Occupational Therapy Australia recently shared details of a Griffith University research study titled “Research Study: Early-career OTs transitioning to specialty practice,” led by Cara Henderson. The study explores the experiences of occupational therapists transitioning into specialty areas of practice, including both early career and experienced clinicians as more OTs move into advanced or specialised roles at different stages of their careers.
If you’re an occupational therapist working in or moving into a specialty area, this is a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to shaping future workforce development and support pathways.
While much attention has been given to the transition from university into the workforce, far less is known about what happens when clinicians move into more specialised areas such as paediatrics, mental health, neurorehabilitation, assistive technology, hand therapy, and home modifications. These transitions can be both exciting and challenging, and there is growing recognition that they are not always straightforward for either clinicians or employers.
Anecdotally, OTs transitioning into specialty roles may feel underprepared, while employers and experienced clinicians often report that additional time, training, and support are required to facilitate a successful transition. This study aims to better understand these experiences from both early career and experienced occupational therapists, with the goal of informing future support, training pathways, and workforce development.
Occupational therapists are eligible to participate if they are early in their career (two to five years of experience) or experienced clinicians (five or more years) working in a specialty area. All participants must be registered with AHPRA and currently practising in Australia.
If this is relevant to you or your team, you are encouraged to take part in the survey. Your insights will help shape how the profession supports clinicians transitioning into specialty practice in the future.
To participate, please visit: https://www151.griffith.edu.au/redcap/surveys/?s=A4A3TXA8HR4F3K7M
This article was written by Clare Jones (B Occ Thy), Director at MediRecruit.