Occupational Therapists encouraged to return to practice
Berkshire Healthcare employee Joseph Reid, a Senior Occupational Therapist at Prospect Park Hospital, shares his journey from initially "falling into" the profession to taking a much-needed career break and eventually finding his way back. His story reinforces the value of occupational therapy and the opportunities available for those considering a return to the field.
Published 1 November 2024
Starting out
“I really fell into OT by a series of circumstances,” Joseph reflects on his decision to pursue occupational therapy. Initially considering a career change from his previous work in photography, Joseph was introduced to the idea of occupational therapy by a friend alongside Art Therapy and after some deliberation decided to start training.
The Occupational Therapy course and its work placements helped drive his passion for Occupational Therapy, and in particular see what an important role Occupational Therapy has in supporting people with mental illnesses. "During the course it became apparent that actually psychology and mental health was something that I actually did find interesting and the placements that I experienced solidified my thoughts. The placements allowed me to be creative and use some of the practical skills already possessed to create interventions and group working sessions."
A varied career path
Joseph’s career as an OT has been anything but linear. Since qualifying in 2013, his roles have ranged from working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and rotational Occupational Therapist at Prospect Park Hospital to a Disability Assessor. However, after working for 18 months at a different high security psychiatric hospital, Joseph felt himself “starting to burn out as a clinician”.
After leaving his role due to the pressures of mental health risk and workload, Joseph took a step back for a year. “I knew I needed to recalibrate. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I had to prioritise my own mental health.”
Returning to practice
Joseph’s return to occupational therapy wasn’t immediate, and he approached it with caution. He started back as a support worker at Prospect Park Hospital, avoiding the pressures of managing a caseload while rediscovering his passion for the field. "It gave me time to evaluate the role without the immediate pressure," he says. He later completed a return-to-practice programme and now thrives as a Senior Therapist once again. “I feel a valued member of my multi-disciplinary team”
For OTs considering a return, Joseph emphasises the importance of reflection: “Explore the reasons why you left in the first place and consider the environment you want to return to. Healthcare settings and roles evolve, but the process of returning to practice can be quite smooth.” He notes that the support he received at Berkshire Healthcare made his transition back easier than expected. “I thought there would be more hoops to jump through, but it was refreshingly straightforward.”
The call for OTs to return to practice is more than just filling a vacancy—it’s an invitation to once again engage in meaningful, life-changing work. As Joseph’s journey illustrates, there is always a way back, and the profession will welcome you with open arms.
If you’re interested in discussing return to practice opportunities, please contact our Learning Environment Leads for an informal conversation