunities. I am always looking for opportunities to improve my own skills/ practice as well as that of the teams.

• Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - Oncology

  • Sep 2016 - Sep 2020

  In this role I was band 7 for a new occupational therapy service within in-patient and out-patient services for children and young people who had a cancer diagnosis. This would include brain tumours, bone tumours and leukaemia. I worked closely with the MDT to help meet the child / younger persons needs. I worked with children/ young people and their families throughout their cancer treatment when they were both in and out patients. As needed I would complete functional, housing and school assessments making recommendations as required. I was involved in running groups for the patients.

• Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist - acting up

  • Dec 2015 - Sep 2016

  Whilst working as a static OT on the neurosciences team I was successful in being given an opportunity to act up into a band 7 role. This meant as well as continuing with own caseload, I also supervised the orthopaedic and rheumatology Band 6 OT’s.During this role I attended a leadership and management course, as well as a student educator and supervision course. I was also involved in the recruitment process working with the team leads. Within this role I co-lead the Major Trauma therapy service providing support, training and advice for the weekend service staff. This also included organising the rota and co-ordinating staffing for sickness and leave, writing and completing staff competencies, attending Major Trauma steering groups and regional conferences. I participated in the Major Trauma Peer Review process.



BMI Healthcare

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Occupational Therapist

  • Jun 2014 - Jun 2017

  Bank Senior Occupational Therapist working on the weekend rota to assist with cover to the orthopaedic and medical wards. Bank Senior Occupational Therapist working on the weekend rota to assist with cover to the orthopaedic and medical wards.



Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Orthopaedics and Neuroscience team

  • Mar 2013 - Dec 2015

  I initially progressed to a band 6 within the orthopaedic team I was working in. Then I moved to working within the neurosurgical and neurology specialities. Within these teams I treated a variety of different conditions including: acquired brain injuries (ABI), arteriovenous malformation, non-accidental injuries, fractured skulls, haematomas, major trauma patients and patients who have undergone neurosurgical interventions. These children presented with a wide variety of both physical and cognitive difficulties. I completed initial assessments both on the paediatric intensive care unit, high dependency unit and wards. I used both standardised (e.g. Beery VMI, DASH, TVPS) and non-standardised assessments as required (e.g. transfer assessments, PADL’s assessment). I assessed for and recommend specialist equipment for tasks such as bathing, toileting, seating and housing. Evidence based practice, such as 24 hour postural management principles, normal movement principles and normal development knowledge, is paramount and I readily applied this to my practice. As part of the ABI team I liaised closely with the MDT, families and community teams to plan complex discharges and complete home visits.

• Paediatric Band 5 Occupational Therapist (Orthopaedics)

  • Mar 2011 - Mar 2013

  I carried out the OT process for children/ young people with a variety of orthopaedic clinical needs on the acute orthopaedic wards. I independently managed a clinical caseload, consulting senior staff for assistance, advice & support. I provided holistic and functional assessments of children and young people to assist with facilitating safe and timely discharges. I worked closely with MDT members to provide the effective & client centred treatment/ interventions.I worked efficiently with the MDT providing assessment and recommendations for this patient group within this environment where pressures for beds and timely discharges were paramount.I worked alongside the orthopaedic physiotherapist and developed joint assessment paperwork for the pre-admission clinic, in-patient records and discharge summaries. I contributed to the development of an Enhanced Recovery Pathway for children with DDH and external fixators. I have also co-ordinated the development and MDT information for a patient information leaflet on “External Fixators”.



Hope Hospital, Salford

• Occupational Therapist

  • Nov 2009 - Mar 2011

  I carried out the OT process for children/ young people with a variety of orthopaedic clinical needs on the acute orthopaedic wards. I independently managed a clinical caseload, consulting senior staff for assistance, advice & support. I provided holistic and functional assessments of children and young people to assist with facilitating safe and timely discharges. I worked closely with MDT members to provide the effective & client centred treatment/ interventions. I carried out the OT process for children/ young people with a variety of orthopaedic clinical needs on the acute orthopaedic wards. I independently managed a clinical caseload, consulting senior staff for assistance, advice & support. I provided holistic and functional assessments of children and young people to assist with facilitating safe and timely discharges. I worked closely with MDT members to provide the effective & client centred treatment/ interventions.



St Martins College

• PROFESSIONAL FIELDWORK PLACEMENTS (FP):

  • Sep 2006 - Jul 2009

  FP0. Renal Ward (1 week observational placement) Manchester Royal Infirmary: • Read/wrote SOAP notes/ medical notes/other paperwork. Took part in ward round meetings & observed OT liaising with multidisciplinary staff FP1. Older Adult Mental Health Day Unit - Fairfield General Hospital Day Unit for Older Adults: • Planned, organised and lead therapy sessions with patients with conditions including Alzheimer’s, dementia, anxiety & depression. FP2. Orthopaedic Ward (6 weeks) Royal Blackburn Hospital. • Completed initial interviews, assessments & interventions independently. • Attended home visits & observed OT staff recommending equipment, aids and techniques. FP3. Older Adult Stroke Unit (6 weeks) Stepping Hill Hospital. • Working alongside OT with patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) when assessing and rehabilitating these patients. • Organised & was responsible for a small caseload. Planned & implemented assessments & interventions. • Liaising with patient, other professionals & family members around issues such as home visits. FP4. Community Paediatrics (6 weeks) Stockport NHS. • Worked with children & young people with cerebral palsy, DCD & autism. • Observed & assisted an OT using sensory integration. • Administered entire or parts of standardised assessments (e.g. Movement ABC). • Led therapy sessions with young adults with physical & learning difficulties. • Planned part of education session for teachers around the role of OT. FP5. College for students with physical & learning difficulties (8 weeks) Beaumont Scope. • Wrote protocol & advice sheets, and liaised with staff advising and recommending OT strategies for students with complex needs. • Organised my own caseload, contacting students, arranging sessions & writing notes. • Took part in joint assessments and sessions with Speech & Language Therapists, Physiotherapists & Education staff. • Observed & assisted in a ‘wheelchair clinic’ - recommending & providing students with wheelchairs.



The Oakes Holiday Centre

• The Oakes Holiday Centre

• Gap Year Team Member

  • Sep 2004 - Jul 2005

  (Christian residential holidays for 8-18 year olds). Independently led or co-led activities & designed new games/ activities. Dorm Leader. (Christian residential holidays for 8-18 year olds). Independently led or co-led activities & designed new games/ activities. Dorm Leader.