Non driving Occupational Therapist

[Twizzlelolly]

Morning! Looking for some advice please.

I would to love retrain and become an Occupational Therapist. However, I can’t drive (due to disability). Does anyone know if this would severely reduce my chances of getting work? Or are there plenty of hospital based roles?

Obviously I don’t want to spend years studying and working hard, to then not be able to work in the field and help people.

There are absolutely loads of hospital based OT jobs, and the NHS is a good employer for those with disabilities IMO. I drive in my hospital based role but if I did not want to, even without a disability, I wouldn't be made to. I am in mental health but I have friends in physical roles who also don't drive.

Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.

I'm a non-driving SLT (also due to disability) and have chosen hospital based roles as a result. You could also work in a clinic, residential rehabilitation unit or school setting (perhaps even a prison) with good transport links, basically anything that doesn't involve lots of travel between homes on a daily basis so definitely don't rule it out as a career, but your options in terms of range of jobs available may be more limited if you don't live in an urban area/near a hospital.

I could potentially work in the community/patients' homes in inner London due to great public transport and have seen some trusts actively advertise that you don't need to drive for these roles, but other trusts do often say it is essential to drive for community roles and it would be impossible to take on a community role in more rural areas or carrying lots of equipment (more of an issue for OT) unless you are able to work jointly e.g. with a driving physiotherapy colleague . I've never directly challenged the job description requirements that say driving is essential as I've always found roles more appropriate for me. I've had mixed experiences of the NHS as an employer for my disability but things are definitely improving. The key is having a supportive manager, particularly if sickness absence is likely to be an issue for you.

Good luck

I'd also add that there's an absolute recruitment crisis for hospital OTs here in London with record numbers of vacancies so hopefully good job prospects.

@Twizzlelolly

My DD has recently qualified as an OT, she applied for 4 jobs and got 4 offers, she took a rotation and as long as she picks hospital rolls wont need a car.

She absolutely loves her job, there is so much to being an OT, i ve learnt loads!

The only thing will be the placements, my DD found being able to drive a bonus BUT there were plenty on the course that didn't drive and they were easily accommodated but some had to move near to the placement hospital but nhs refunds all the costs apart from food.

Thank you everyone for your replies. It all sounds quite positive & it’s really helpful to hear from people who have experience of working for the NHS.

I’m lucky in that I do live close to a big hospital, so hopefully I would be able to find work afterwards there.

It does sound like a really varied and rewarding career.

I also have 2 young children, so hoping that the university would also take that into consideration with placements. I guess - cross that bridge when I get to it.

I’ve been accepted on to an Access Course for September, so thinking I’m going to go for it!

Wish me luck! & thanks again everyone 😀