Any occupational therapists about?

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DS1 has been seeing one, who has helped him tremendously.

I need a new more fulfilling career and this seems like interesting and worthwhile work (from my side of the fence anyway)

What do you like about your work. What don't you like and why?

How would I go about qualifying? I have a degree, but it's not in any sort of medical subject.

Anyone?

Bumping - and if you would like, contact me and I can put you in touch with a mnetter who is one (don't want to give away her ID)

Bumping as I am interested.

I work in a special school so I have experience of working with people with special needs. I am an IT technican and I am bored of my job.

I am particularly interested in working with people with mental health issues or the elderly rather than kids.

If you lot CAT me......

(disclaimer I'm not an OT)

My sister is one.

IIRC she did biology and possibly psychology A-levels. Then 3 year OT degree at southampton. She did various work experience including nursing, elderly, psychiatric and mum and dad were the subjects of several OT asssesments .

From what I understand its a very rewarding but undervalued job. As she is always grumbling the nurses aren't there to help patients get back to normal and consultants don't look at the smaller details, so she looks at everything the patient needs to live a normal life again, whether that is stairlifts, bath lifts, gadgets in the kitchen, making sure they have self help / support groups they can go to etc. TBH there's loads of things they do and I can't remember them all. She has worked in drug / alcohol addiction and psychiatric wards.

I work for a local authority in a social care team (adult and elderly)and opportunities do occasionally arise to do an OT degree for current employees ( but in current climate this may be less of an option)

You may be able to find an entry level job as a community support worker or a rehab assistant/ care worker and then progress but
our LA has zero recruitment at present.
Hospitals also recruit rehab assistants and OT technicians

Our commumity OTs and OT assistants see people in their own home and prescribe equipment to keep them safe and at home for as long as possible.

Whilst i'm not an OT, IME it is a bit of a 'Cinderella' service and undervalued and unappreciated by those bigwigs that decide funding

I have worked as a community OT assistant for the last 10 years.. It has become more and more tough over the last few years with ever demanding goverement targets and staff not being replaced even though people are living longer and they want to keep people at home rather than nursing homes etc..

It is def an unappreciated service and most adult social care refferals that no one knows what to do with arrive with us!!!

All in all though it is a very rewarding job the equipment and things like a simple chair raise make such a differance to peoples lives and thats what keeps me there..