FAQs – Occupational Therapists find an answer to

• Do I need to register with a professional body in order to work in the UK?
• What is the HPC?
• How much is the fee for registration with HPC?
• What is NARIC?
• How much is the fee for registration with NARIC?
• What type of employment can I expect in the UK?
• What are the principle accountabilities a community employer is looking for?
• Can I see a sample Person Specification [a document that specifies what experience, knowledge and skills the employer is looking for] for a local authority employer?

Do I need to register with a professional body in order to work in the UK?        top

Jacaranda will advise you on the requirements of a specific employer, whether you need to be registered with a professional body in order to take on a specific job as an Occupational Therapist. However, health professions in the UK in general must register with a central body; in the case of Occupational Therapy this is the Health Professions Council (HPC). This process is a legal requirement and must be approached with care and attention. Registering with the HPC will give an equivalency to your qualification (there is no guarantee that this will be granted) and declare you to be of sound character and health and able to perform your duties as an Occupational Therapist. If your qualification gained, is found not to be equivalent to a British course of study, your work experience may make up for any perceived "shortfalls" - or you may be offered the chance to undertake a period of "adaption training". This may be on an academic level or a practical level. Jacaranda will advise you in view of specific requirements.

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What is the HPC?        top

The HPC was set up to protect the well-being and health of people living in the UK. It is a regulatory body to ensure that health professionals meet professional standards. The HPC keeps a register of professionals who hold a protected title, like Occupational Therapist, for example. Registering with the HPC means agreeing to meet and keep the professional standards. The HPC will take action if something goes wrong, and stop professionals who do not meet the standards of practice. Thereby the HPC ensures good quality for treatment in the UK and helps registered professionals to maintain their professional image and good reputation.

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How much is the fee for registration with HPC?        top

Please see www.hpc-uk.org for more information about fees for registration.

What is NARIC?        top

The NARIC Recognition and Evaluation Service is a possible first step recommended to individuals with international qualifications attained from outside the UK. The service is the starting point when considering progressions towards employment in the UK. The Evaluation Service provides a clear indication of the UK comparable level of your qualifications from another country. This assists UK bodies to understand your qualification.

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How much is the fee for registration with NARIC?        top

Please see www.naric.org.uk for more information about fees for registration.

What type of employment can I expect in the UK?        top

Placement opportunities are available in county councils as well as in private institutions. Geographical choices range from the metropolis of London to other cities, medium-sized towns and more rural areas. We will do our very best to meet your requests.

Candidates with experience in the following areas are welcome to apply:

• Acute Medical Occupational Therapy
• Burns Plastics and Amputees
• Occupational Therapy
• Cardiac Occupational Therapy
• Community Occupational Therapy
• Educational Occupational Therapy
• Older People Occupational Therapy
• General Medical Occupational Therapy
• Hand Therapy Occupational Therapy
• Mental Health Occupational Therapy
• Neurological Occupational Therapy
• Oncology Occupational Therapy
• Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy
• Outpatients Occupational Therapy
• Paediatric Occupational Therapy
• Rheumatology Occupational Therapy
• Social Services Occupational Therapy
• Splinting Occupational Therapy
• Stroke Occupational Therapy
• Surgical Occupational Therapy
• Trauma Occupational Therapy
• Wheelchair Occupational Therapy

What are the principle accountabilities an employer is looking for?
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• be responsible for a caseload of individual clients:
  • assess needs of clients, give them advice and support
  • organise networks of care around clients
  • work with other agencies
  • provide a therapeutic relationship to enable clients to achieve independence through using their own resources as far as possible, maximise potential, and resolve difficulties within their physical, emotional and societal environment
  • visit clients with substantial disabilities at home and assess their functional needs
  • write recommendations as well as reports
  • keep accurate records
• Share in the life of the team in accordance with needs mutually agreed by the team:
• develop special skills and interests
• work jointly with other team members where appropriate
• take part in work with groups of clients
• develop liaison with local agencies, (educational, health, voluntary groups etc)
• take part in the emergency duty rota
• attend team meetings
• Contribute to departmental responsibilities, developments and initiatives. These may include:
• membership of special interest groups/project development etc
• training

Can I see a sample Person Specification for a local authority employer?        top