Allied health professionals

After graduating in her hometown of Cardiff, therapeutic radiographer Amanda Williams moved to London to take a job at St Thomas' Hospital.

Further promotions meant Amanda's plans of returning to Wales didn't materialise - instead Kent became her new home with her husband and young family.

Now head of radiotherapy services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Amanda still loves the job she aspired to more than 30 years ago.

She said: “I was given good career advice at school, and I'd always considered a career in the NHS. I completed work experience within a radiography department which further cemented my aspiration.

“Therapeutic radiographers follow patients through their treatment journey and that's what I love about the role, building rapport with patients.

“My dad died from cancer when I was seven, and perhaps the idea of working with cancer patients started at that point, I don't know. What I do know is I enjoy caring for patients and knowing I am giving something back.

I love the job

“I've spent more than 30 years in the NHS - working my way to the very top of my profession - and I still love the job today as I did the first day I started.

“What's great about the NHS is there is flexibility and the opportunity to be promoted even with part time hours and around family and caring responsibilities. If you're prepared to work hard, there are great career opportunities available.”

An interest in how different foods can impact a person's health and wellbeing is what inspired Charlotte Wilson into a career as a dietitian.

The 33-year-old returned to practice with Medway Community Health earlier this year after a two-year break.

Charlotte explains: “My mum has diabetes and when I was a teenager, I was overweight and because of this I started researching food and diet and how these impact our weight, health and wellbeing. It was then I knew I wanted to be a dietitian, doing a job where I could help others.”

After graduating from the University of Surrey in 2013, Charlotte secured her dream job but after eight years, she decided to take a career break to spend time with her young children.

She said: “I wanted a break - the balance wasn't right for me and at the time my children were younger and needed me more. But there came a point last year when I realised I wanted to return to practice. I phoned my previous supervisor to suggest I return as a part time assistant. I'd been the safeguarding lead previously and I wasn't sure I wanted that level of responsibility again. But she said I was too good for that! They needed me back as the experienced dietitian they knew me for - the team has supported me every step of the way.

It's simple to return to practice

“I love being a dietitian. I always have. And I spent five years at university studying hard and investing in myself to get where I am today. I realised I didn't want to waste all that learning. 

“For anyone interested in returning to practice I would say, don't let the paperwork put you off, it can be simple and you will have support. Come back and do the job you love.”

Flexibility, patient care and local working - three reasons why dietitian Heather Wanstall is pleased she returned to practice in Kent and Medway.

The 58-year-old graduated from King's College London in 1987 and after two years at Guy's Hospital, she relocated to Kent for a job in Dartford.

After 16 years working for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Heather decided on a career change and left the NHS to lecture in nutrition and dietetics at London Metropolitan University. From there she moved into the charity sector, working first for Prostate Cancer UK and then the Royal College of Radiologists.

She explains: “I was made redundant from the college in 2021 but that gave me the opportunity to reconsider what I wanted to do next. Flexibility, the opportunity to work locally and not commute to London plus working with patients again, made returning to practice as a dietitian the ideal solution.

“I phoned my local dietetics department and they jumped at the chance to have me. I completed three months of supervised practice and study before landing a six-month pilot role in oncology - a role that lasted for two years. I then moved to a community trust where I am now team leader.

“I had mixed emotions about returning to practice. I re-joined the NHS at the end of the pandemic and there was a lot of new language to learn, and PPE guidance to follow. But the joy of working with a lovely team, and not commuting into London, meant I soon found my feet and relaxed into the role.

Making a difference

“Three years in, I know I am making a difference to people. Working with patients over an extended period means I get to know them well.

“I like the variety of working in a mixture of settings - care homes, resident's homes and clinic.

“I also help trainees and apprentices and it's rewarding to see them develop and grow. It's also an opportunity for me to share my professional skills and teaching knowledge.

“Therapists listen and get to know their patients. We can find out what people are struggling with and offer a solution in an approachable and friendly way.

“To anyone considering returning to practice, I would say 'go for it' and don't be daunted by the paperwork. You will be snapped up and won't regret it.”

An interim job for Kent County Council turned into a 40-year career for Occupational Therapist Jane Miller. 

The 64-year-old graduated in 1981 from Northampton School of Occupational Therapy.

Her first love was mental health and after cutting her teeth in the former psychiatric hospital at Tooting Bec, London, Jane relocated to the New Forest to help set up a psychiatric day hospital.

When she returned to Kent in 1984 to be nearer to her elderly parents, Jane started working for KCC - and she has never looked back, being promoted through the organisation to become principal occupational therapist for KCC.

She explains: “I was a creative child and my mother encouraged me to pursue a career in OT because she knew I like craftwork and working out solutions to problems. These were the foundations for a dynamic career working with people to determine what mattered to them most and support them to find solutions to their challenges.

“As an OT it is very satisfying to find solutions for disabled people. We are privileged to go into people's homes - we are their guests - to look at their home environment and to assess how equipment or alterations can help them live their best life.”

Passionate about occupational therapy

“I've never stopped practice. I have never stopped learning. I have supported many people to return to practice too because it's a shame to lose professional skills and the qualifications they have gained. We need to recognise that essential life skills are also valuable to being a successful OT, you need to be able to communicate with clients and colleagues alike, and having a full understanding of real-life issues goes a long way when working with people.

“I am passionate about occupational therapy and there are lots of career opportunities in social care. I am ready to retire now, it's time for me, but I plan to return to practise as a professional consultant and continue to draw on my experience, skills and knowledge.”

It was while working as a medical secretary in the 1970s that Sue Horseman decided she wanted to be the one diagnosing the problem, not typing it up.

Sue was in her mid-20s when she decided to train as an occupational therapist - a career that has spanned more than 40 years and enticed her to return to practice, twice.

Sue enthused: “It's the best career I could ever have chosen. I've enjoyed autonomy, I've travelled across the county, and most importantly, I've been privileged to help so many people find solutions to their problems so they can live their best life.”

As an occupational therapist for Kent County Council's social services, Sue's role involved assessing all aspects of a person's function and their home, with the solutions ranging from fitting a simple grab rail to hoists or designing and overseeing an extension to the property for wheelchair access.

She explains: “As an OT for social services, it's about working in partnership with healthcare providers, the Home Improvement Agency, district councils and builders, and most importantly, the people living with disabilities. It has meant interpreting architectural drawings, meeting construction crews and even wearing a hard hat on site! But the satisfaction is always the same, finding solutions to improve people's lives.”

During her career, Sue has taken two career breaks. The first when her children were young and the second for retirement.

Returning to practice the first time, in the late-80s, Sue answered a small newspaper advert looking for OTs to work a few hours a week - it was the stepping stone she needed to get her career back on track.

Don't be scared to return to practice 

Sue held a variety of practice and management roles and more than 25 years later, she retired from KCC as assistant director older people and people with disabilities transformation but was enticed out of retirement after just six weeks. 

Since then, Sue has been the assessor for the portfolios of work produced by OTs for career progression. She has also worked as a consultant on several projects including OT integration between KCC and the NHS, and developing competency frameworks for qualified and unqualified staff, using her vast knowledge of occupational therapy, industry standards, operating frameworks and best practice. 

Sue said: “If you're considering returning to practice, don't be scared. Your professional skills do not go away just because you've had a break in service. Plus, you will have gained life skills, and these are transferrable skills which shouldn't be underestimated.”