Sharon Potts

I have 13 months experience working as a community Occupational Therapist at the Short-Term Support Service in Hexham. That is in addition to the placements I undertook during my university course. I provided support and rehabilitation to clients in a range of settings including the client’s own home and both residential & nursing care settings. My role included, inter alia, assisting developing, planning and delivering evidenced based Occupational Therapy interventions and ongoing assessments in collaboration with service users and their family and carers. I successfully managed multiple client caseloads - some of which had highly complex needs. I am passionate about delivering a respectful service, putting others first to ensure each patient’s needs are met. I strive to achieve an excellent health and wellbeing outcome for each and every patient. To assist my development and skillset, I have undertaken the supervision of occupational therapy students - contributing to their education whilst on clinical placement. I worked closely with technical instructors to delegate tasks and supervise the interaction of each student with each client. I have experience working with neurological conditions including dementia and stroke patients - the majority of which being older adults. The cogitative strategies I have used include memory work, date/time recognition, use of diaries, brainwave memory work and managing risk etc. I have undertaken neuro-training in attention memory, higher level skills and executive functions. I have been dedicated to developing my skillset. In developing these skills I have worked collaboratively with colleagues to deliver patient-centred care in various settings.

The practical placement experiences I undertook as a student include:

i) Community Rehabilitation Service (“ICC”) in Carlisle;

ii) The Psychiatric Unit at the Carleton Clinic, in Carlisle.

iii) Neuro Rehab at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

iv) Short-Term Support Service (STSS) in Hexham.

As a result of working within varied areas I was able to develop my skills within evidence-based practice. I have honed excellent communication skills whilst working within hospital inpatient settings and in the community. This has enabled me to build upon good working relationships with various professionals to deliver an honest and transparent service to patients. Post qualification I have communicated professionally and in a concise manner with patients and their families. My documentation is clear and accurate and I am able to efficiently complete complex assessments and reports. I work in line with the Trust’s policies, procedures and any/all relevant legislative provisions, including NICE guidelines in addition to that set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I follow the same systematically and thoroughly, applying the frameworks to each patient’s needs. I have an awareness of evidence-based practice and different clinical approaches. I can assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions to promote patient independence and thus help patients achieve their goals.Training courses I have undertaken to date include manual handling, core skills and first aid. I am committed to continuing my education and professional development. In doing so, I often read books and articles relating to the field of occupational therapy in order to expand my understanding of issues and to pick up useful techniques. I enjoy maintaining a good level of fitness by going to the gym regularly and hiking. Keeping my mind and body in shape gives me a personal sense of wellbeing, therefore enabling me to focus my efforts on providing quality care and attention whilst at work. I am a calm, focused, trustworthy and patient person and I am passionate about my work. The strengths which I entail are that I am organised, flexible and a strong leader. I always try to be the best version of myself and to be a role model to members of the team and also students. I feel these traits set me aside from others and that this is what makes an excellent occupational therapist.

• Gym and keeping fit
• Hiking
• Socialising
• Theatre and Cinema