Occupational therapy support worker

You could do a college course to get into this job. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Most health and social care courses include work placements so this could be a good way of getting experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
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You can do a health care support worker intermediate apprenticeship or a senior healthcare support worker advanced apprenticeship. 

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could move into occupational therapy work through training and promotion.

You'll find it useful to get some paid or unpaid voluntary experience in a healthcare setting or a caring role with older people, or people with physical disabilities, or learning difficulties.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from work like care or health-related roles.

Employers may ask for a qualification in a health-related subject, and experience of working with people.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an occupational therapy support worker from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Health Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of psychology
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

In this role, you might:

• encourage people with mental health issues to create a daily routine
• assist children with physical disabilities to enjoy play activities
• help people who’ve had a stroke or been in an accident to adjust to their disability
• show an older person how to use equipment to help them remain living independently.
• check that equipment is in good working order and keeping a record of items in stock

You could work in an NHS or private hospital or at a client's home.