I chose Occupational Therapy as a job that would reflect my enthusiasm for variety and change. I enjoy working with people and Occupational Therapy provides the opportunity to meet people of all walks of life and help them work towards achieving their personal goals. Throughout university I have demonstrated my ability to excel under pressure, to work effectively in a team and to be creative in solving problems, presenting information and designing research. I hope my career will enable me to build on my current skills. I am looking for a job in which I am valued as an equal team member and where I can use my initiative, while obtaining appropriate support from colleagues and supervisors.

1997 - 2000 St Martin's College, Lancaster
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Dissertation: Researched clinician's views on the therapeutic use of computers to discover how they are responding to new technology. As client centred practice requires use of meaningful activities, it is important to acknowledge IT as a medium increasingly used in everyday life.

1995 - 1997 Shrewsbury Sixth Form College
A-Levels: German, A; General Studies, A; Maths, B; English, B
Also GCSE Spanish, B

1990 - 1995 The Priory School, Shrewsbury
GCSEs: 10 subjects, grade A and above

Day Hospital, Sharoe Green, Preston
Assisted with individual and group work. Brought fresh ideas to the department including changing their patient filing system. Took responsibility for administrative tasks.

EMI Day Hospital, West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven
Involved designing activity programmes for group work and utilising activity analysis skills and personal judgement to provide each client with challenges appropriate to their abilities. Learned to be at ease with clients and become an active listener.

Elderly Care Ward, West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven
Involved careful assessment of clients in ADL activities and providing appropriate advice and support in facilitating return home from hospital.

Community, Devonshire Road, Blackpool
Helped reduce the waiting list as I took on responsibility for a caseload, improving my decision-making skills and liasing with staff over complex issues. I developed good communication skills with clients. Demonstrated ability to organise my time, making and keeping appointments, meeting deadlines and arranging visits myself.

Over all, fieldwork gave me confidence in new situations, ability to take on challenges and responsibilities independently, and the initiative to develop and define my own roles within the team. I gained insight into team dynamics and departmental practice in a variety of settings.

1998 - 1999 Student representative for our year group
Arranged meetings and collected feedback from students and reported to the student staff liaison committee. I negotiated and made suggestions for improvements in the course structure for the benefit of future students.

1997 - 1998 Outdoor pursuits
As a keen member of the outdoor pursuits society and climbing club, I regularly took part in activities including caving, climbing, skiing, hiking and cycling. These required good teamwork, determination, courage and trust.

1995 - 1997 Secretary and then chairman in my venture scout unit
Required organisation and planning to design programmes, distribute information, arrange guest speakers, and raise funds for excursions. I organised camps and visits, including a two-week backpacking expedition in Ireland.

1994 - 1997 Volunteered as a warranted brownie guider and scout helper
Involved designing activity programmes to help the group members to gain life skills while allowing them to have fun. Effective communication and leadership were necessary skills.

1994 - 1997 Played the viola in the Shropshire Youth Orchestra
I have attained grade 6 and look forward to devoting more time to music when I graduate.

I currently enjoy aerobics, swimming, and using the indoor climbing wall at the local sports centre. I am keen to try anything new and have recently tried out aeroball and kickboxing. I have also become interested in computers and have begun to design my own web page.

Claire Norris:
Senior Occupational Therapist, Community Occupational Therapy, Devonshire Road Hospital, Blackpool.

Peter Milston:
Personal and Academic Tutor and Occupational Therapy Lecturer, St Martin's College, Bowerham Road, Lancaster LA1 3JD.

Personal Profile

 

 

 

 

Education and Qualifications

 

 

 

 

 

Work Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skills and Responsibilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interests

 

 

References