So, what exactly are we looking for in candidates at TPAG? You may be surprised!
Occupational therapy… it’s no surprise we love it! OT’s are versatile, providing support across the lifespan, from learning tasks for the first time, to learning how to do tasks differently later in life, and everything in between.
Becoming a top-notch occupational therapist requires more than a degree. It's a unique blend of qualities. So, what exactly are we looking for in candidates at TPAG? You may be surprised!
We’re a caring profession (and team), and empathy is the cornerstone of this role. Your ability to connect with clients and their families is the lynchpin that will help you successfully support great outcomes. While the goal is to overcome the challenge being experienced, being able to do that and connect with the client, making them feel understood and seen is key.
As their OT, you will be their biggest cheerleader, providing the tools to empower them to be successful in their activities of daily living. How you deliver the message (intervention) is just as important as the intervention itself.
Newsflash: progress in occupational therapy doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey, sometimes with setbacks and slow progress. That's where patience comes into play. You've got to be the calm in the storm, the voice of encouragement when things get tough. However long it takes, you're in it for the long haul, cheering your clients on every step of the way (there’s those pom poms again!). You also need to be patient with yourself and expectations… we are all about healthy striving, not perfectionism.
A big part of being an OT is communicating. From explaining plans and interventions to clients and their families, to collaborating with other healthcare professionals (we love a holistic approach), clear communication is key. This can look different depending on your audience. Strong written and verbal skills are a given, but as an OT, this could include modelling actions for clients or using unique tools like social stories. It also encompasses active listening and observation (circling back to empathy and connection), so you can work out the best way to deliver the information to the person.
Working across a diverse range of ages and needs, your delivery of information will need to adjust on a client-by-client basis. Building strong relationships is one of TPAG’s key values, because we recognise that how we communicate builds trust and results in progress for our clients. Win, win!
Being a TPAG OT working across the lifespan, no two days are ever the same. One day, you're working with a war veteran to help them access their home in a safe way and the next, you're brainstorming sensory activities for a child living with autism. That's why flexibility is crucial. You've got to roll with the punches and adapt your approach to meet the individual needs of your clients.
Finally, being a TPAG occupational therapist means striving for continuous improvement. Not just for your clients, but for yourself (can anyone say professional development?), and for our team.
The OT landscape is constantly evolving, with new research, methods and ideas emerging. That's why a passion for learning is non-negotiable. At TPAG we love continuous improvement for our team and our organisation, and this links to our value of ‘evolving potential’. We are looking for someone who can look at the big picture, make suggestions for changes and improvements and is always questioning, because that is how we evolve!
As you can see, it isn’t just about what you know; it's about who you are – empathetic, patient, communicative, flexible, and passionate about learning, they are all qualities that link together and create a fantastic OT. If you have these qualities in spades, then congratulations – you're just the OT we are looking for!
