
EXCLUSIVE: A day within the lifetime of a famend occupational therapist – AT Right now
Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapist (OT) and Director of The Occupational Remedy Service, discusses what it’s wish to collaborate with main producers to design significant assistive applied sciences based mostly on buyer suggestions; how fulfilling it’s to see shoppers regain their independence after a house adaptation; and tackling the problem of taking a proactive slightly than a reactive method to diversifications.
“I’m the founder and director of The Occupational Remedy Service, although I preserve my identification as an occupational therapist at my core.
“My work spans a number of areas, from collaborating with main producers like Stannah on product design to working instantly with shoppers who’ve skilled catastrophic accidents. In each capacities, my focus stays on serving to folks obtain their targets and rediscover objective of their lives by way of methodical, client-centred approaches.”
“My position is splendidly numerous, with every day bringing new challenges and alternatives. When working with producers like Stannah, I take part in detailed product improvement classes the place we analyse and refine options for brand new merchandise resembling its homelift vary, Uplifts. We rigorously take into account buyer suggestions and make exact changes to make sure our merchandise meet particular person wants.
“I continuously have interaction in media actions, resembling conducting radio interviews alongside trade leaders like Sam Stannah, CEO of Uplifts, the place we focus on essential matters resembling future-proofing properties for long-term independence. A major a part of my work includes creating complete medical reasoning paperwork that assist different occupational therapists make knowledgeable suggestions about assistive applied sciences.
“I additionally often current at trade occasions, resembling The OT Present, the place I discuss occupational remedy fashions of apply and emphasise the elemental significance of significant occupation in our shoppers’ lives.”
“My work with assistive applied sciences encompasses a variety of options. Past my in depth work with homelifts, I’m deeply concerned in growing revolutionary rest room options, together with next-generation bathe techniques and specialised bathroom seats with AKW.
“I’ve just lately contributed to launching a brand new chair design with Repose and am exploring the combination of voice activation know-how into mainstream merchandise to boost person security. These initiatives symbolize our ongoing dedication to advancing assistive know-how options throughout a number of domains of each day residing.”
“In my position, I collaborate with a number of main producers within the assistive know-how sector. These partnerships embody working relationships with Stannah in mobility options, AKW for lavatory diversifications, and Repose for specialised seating.
“I additionally work intently with Abacus on assisted bathing options, Closomat for laundry and toileting options, Washpod for moveable rest room options, Winncare for affected person dealing with, and Triton for showering options.
“Every of those partnerships contributes to our capacity to supply complete options for our shoppers’ wants.”
“Probably the most rewarding facet of my position is witnessing the tangible affect of our work on shoppers’ lives. There’s nothing fairly like receiving suggestions after an adaptation has been accomplished and figuring out that our interventions have enabled somebody to realize their targets and proceed residing life to the fullest. It’s significantly gratifying to see shoppers return to actions they love and preserve their independence.”
“One of many major challenges we face is the reactive slightly than proactive method to house diversifications. As a member of the ageing inhabitants myself, I strongly advocate for ahead planning in house modifications.
“Putting in diversifications like house lifts or walk-in showers earlier than they develop into critically obligatory – whether or not as a consequence of sudden accidents or gradual ageing – could make an amazing distinction in sustaining high quality of life and independence. These modifications will help preserve power for extra significant actions and guarantee properties stay accessible as wants change.”
“For these curious about coming into this subject, I like to recommend pursuing a qualification in occupational remedy as your basis. These curious about product improvement and innovation may take into account alternatives within the personal sector.
“Exploring affiliate positions with organisations like The Occupational Remedy Service can present beneficial expertise in numerous elements of the career. All through your profession improvement, it’s important to take care of a powerful concentrate on client-centred apply whereas growing industrial consciousness. These components mix to create a well-rounded skilled able to making significant contributions to each particular person shoppers and the broader subject of occupational remedy.”
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