NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS Trust

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS Trust

• Thinking of Occupational Therapy?
• You want to be a what?
• Occupational Therapy Service
• Royal Victoria Infirmary
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle General Hospital (acute services)
• Amanda Welch
• Head Occupational Therapist

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An Occupational Therapist? Whats that then?

• Good Question. Occupational therapy is one of
  the fastest growing and most rewarding health
  care professions today.
• How for example, would you teach a girl with no
  hands how to dress herself? Or adapt an older
  persons home so they can carry on living
  independently?
• As an Occupational Therapist youll have the
  opportunity to use all your creativity and degree
  education to work on life skills with the people
  who most need them.

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Is Occupational Therapy for you?

• If you find yourself answering yes to the
  following questions, then this could be the
  career for you.
• Are you practical?
• Are you creative?
• Are you patient?
• Are you enthusiastic?
• Do you like working with people?
• Do you enjoy problem solving?

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What does an Occupational Therapist Do?

• Engages with patients to enable them to live as
  full and independent lives as possible.
• Recognises and understands that everyone's
  lifestyle is different.
• Think of everyday tasks, from getting up, getting
  washed and dressed, preparing a meal. How, when
  and where do you do these things are unique to
  you. Think about your likes and dislikes. Think
  about how you would feel if you were no longer
  able to perform everyday activities for yourself.
  
• An OT would look at your lifestyle and help you
  live as independently as possible.

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Activity analysis getting dressed
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What does an Occupational Therapist Do? (2)

• OTs work with people who have physical, mental
  and/or social problems either from birth or as
  the result of an accident, illness or ageing.
• OTs are aware of the impact on an individuals
  independence and confidence.
• OTs work with the person to design a programme
  of treatment based on the individuals unique
  lifestyle, environment and preferences.
• They consider the importance of how a persons
  physical, mental and social needs will impact on
  recovery and help them to achieve the goals that
  are most important to them.

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Where do OTs work?

• Scope of OT is broad and diverse.
• Across all age groups children to older adults.
• In many areas eg physical health, mental health,
  learning disabilities.
• In many settings hospitals,social services,
  GPs, prisons, residential homes, schools, work
  rehab, day hospitals, group homes, private
  sector.
• We work withnursing medical staff,
  physiotherapists, social workers, speech
  therapists, teachers, architects.

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How can an Occupational Therapist Help Someone
who Has Had a Stroke?

• Stroke interruption of blood supply within the
  brain. Any age. Risk factors excess alcohol,
  smoking, family history.
• EffectsVary between inability to speak, swallow,
  think, move one side of the body, changes in
  mood.
• Role of OT Help patient regain as much
  independence as possible.
• Assessment to determine degree of activity and
  participation in ADL, DADL, work, leisure.
• Treatment to help regain maximum functional
  ability.
• Provision of equipment or adaptations.
• Psychological support and education to patient,
  carer, family.
• Liason with MDT
• Assessment and treatment may take place in
  hospital, home, community

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At Day in the Life of an OT

• Start 8.30 team handover.
• 9-10 Personal care assessments on the ward
• 10.30 Home assessment visit with patient and
  carer
• 12-12.30 Lunch
• 12.30-1 In service training
• 1-1.30 MDT meeting on ward
• 1.30 - 2.30 Assess new patients on the ward
• 2.30 - 3.15 Kitchen assessment
• 3.15 Note writing, loan equipment data
  collection
• 4.15 End of day

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What can I expect from a career in Occupational
Therapy?

• What are job prospects like?
• Excellent in UK and abroad. There is a national
  shortage in the UK
• After qualification most therapists gain
  experience in a range of different service
  settings before choosing more specialist senior
  posts.
• Promotional prospects are good.
• What are the average working hours and pay?
• 37.5 hours mostly Mon-Fri but moving to more
  flexibility.
• April 2004 starting pay for new grad in NHS
  18,240.

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Becoming an Occupational Therapist

• CoursesQualifying course title BSc (Hons)
  Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy
  (Pre-registration)
• Type of course Full-time, In-service,
  Masters(with eligibility to apply for
  registration with HPC)
• Duration 3 year full-time, 4 year 3 months
  In-service, 2 year masters
• Programmes scheduled to commence September each
  year (full-time and in-service), January each
  year (masters)

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Training to be an OT

• Entry requirements for applicants under 21 years
  
• 5 GCSEs at A-C (or equivalent) including English
  Language and a science, plus
• GCE/VCE Advanced Level/Scottish Highers, 240 UCAS
  tariff points from 18 units.
• At least 160 points from 2 subjects in a 6-unit
  award ( one in physical or behavioural scince) or
  one subject in a 12-unit award ( one in physical
  or behavioural science) or one subject in a 12
  unit ward in Health Saical Care, no more that
  20 ponits from key skills units.
• Or
• BTEC Four distinctions and one merit.
• Irish Highers BBCCCC , European Baccalaureate ,
  68.
• International Baccalaureate 26 points.
• Need to visit units in a range of settings.

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What subjects Are Taught on The Course?

• Practical and academic study.
• Academic anatomy physiology, psychology,
  developmental theories, study of
  occupation/activity analysis, effect of a range
  of illnesses and disabilities on function, OT
  theory, OT strategies/interventions,
  self-management, research skills, current health
  care environment.
• 1,000hrs fieldwork experience.
• Assessments assignments, presentations,
  fieldwork, research project, exams
• BSc Hons Occupational Therapy state
  registration.

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The End

• Any Questions?
• www.cot.org.uk