SEFALI DUSHYANT PATEL
Twickenham
Summary
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and Practice Placement Lead with 10 years of experience across higher education, clinical practice, and international rehabilitation contexts in the UK, India, and Vietnam. My research interests focus on culturally responsive education and practice-based learning within health professions education, shaped by experience across diverse global contexts. I am currently undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) and aim to advance research-informed pedagogical practice and contribute to scholarship through doctoral study.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy & Practice Placement Lead
St Mary’s University
Twickenham, London
11.2024 - Current
- Deliver postgraduate teaching, assessment, and supervision across the MSc Occupational Therapy programme, supporting students’ development of professional competence
- Lead module delivery for Practice Placements and Specialist Practice and Preparation for the Workplace, supporting students’ transition into practice-based learning
- Contribute to teaching across modules including Principles and Practice in Occupational Therapy, Research Principles and Practice, Occupational Science, Health and Wellbeing, and Essential Knowledge and Skills for Practice
- Lead and manage practice-based learning provision, ensuring high-quality student learning experiences and support
- Establish and expand placement capacity through partnership development across health and social care settings, overseeing allocation and quality processes
- Design and deliver interprofessional placement preparation teaching for occupational therapy and physiotherapy students, including safe moving and handling training
- Lead coordination of the International Partner Programme (IPP), developing international learning opportunities that support students’ understanding of occupational therapy practice from a global perspective, in collaboration with ZHAW University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland, and other European partner institutions
Occupational Therapist (Vocational Rehabilitation)
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
02.2023 - 11.2024
- Delivered occupational therapy within a vocational rehabilitation service, supporting functional recovery and return to work
- Conducted functional capacity and workplace assessments to inform rehabilitation planning and reasonable workplace adjustments
- Supervised students on placement and contributed to clinical teaching within a multidisciplinary NHS setting
International Occupational Therapy Specialist
The International Center
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Contributed to USAID-funded rehabilitation projects focused on strengthening multidisciplinary services and developing sustainable practice models
- Developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support service implementation across provincial and district hospitals
- Delivered training and tele-supervision during COVID-19, supporting clinical reasoning, professional learning, and workforce capacity
Lecturer & Clinical Supervisor (Occupational Therapy)
Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Hue
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Delivered undergraduate teaching across core modules including Introduction and Frameworks in Occupational Therapy Practice, Occupational Therapy in Neurological Conditions, and Occupational Therapy in Orthopaedic Conditions
- Designed and implemented academic and clinical assessments aligned to learning outcomes and professional standards
- Supervised student placements across acute and community settings, facilitating the development of clinical reasoning and core clinical skills in neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation
Assistant Professor (Occupational Therapy)
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal
08.2016 - 09.2017
- Delivered undergraduate teaching across modules in foundations of occupational therapy and rehabilitation in neurological and orthopaedic conditions, supporting the development of theoretical knowledge and its application to practice
- Supervised students on placements across orthopaedics, plastic surgery, and neurorehabilitation, supporting clinical reasoning and skills development
- Contributed to multidisciplinary rehabilitation and provided academic mentoring to support student learning and professional development
Education
Master of Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
India01-2016
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Gujarat University
India01-2014
Skills
- Facilitation of learning
- Culturally responsive teaching
- Professional partnership development
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Effective communication
References
- Laura Minogue, SFHEA, Head of Academic Professional Development, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, UK, laura.minogue@stmarys.ac.uk
- Dr Kee Hean Lim, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, UK, keehean.lim@stmarys.ac.uk
- Dr Sebestina Anita Dsouza, PhD, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India, sebestina.dsouza@manipal.edu
- Dr Ha Chan Nhan, MD, Dean, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue, Vietnam, hcnhan@huemed-univ.edu.vn
Timeline
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy & Practice Placement Lead
St Mary’s University
11.2024 - Current
Occupational Therapist (Vocational Rehabilitation)
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
02.2023 - 11.2024
International Occupational Therapy Specialist
The International Center
09.2021 - 12.2022
Lecturer & Clinical Supervisor (Occupational Therapy)
Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy
08.2019 - 08.2021
Assistant Professor (Occupational Therapy)
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
08.2016 - 09.2017
Master of Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Gujarat University