If you like the idea of helping people live an independent live then a career as an Occupational Therapist, more commonly known as an 'OT', may be right up your street.
Collette Rice (25), from Gortatole, is employed as a community based paediatric OT in the Western Health and Social Care Trust. And, although she is relatively new to the job, she is firmly convinced this is a rewarding career choice.
Outlining what exactly an OT's role is, Collette explains: "OT's work with people of all ages, enabling them to carry out the activities they need, or want, to do in order to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
"We work with people who have physical, mental and/or social needs, either from birth or as a result of accident, illness or ageing. Our aim is to enable people to achieve as much as they can for themselves, so they can get the most out of life.
"When people cannot do things which are important to them," she continued, "such as getting dressed, having a shower, going to work, socialising, or undertaking a hobby, an Occupational Therapist can help them manage their challenges."
As a student at Mount Lourdes Grammar School, she studied Art, Religion and Geography, to A-level and, on leaving school, she initially took up a place on a Business Information Technology course at Queen's University Belfast.
However, she urges anyone who finds themselves in a course they are not happy with, not to be afraid to change, as she explained: "After completing two years, I decided this was not the career path I wanted to follow.
" So, I researched a variety of courses, including Occupational Therapy. I then chose this course as I felt I wanted to work with people, to make a difference to their lives and to help them regain independence and provide a better quality of life."
She explains the job gives a variety of opportunity to work with a range of people, both in the NHS and in private business.
After making the difficult decision to change course, Collette then went to Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh where she studied for four years.
This included a number of placements both within hospitals and in the community.
There is a course in Occupational Therapy available at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown. This is a three year course and the entry requirement is three 'B' grades at A-level, plus an aptitude test. Collette explained that while many people, like her, come into the career without a science background, a background in biology would be beneficial.
One of the downsides to the career is the difficulty in obtaining full-time employment when qualified.
To try and combat this, Collette did voluntary work in Manorhamilton in order to get some experience and references under her belt. Then it became easier to secure interviews and then a job.
This is a practice Collette believes would benefit newly-qualified OTs looking for employment.
During her time at University in Edinburgh, Collette also took up the opportunity to take part in a student exchange scheme which enabled her to work in Boston. This is a move she would highly recommend.
"This placement," she explains, "provided me with the opportunity to study three additional modules, Assistive Technology, Pediatrics and Pain Management. This gave me an insight into the advanced technologies and therapies used in OT practice in America, and this has influenced my interest in working within the area of paediatric OT."
Although currently Collette is involved in working with children, she also covers shifts as a Locum OT working weekends in the Ulster Hospital in Belfast, in the Orthopedic Ward.
"This involves assessment on the Ward and Rehab programme to enable people to reach possible independence and plan a safe and appropriate discharge to home or Community Hospital.
"The advantages of locum work is that it allows me to choose my hours of work which enables me to further develop OT knowledge and skills in a variety of settings."
However, it is clear Collette relishes her role working with children and young people: "It is sometimes more challenging working with children than adults, but it can also be more rewarding.
"You can have more interaction with children and, when we make progress it's lovely to see the reaction in their face."
Collette works both in schools and at a child's home, and states the welcome and support provided by families of her clients are essential: "We are often showing parents exercises and then they have to help the child to do these, so we need their support.
"But, generally families are very glad of the help we give, and are more than willing to co-operate."
Collette admits it can sometimes be emotional to see a child finishing their treatment because the OT and child will have developed a bond. However, she said,this is coupled with a feeling of joy that the child has made progress and achieved many of their goals.
Occupational Therapists often work along with other heath professionals, including Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, as well as other members of the OT team.
As such, it is essential that anyone considering this career is able to work as part of a team, is outgoing and motivated. They also need to be patient, like challenges, and communicate well with all ages.
