Occupational therapists

Most commonly occupational therapists help those living with mental health conditions, physical health conditions, or learning disabilities. You will typically find occupational therapists in health organisations such as the NHS or private sector, social services, housing, education, such as schools or colleges, and voluntary organisations.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy support workers in North West London may work in:

• our hospitals
• in peoples homes
• in our community services
• GP practices
• schools
• health clinics.

Occupational Therapists work with older people, adults and children of all ages who have a wide range of conditions.

Some of these conditions include those that:

• exist from birth
• develop with the natural aging process.
• have happened following an accident or injury.
• are the result of a traumatic event or life change that may affect your mental or physical health/ or well-being.

There are a wide range of conditions that occcupational therapists can support a person with. Examples include:

• Mental health conditions: mood disorders, such as bipolar affective disorder or depression, anxiety disorders, psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia
• Physical health conditions: chronic pain, neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s disease, autoimmune conditions such as arthritis
• Learning disabilities or neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.

Here is an example of what a day in the life as an occupational therapist (OT) working in an inpatient setting looks like, from the perspective of an OT:

Every day in my life as an occupational therapist working in a hospital unfolds as a dynamic journey. My day usually involves providing occupational therapy for individuals or groups of patients, engaging and training family members and carers of patients, participating in meetings with a range of other health professionals, and completing reports and onward referrals to other agencies.

Today, as always, I start by checking in with my team. This morning I am due to see a patient who has had a fall and was admitted to hospital, so I dive into reviewing their medical record, extracting valuable information. I visit the patient on the ward and my assessment consists of a discussion with them and their spouse about the social support arrangements they already have in place, observation of them performing their personal care tasks, and a brief cognition screen. Using the insights gained from my assessment, I support the patient to identify their treatment goals, which have the overall aim of increasing independence and improving their sense of accomplishment. We will start to focus on the treatment at my next visit. I also prescribe a toilet frame to support the patient in achieving their goals.

Next, I visit a group of 4  patients in the activity room of a hospital ward. They are all working towards treatment goals involving their ability to feed themselves. I talk to them about the need for good posture when eating. Then I support them to practice using adapted cutlery to feed themselves.

After a lunch break, I have a meeting with a patient who has suffered a minor head injury, their family and employer, on how best to support the patient with the lasting effects of the injury. I talk to them about how modifying the patients’ diary of tasks and their environment can help improve their concentration at work.

Lastly, I visit a patient’s home, as they are due to be discharged from hospital. Part of this is to complete an assessment of the safe moving and handling of the patient once they return home. I provide practical training and advice to the patient’s family on manual handling procedures and equipment, which reduces safety risks.

I return to my team office to write up patient notes and complete other administration tasks such as ordering the toilet frame.  It has been a busy but rewarding day. I love the varied age groups and settings within occupational therapy, and that my day is a mosaic of responsibilities tailored to improving the lives of patients within their everyday environments.

Occupational therapists (OTs) may work closely with OT assistants within their day-to-day role. They may also work alongside other allied health professionals such as physiotherapists or speech and language therapists.

Other professionals OTs may work alongside include psychologists, nurses, doctors, social workers, or non-clinical professionals such as housing officers or staff within voluntary sector organisations.

If you want to become an occupational therapist (OT) you will need to complete a degree qualification in occupational therapy which takes three years, or up to six if you select a part-time course. On completion of your degree, you will need to register with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to be able to practice as this is the governing body.

For those who have already completed a bachelor's degree but want to explore a career in occupational therapy, you can complete a masters degree in one or two years.

You can also apply via an apprenticeship route which will often take four years to complete as you can work alongside your studies.

Occupational therapist

A newly qualified occupational therapist will enter at band 5 on the NHS Agenda for change pay scale. This has a salary between £28,000 to £34,500. Roles within North West London are also eligible for an additional 15-20% pay, meaning the salary in one of our eight boroughs starts from £32,200.  

Occupational therapy support worker

Support workers are usually employed at NHS agenda for change pay bandings 3 and 4 - salaries can range from £22,000 to £27,500. Roles within North West London are eligible for an additional 15-20% pay, meaning in any of our eight boroughs these start from £25,300. 

The NHS also has other employee benefits such as annual leave of between 27 - 33 days, plus bank holidays; an excellent pension scheme; and other payment schemes during periods where staff are off work e.g. maternity and sickness.

AHPs are able to move up the agenda for change pay bands as they progress in their career.  To see what the salaries are for more experienced staff, you can view the salary bands here.

If you would like to find out more, please see the links below:

• What is Occupational Therapy? OT Explained - RCOT
• Information on being an occupational therapist - Degrees and Courses - Health Careers