Jackie Waller
- HCPC Registered OT 15343
- Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy
- Member of COTSS-IP
Since qualifying from the Derby School of Occupational Therapy in 1987 Jackie has worked in a variety of settings. Her first 3 NHS hospital based posts enabled her to gain an understanding of a wide range of conditions and treatment programmes within a busy, acute setting. Throughout all three roles she participated in the supervision of OT students.
Jackie moved to work for Birmingham City Council in 1990. This provided an opportunity to learn about a vast array of standard and specialist equipment in terms of the criteria for assessment, provision and installation. This included the need to be mindful of budgetary constraints and nurtured sound clinical reasoning to justify any recommendations. This also applied to the assessment and recommendation of adaptations for both private and public sector housing. The latter involved close liaison with the housing and planning departments and a knowledge of the Disabled Facility Grant system. Jackie was responsible for a case load of up to 70 clients, mainly complex neurological cases. She also participated in service development, setting up an evidence based practice group and assisted to reintroduce, and supervise, students placements back to the team.
Working with neurological cases nurtured an interest in neurology and in 2001 Jackie was given the opportunity to work at the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust. This involved working within a multidisciplinary team to assess and implement treatment programmes to clients with severe behavioural, cognitive and physical impairments following brain injury. This was carried out both within the residential unit and the local community.
Working at the Trust also involved delivering treatment programmes to support staff; the recruitment and supervision of OT assistants and OT student supervision. Jackie was also given the opportunity to work with a leading psychologist within the field of behavioural rehabilitation to co-write a book chapter on the rehabilitation of everyday skills in the context of executive disorders. The book – The Rehabilitation Of Executive – Disorders, A Guide to Theory and Practice was published by Oxford University Press.
In 2008 Jackie moved into independent practice and accepted work as an Associate Rehabilitation Manager for Speedwell Health between 2008 and 2010. This involved the assessment and implementation of rehabilitation management programmes for clients with catastrophic injuries.
Jackie continues to work in independent practice working in a variety of setting and for a number of organisations including:
Voyage Care: Jackie provides input to three Voyage units in the Midlands, assessing functional needs, providing a goal lead therapy programme and working with the wider team to implement and monitor this to clients with acquired brain injury.
Various case management companies and legal firms: to assess and treat clients with catastrophic injury both in their own homes and within the community, both on an individual basis and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. This role often involves the assessment of major adaptation / equipment requirements and working with those to provide it.
This work has led to an understanding of the litigation process in terms of the treatment and documentation required to assist clients to achieve their potential.
Birmingham and Solihull CCG: carrying out OT assessments to enable elderly clients in emergency care home placement to return home. This involves equipment provision and liaison with local authority services for adaptation and care requirements.
Bournville Village Trust: carrying out assessment for shower provision as part of the Trust’s annual housing improvement programme.
Jackie also supervises and mentors fellow occupational therapists and regularly has potential OT students to shadow her work.