Each month JustOT would like to recognise one of our locums for their personal achievement and commitment to the Occupational Therapy Service!

Name: Amy Matchett

Profession: Occupational Therapist

Where are you from? New Zealand

Current Locum position? Band 6 Paediatric Community OT

What do you enjoy about your job?
I love working with children, they can be so funny and refreshing, plus you can motivate them to work on skill development by coming up with games and activities in a way that you can’t with adults (imaginative play and childish games are more likely going to be patronising than motivating with adults). I’m also really enjoying locuming over here (UK), it gives me the chance to live in different parts of the country and fit in heaps of travel between roles.

Personal achievements within your role?
I am constantly learning. Locuming has increased my confidence because you have to go in to a new job and hit the ground running, so there is no time to doubt yourself. Moving around different jobs but within the same field has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of OT’s and pick up lots of different tips on therapy, organisational skills, ways to communicate, different assessments etc.

How do you unwind from work?
Catch up with friends / go to the gym / TV / jump on the net and plan my next trip!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 items would you take?
1.) Can I take my fiancé?
2.) My surfboard
3.) A lighter to make a fire so I can cook the fresh fish I catch…with my bare hands