had enough of working in mental health services... want to move into physical

[emzybabble]

Hi

I am qualified OT working in nhs mental health team, I've been working in mental health since 2019 whilst as an OT assistant. Im ready to move on and lucky for us OTs, we can go into other areas... im looking at working in the hospital as physical health OT? is it worth it?

Anyone else had enough of care co-ordination in MH? im in perinatal team and its really tough/ draining/ triggering work with working with safeguarding and childrens social care etc.

thanks

bump

Hi I’m not an OT but work in adult mental health & have worked as a care coordinator. Agree it’s a tough job & seems thankless at times . I don’t know what band you are, guessing a band 6? In my local area there are lots of OT vacancies so even if you haven’t got previous physical care experience I’m sure you’ll have lots of transferable skills from mh but depending on how competitive it is where you are you might need to think about a band 5 post to get experience? Good luck 🙂

Hi, I am an OT manager in an acute hospital. I started off in mental health doing acute psychiatry and elderly mentally ill. OT skills are very transferable as you know and it is great to have worked in both physical and psych before you get too senior. Why not just give it a go. Lots of vacancies at present.

Thanks so much, you must of had a varied career then! Great advice, I have just been offered an interview in council in adult social care.. I’m going to give it my best shot! I don’t think it will be good for my OT skills to stay as generic care co

We recently interviewed for a senior neuro post and the candidate with experience in mental health prior to neuro stood out at interview as it made her more rounded. We treat people holistically and even in an acute hospital, the patients bouncing in and out often have chronic mental health needs. In social services you will see lots of patients with chronic health conditions who will also understandably have anxiety and depression and this will further impact their function. Go for it 🙂

I would pick your area carefully. Trying to get the right care for discharge for the older adult is pretty soul destroying too.

Is there any winning in this kind of work? :/ Currently leaving very unwell people in their homes (suicidal) due to lack of MH beds

OT skills are flexible.

Thank you! I got the job after successfully interviewing yesterday! Really looking forward to broadening my skills and doing OT specific work, rather than generic.