ARRS Roles - Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists are playing an increasing role in primary care. They enable people living with a range of health problems and chronic conditions to overcome the barriers so they can participate in everyday life and improve their health and wellbeing.
Occupational therapists assess the needs of people to do what they need and want to do (occupations). They develop plans with patients, so they can re-engage in everyday life, despite their health and social difficulties.
Through intervening early and taking a collaborative approach occupational therapists are able to address what matters to people. This can minimise crisis situations, prevent further deterioration and promote independence and social inclusion. HEE
Occupational Therapists can help GPs to support patients with a range of needs:
Frail older adults
- Use of frailty indexes to identify people needing a proactive approach
- Rapid crisis response to prevent hospital admission or to speed discharge.
- Assessment and interventions to ensure people can cope at home, including support for carers.
- Short term rehabilitation interventions and referral on to specialist services if indicated
- Use of digital and assistive technology to ensure safety at home.
People with mental health problems
- Risk assessment for acute distress,
- Personalised care plans for self-management,
- Patient activation to achieve personal goals,
- Social prescribing, and signposting or referral onto recovery support and services.
Working age adults with employment difficulties
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Use of AHP Health and Work report in place of GP fit note for sick pay
- Tailored, specific advice about workplace modifications. Royal College of Occupational Therapists
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists provide monthly drop- in sessions for Occupational Therapy students, clinicians, managers and education leads to find out more about the role and to support the role in primary care, there is a timetable of sessions available throughout 2023, click here for more information and to register.
To join the Occupational therapy in primary care network to receive newsletters, relevant information/resources and have access to the Network Hub, click here.
Training and Development
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A BSc degree in occupational therapy is required to work as an occupational therapist in any setting. · HEE Primary care FCP training must be completed as the minimum threshold for entry to primary care and be supported by appropriate governance and indemnity. · HEE primary care FCP training can begin 3-5 years after the completion of the postgraduate degree. HEE |
This occupational therapy version of the educational pathway and framework is applicable across the life span dependent on the scope of practice, appropriate knowledge and skills that may apply to specific patient groups, and the job description that the FCP Occupational Therapist is working under. Health Education England provide regular updates about the roadmaps here.
Example of a job description
Useful Links
Occupational therapy in primary care - RCOT
https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Occupational-Therapist.pd
Occupational Therapists in primary care | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)
