An overview of professional opportunities and priorities in your first two years as a newly qualified OT
The guidance and suggestions on this page will help you make the transition from student to professional in the two years following on from graduation. Some of this is general advice which relates to all graduates but only members of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) get access to the full range of opportunities explored below.
Find job opportunities
There are a variety of different sources of job listings, such as OT News and the British Journal of Occupational Therapists (BJOT) both of which are posted directly to members of BAOT. Other good sources of job listings include word of mouth, The Guardian (on a Wednesday) and NHS Jobs. While the majority of occupational therapists still work in the NHS more occupational therapists are now working in local government and the charitable sector. The sites listed below give useful advice on how to get to, and prepare for, interview:
Join or renew membership of BAOT
New graduates value membership of BAOT because it provides ‘confidence that I belong to a professional organisation that is responsive to its members’ needs and represents my passion for OT to others’ (Sarah Blackbourne).
Start networking
Enhance your continuing professional development and meet various OTs who work in different practice settings across health and social services. You’ll share best practice, learn what’s happening both locally and regionally, and enhance your knowledge and expertise in practice. Joining a local group is a great way to network in your area. If there isn’t a local group we will support you in setting one up: it’s a great CPD opportunity. Joining a Specialist Section will enable you network within your clinical specialism. Use the discussion forums on this website, follow BAOT on Twitter and make contact with other new graduates on Facebook.
Plan your career development
Identify the next step in your career and the skills and experience you will need to demonstrate to secure your new job or promotion. You may want to use some of the skills you have to identify short, medium and long term goals. Having a vision for your professional development is crucial. The following are useful career development tools:
Become a research leader
Your pre-registration OT programme will have equipped you with the necessary skills to produce a robust research proposal. Don’t let those skills go to waste. There are plenty of gaps within the profession’s evidence base and the need for more research continues to grow as the profession develops. Actively seek out opportunities to contribute to relevant research projects in your workplace and consider incorporating research into your career. Future OT students might quote you in their assignments!
Promote the profession
Celebrating and promoting the profession improves the public’s understanding of what occupational therapy is – making people more likely to ask for OT services. By promoting the profession you can also raise awareness of OT among service commissioners and policy makers. Get involved in OT Week, careers events and follow national debates about health and social care policy.
For more information contact Beriah Nelson Senior Membership Manager Email Beriah.Nelson@cot.co.uk Telephone 020 7450 5474