Locum Occupational Therapist Careers Toolkit - The Definitive Guide to Working as a Locum Occupational Therapist
Working in occupational therapy is a rewarding job that has lots of room for advancement, making it a viable career path for many. Occupational therapists support people with mental and physical health issues and can help individuals overcome difficult environments or social circumstances. In essence, an occupational therapist works to give people the ability to perform day-to-day tasks if they struggle to do so.
Occupational therapists can work with agencies to find work, develop their careers and strike the best possible work-life balance. For many, locum work as an occupational therapist is a fantastic setup, allowing for greater flexibility and better pay. In this article, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive overview of what it takes to work as an agency occupational therapist, from learning more about the job to how locuming works.
About Occupational Therapy in the UK
Although occupational therapy may seem like quite a new job, it’s been around since the First World War. Since then, it has been an integral part of healthcare in the UK and is found in workplaces, hospitals and schools. It is quite a flexible career, giving you the chance to specialise in different areas and work in a variety of different environments.
Occupational therapy is a regulated profession in the UK, so in order to work in this role you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and meet their standards of proficiency. A part of this is obtaining a relevant degree in occupational therapy (or equivalent). Throughout your career as an occupational therapist, you will also have to undergo continuous professional development (CPD) so that you are using the latest techniques and approaches.
What is Locum Work?
Locum work is a specific type of working arrangement that is particularly common in the world of healthcare. Locuming allows you to work in temporary positions for an employer, which opens you up to a lot of different working environments. It is an inherently flexible approach to working, where you can choose the type of work you pick up, where you work and you can even negotiate your rates. Due to its unique nature, locum work as an occupational therapist can be the perfect arrangement as it offers many notable benefits, such as:
