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Specialist Sections committee vacancies 2022

Applications are now closed.  

Thank you to everyone who has applied to volunteer with their Specialist Section’s committee – we’ll be in touch with you in September 2022.  

If you have any questions, you can contact specialistsectionadmin@rcot.co.uk.

Our Specialist Sections are branches of RCOT. They act as communities of practice for our members across the UK. Specialist Sections provides professional direction and leadership for occupational therapists working in a specialist area of practice. They provide information and networking opportunities and promote good practice. Our members lead our Specialist Sections as volunteers in committees. Each committee volunteer is a Specialist Section member.

We recognise that each of us is unique and our committees are formed of members from rich diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, interests and localities. We recognise and appreciate the positive impact that diversity brings to our branch committees, organisation and profession. Committees should reflect our members and the communities we serve. Diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our Specialist Sections’ activities.

Why volunteer on a Specialist Section committee?

You’ll learn new skills and grow personally and professionally. Your volunteering counts towards your CPD as you can develop across the pillars and levels of our Career development framework. And you’ll gain leadership experience you can then use in your career, as you lead your Specialist Section.

You’ll support your specialist community of OTs to thrive by providing best practice, networking, development, learning and funding opportunities. And meet new people, expanding your professional network.

As a volunteer, you’ll:

  • Be an ambassador of our profession both within our OT community and the public.
  • Be part of your local and national professional community.
  • Gain new skills and strengthen the ones you already have – with support, training and guidance.
  • Contribute to developing our profession’s professional knowledge, skills, research and practice.
  • Discuss, network and share with fellow occupational therapists in your region.
  • Maintain and develop continued personal and professional CPD.
  • Get involved in RCOT’s work.
  • Connect with our country boards and other Specialist Sections and our regions.
  • Take part in our activities – such as the RCOT Annual Conference and promoting OT careers.

Roles on a Specialist Section committee

Each Specialist Section committee has 12 roles. As Specialist Sections focus on clinical and/or specialist areas of practice, the roles vary depending on each Specialist Section’s needs and activities.

  • Chair – lead the Specialist Section committee by chairing meetings and ensuring it fulfils its core business aims and responsibilities in line with our governance requirements. Work collaboratively with other committee volunteers and be RCOT’s key contact.
  • Vice Chair – support the Chair and committee to ensure that the Specialist Section fulfils its core business aims and responsibilities. Deputise for the Chair when needed.
  • Secretary – support managing the committee through communication such as collating and circulating meeting papers including minutes to the committee and RCOT.
  • Treasurer – ensure the Specialist Section’s finances comply with current RCOT requirements and be the key contact for finances.
  • Newsletter Editor – produce a monthly newsletter for Specialist Section members, working with committee volunteers and Specialist Section members.
  • Research and Development Lead – be responsible for leading and supporting research and development within the Specialist Section; includes leading on research and development enquiries.
  • Communications Lead – look after and update the Specialist Section’s webpages and social media, including being a key contact for members via social media.
  • Events and CPD lead – lead, facilitate, support and have an overview of Specialist Section events and CPD offerings. An understanding of the RCOT Career Development Framework to support learning is essential in this role.
  • Clinical Forum Lead – be a lead representative for clinical forums within the Specialist Section and act as a link between the forum and committee. This role is only for Specialist Sections that have clinical forums.
  • UK Nations/Regional Lead – be a lead representative for the UK nations and regions within the Specialist Section and act as a link between the nation/region representatives and committee. This role may vary depending on each Specialist Section’s needs.

In addition to the above ten roles, the committee can have two additional members in roles to support their work. 

Co-opted members

Each committee can have up to six co-opted members for up to one year. Co-opted members represent views from different membership groups such as new graduates, areas of the profession like higher education institutions, or local groups. 

You’ll bring specific expertise and/or skills and help your committee gain expert knowledge and build links with members and the profession. You may support your Specialist Section’s usual activities and events or specific projects.