Nichola Williamson

Biography

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2003 following completion of a 4 year in-service BSc occupational therapy programme at London South Bank University. During my studies I worked as a rehabilitation assistant within an NHS inpatient elderly rehabilitation service and during the evolving Intermediate Care services. My clinical experiences has been within the NHS in London working in learning disabilities, paediatrics and community rehabilitation before specialising in intermediate care services in both inpatient and community settings. Prior to commencing this academic post, I managed a large multidisciplinary community intermediate care team supporting early hospital discharges and preventing hospital admission across three funding organisations (Acute Hospital Trust, Primary Health and Social Care provisions). During this role I undertook an introduction to management course, supervised and managed interprofessional colleagues including; Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nursing staff, social workers, social care enablement staff, rehabilitation assistants, administrative staff and local equipment service staff. In August 2012, I joined the School of Health and Social Care as a part-time member of the occupational therapy staff. At this time I remained in clinical practice, working as an Occupational Therapist for neurological charity. Since 2013, I have worked full-time at the university as a lecturer and Role Emerging Pacement tutor for occupational therapy. I have a keen interest in exploring the role of Occupational Therapists within diverse practice settings, particularly in animal assisted therapy. Providing long arm supervision for role emerging placements in a range of diverse settings offers ongoing opportunities to maintain a professional role within practice. In 2004 and 2006, I undertook voluntary internships with a not for profit dolphin therapy organisation in the Florida Keys and have a passion for the work in which these programmes provide for children and their families as well as their programme for war veterans. My clinical interests remain in community rehabilitation, hospital avoidance, falls preventaion and working with adults with neurological conditions. Since 2014, I have worked collaboratively with a local stroke charity, stroke survivors and their carers as a Masters student and academic Occupational Therapist. I completed a Masters in Health Care Practice in November 2018 and have continued to work in collaboration with the organisation with a focus towards reshaping community stroke provision for working aged adults.

Qualifications

• Master of Science in Health Care Practice Health Care Practice University of Essex, (2018)

• Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice University of Essex, (2014)

• Bachelor of Science with Honours in Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy London South Bank University, (2003)

Appointments

University of Essex

• Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex (6/8/2012 - present)