Gemma Cresswell

Currently working within a 28 bedded acute setting for individuals aged 18 years and over.

Currently working across two 8 bedded wards, holding a caseload of up to 16 individuals.

My key duties include:

• Providing support in assessing functional ability in activities of daily living through PADL assessments, cooking assessments and public transport use.
• Support in assessing risks of falls and support with mobility issues that an individual may have.
• Offer a wide range of therapeutic activities and plan for interventions specific to the needs of the patient population.
• To report on patient progress and provide feedback of interventions within the multi-disciplinary team and to external stakeholders i.e. commissioners and care-coordinators.
• Collaborative, person centred goal setting and care planning by thoroughly assessing the individuals needs throughout admission
• Working within an OT team consisting of a Senior Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Creating least restrictive environments
• Report writing, attending CPA meetings, ward rounds ,liaising with other professionals as required, ensuring quality of care.

I was the sole lead Occupational Therapist responsible for the provision of the occupational therapy service, developing an evidence based pathway within a 12 bed mental health rehabilitation step-through service for working aged males in a rural setting. The focus is to deliver holistic, person-centred care and create a therapeutic environment to support recovery and maximise independence.

I identified occupational needs and support enhancing occupational performance and function through observation and assessment and developed and implemented collaborative, evidence based interventions in collaboration with the individual and multi-disciplinary team, following the OT process and using clinical models to underpin my practice; improving individuals independence and quality of life.

I co-ordinated appropriate interdisciplinary, person centred care that promotes independence for individuals on my caseload. Undertaking occupational therapy assessments for a designated caseload, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure.

I was nominated for "OT of the Year" by my colleagues in 2022.

I have been leading a team within my first year of qualifying; including an Occupational Therapy Assistant and Activity Coordinator. I have completed my preceptorship and have an interest in becoming Sensory Integration trained.

I have redesigned the therapeutic timetable, improving Occupational Therapy provision within the service and facilitated in house training to colleagues to raise the profile of the occupational therapy profession.

I have worked without direct supervision for 7 months, receiving long arm supervision and support from the multi disciplinary team. This has improved my clinical reasoning; advocating individuals needs, autonomy and leadership skills, my ability to work using my own initiative, enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills and my ability to work with people and as part of a multidisciplinary team. I contribute to risk management planning and care plan accordingly.

I have managed a caseload of 20 individuals, leading an Occupational Therapy Assistant to support implementing clinically relevant interventions. I am responsible for identifying occupational therapy needs, care planning and implementing person centred interventions, following the OT process and using clinical models to underpin my practice; improving individuals independence and quality of life. I am a holistic practitioner, considering the management of physical, psychological and spiritual symptoms, have effective communication skills regarding goals of care that are person centred and provide support for clinicians and families.

Assist clients who have diagnosed Personality Disorder including some individuals with co-existing mental and physical health conditions, who may engage in self-harm behaviour - some are detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act. This role also involves supporting individuals with wide and varied capabilities. My duties also include the following:

• 1:1 support sessions/key patient case load
• Build and develop rapport with clients and families and support clients to attend social events
• Update Personal Care Plans/Visual Discharge plans
• MAPPA trained
• Observe and monitor behaviour of clients for changes
• Work collaboratively with the team and ensure best practice is carried out
• Provided and planned therapeutic leisure activities, supporting individuals to engage in meaningful, leisure activities

Prior to beginning my degree programme I had the role of therapy co-ordinator which spurred me on to becoming a qualified Occupational Therapist. During this enjoyable time I was responsible for the following:

• Demonstrated unconditional positive regard towards patients
• Created and led therapy groups aimed at supporting rehabilitation
• Promoted and supported positive risk taking activities
• Devised therapy timetables with patients
• Took engaged patients on graded exposure trips
• Actively engaged and encouraged self-determining rehabilitation activities
• Delivered patient centred therapy activities
• Managed caseload of patients

• Highlighted additional support provisions to maximise clients' growth opportunities.
• Monitored and documented client behaviours, activities and development, aiding appropriate care plan management.
• Reported on clients' progress to evaluate service impact.
• Reported on service user progress to senior staff, addressing concerns and suggesting appropriate action.

• Promoted personal wellbeing and independence, building service user confidence through social and community interaction.
• Provided support in social, physical and emotional areas to assist clients with integration into local community.
• Listened to clients' current struggles to signpost relevant support.
• Led group activity programmes to support independence and encourage community inclusion.
• Assisted with personal care activities such as washing and dressing, consistently promoting positive health and hygiene.
• Built strong patient relationships through compassionate care and friendly rapport building.
• Conducted one-to-one and group support sessions, helping service users to achieve care plan objectives.
• Used excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and interact with individuals in need.
• Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.

• Assisted with cashier close-down by counting drawer change and processing vouchers.
• Educated customers on promotions, offers and special events to enhance product sales.
• Advised alternative products to meet specific preferences or budgetary needs.
• Greeted customers entering store and responded promptly to customer needs.
• Delivered outstanding customer care with proactive sales and listening skills.
• Processed sales, exchange and refund transactions efficiently to reduce customer waiting times.
• Answered questions about store policies and concerns politely and professionally, supporting positive customer experiences.
• Kept checkouts areas and general store clean and orderly.
• Helped meet business needs by working extra shifts.
• Addressed and resolved customer complaints to maintain customer loyalty and satisfaction.
• Resolved customer complaints and answered queries about store products.
• Assisted customers to locate obscure items on shop floor.
• Trained and mentored new cashiers and clerks in correct processes.
• Helped customers to pack away shopping for improved customer experience.
• Reduced customer wait times through optimised checkout processes.

• Assisted customers with product selection and sales, recommending items to increase transaction value.
• Maintained accurate records to track cash handling activities.
• Guaranteed high levels of customer satisfaction through product knowledge and attentive service.
• Monitored display stock levels, replenishing for consistently well-stocked sales floor.
• Requested and checked customer IDs at checkout for age-restricted products.
• Helped to prevent shoplifting by reporting or escalating suspicious activity or known offenders.
• Identified discrepancies in stocks through regular inventory management.
• Accepted card, cash and cheque payments in POS register system.
• Designed visually pleasing in-store and window displays to increase footfall.
• Updated product labelling and pricing to reflect discounts and offers.