New year, new direction for an Occupational Therapist?

[vvork]

Any work from home ideas for an OT who doesn't drive (not through choice, boring medical reasons, used to love driving)? Sick of the commute to the hospital and paying silly money for wraparound for 2 DC five days a week (can't afford to drop days or compress). Really don't want to do PIP assessing and don't have enough experience in neuro/paeds/ABI/major adaptations for case management. But happy to consider non-traditional/non-OT roles if they involve using my OT skillset.

Any bright ideas, anyone...?

Would you not consider just plain old private OT in your field of expertise? I feel as if those of us who work in the NHS underestimate our ability to do our own jobs tbh, and the value of that to others.

Work for a charity, either on a National helpline or as a quality/partnership manager or locality lead? You'd just need the relevant expertise in the charities field for example Oncology for Breast Cancer Now, Roy Castle, Macmiall etc, Dementia for Alzheimer's Society, Stroke Association etc..........

Work for a charity, either on a National helpline or as a quality/partnership manager or locality lead? You'd just need the relevant expertise in the charities field for example Oncology for Breast Cancer Now, Roy Castle, Macmiall etc, Dementia for Alzheimer's Society, Stroke Association etc..........

Does your Trust have Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners? Could be a route to go down?

Work for a charity, either on a National helpline or as a quality/partnership manager or locality lead? You'd just need the relevant expertise in the charity field, for example Oncology for Breast Cancer Now, Roy Castle, Macmillan etc, Dementia for Alzheimer's Society, Stroke Association etc..........

How about looking at higher education roles- academic mentoring is something that a lot of students with mental health conditions/ autism access. A lot of the mentoring can be done via zoom/ MS Teams. OT’s often have the right skill set. There are certain agencies that recruit for mentors such as UMO (University Mentoring Organisation).

Ooh interesting shout on PWP, thanks. Just looked and nothing by me currently but certainly one to keep checking. Also thinking about social prescriber/link working.

Hadn't thought of charities, either, and in a previous life I did (low level) quality & partnerships work, so im off to Google that...

Unfortunately my area is inpatient-based with a focus on future admission avoidance & supported discharge. There's nothing a private providers could do for my current patient population that statutory services don't already completely cover. But you have given me food for thought about how shy we all are about the adaptability of our skills! I definitely need to think more creatively!

Really appreciate these suggested, keep em coming if you can...!

Sorry for typos, this site keeps glitching 😬

Can't really do community any more as I'm not allowed to drive sadly. I'm happy to pay for taxis to see a few patients per week but I couldn't cover the physical area that a Trust would need. I do miss that part of the job.

Missed the uni mentor post, sorry! Will Google that too, ta.

I would look at assistant case manager work if you don’t have the relevant specialism experience. You could then get the speciality experience and transfer to case management in 1-2 years. Super flexible, does involve travel but if linked to a good travel network is possible as a non driver