My awareness of RCOT’s Professional standards dates to when I was a pre-registration student. I typically used them to evidence claims about the behaviours, values and attributes of occupational therapists. I saw the Professional standards as a reference but have since learnt to engage with the publication as a tool to invigorate my practice and reassure me in times of professional self-doubt.
I am now the Professional Development Lead for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) at East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT). I am responsible for:
- practice-based learning (PBL) facilitation;
- developing strategy and processes for the continuing professional development needs of AHPs; and
- leading the North East London AHP Faculty’s representation on an Integrated Care System (ICS) wide AHP Career Ambassador Project.
It is in this role that I have been using RCOT's new Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics. Here are some of the ways my practice has grown from application of the new Standards (RCOT 2021).
Welfare and Autonomy
Having recently transitioned from a predominantly patient-focused role to a more workforce-focused role, the Standards have supported me to work with duty of care to the AHP learners undertaking PBL placements at ELFT. This has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic where there has been much disconnection and disruption to ways of working.
The Standards have encouraged me to place emphasis on finding new ways of carrying out traditional practices e.g. pre-placement visits, assessments of learning and making learners feel part of the PBL setting(s).
Empowered by the Standards, I have autonomously implemented new ways of working in the interest of learners, educators and service-users having positive experiences of the PBL placement. Central to my practice has been the commitment to empowering people to make informed choices about newer ways of working. I have learnt to own my responsibility to provide clear and thorough information so that others can make informed choices about matters that affect their life experiences.
Service Provision
The Standards have instilled in me the significance of justifying my decisions and actions as a practitioner. This year, I have drawn on the Standards to improve my relationship with my line manager, who is an AHP, but not an occupational therapist.
I was able to convey, using the language in section 4.2. (p14, RCOT 2021), that in performance reviews, I responded better when my rationale was questioned rather than assumed. I agreed that where I am unable to provide sound rationale for my work, perhaps I should re-evaluate my practice. Consequently, I actively pause to think about and articulate the reasons for my actions before carrying them out. At times, this has saved me from making rash decisions that could have led to poorer outcomes. A question I often ask myself is, “What are you hoping to achieve?” in an effort to work objectively when needed.
Professionalism
The Standards have mostly reinforced my practice in this area and developed my confidence to be flexible in how I demonstrate my professionalism. By this, I mean that I have developed a confidence to apply professional boundaries as you would a garden fence. In safer neighbourhoods, low garden fences may be acceptable; in others, a higher fence may be needed to protect both parties living on either side of the fence.
Standard 5.6.4 (p23, RCOT 2021) is one that guides me daily in my practice. Reflecting on the times when I have not lived up to this standard, I have often communicated in haste. I am getting better at pausing when communicating during busy periods and when multitasking - i.e. when I am most likely to respond in a manner that may not land well with the intended, esteemed recipient.
Fitness to Practice
The Standards remind me that it is okay to say, “I don’t know” and “please teach me” when I should. I now rarely hesitate to seek out learning that addresses gaps in my knowledge and enriches my practice. This attitude has allowed me to maximise performance reviews and demonstrate my commitment to lifelong learning.
My willingness to seek help and support when I need it has helped me build reciprocated, productive relationships with colleagues and those who use our services. I have also gained good insight into how corporate departments within health and social care organisations work by being curious. Understanding the back-office operations of ELFT has helped me implement changes in supervision practices in a way that aligns with the RCOT Standards, my employer’s policies and governance processes.
Looking ahead, I will continue to use the Standards to reinvigorate my commitment to the core principles of our beloved profession. I also firmly believe that the Standards can help us harness the power that lies in our AHP identity and use this to propel both AHP and Occupational Therapy agendas.
English and Welsh versions of the new edition of the Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics are available for free public download with four audit tools to help monitor, inform and re-evaluate practice.
References:
Royal College of Occupational Therapists (2021) Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics. London: RCOT.
Suhailah Mohamed is a registered occupational therapist and the Professional Development Lead for Allied Health Professionals (AHP) at East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT). Suhailah is chair of the RCOT London regional group.