Jemma​ ​Thomas Occupational​ ​Therapist

01550​ ​537​ ​537

BSc​ ​Hons​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapy ​​

Conditions Acquired​ ​Brain​ ​Injury Traumatic​ ​&​ ​catastrophic Injuries Progressive​ ​neurological conditions Elderly​ ​Care

Specialist​ ​skills

Cognitive​ ​rehabilitation Aids​ ​&​ ​Equipment Assistive​ ​Technology Manual​ ​Handling Assessments

Services Assessments,​ ​Reports, Cognitive​ ​& Physical​ ​Rehabilitation Training

Regulation HCPC:​ ​OT45048 BAOT:​ ​BT0229089 Find​ ​an​ ​OT​ ​... Find​ ​an​ ​OT​ ​using​ ​our interactive​ ​map​ ​...

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Jemma​ ​joined​ ​The​ ​OT​ ​Centre​ ​in​ ​October​ ​2013 bringing​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range​ ​of​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​expertise​ ​in​ ​the field​ ​of​ ​neurorehabilitation. Jemma​ ​is​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​professional​ ​and​ ​enthusiastic Occupational​ ​Therapist​ ​who​ ​has​ ​focused​ ​her clinical​ ​practise​ ​to​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​neurological rehabilitation.​ ​ ​She​ ​has​ ​a​ ​friendly​ ​and​ ​caring approach,​ ​quickly​ ​building​ ​a​ ​rapport​ ​with​ ​clients, Case​ ​Managers​ ​and​ ​the​ ​multidisciplinary​ ​team. Jemma​ ​has​ ​considerable​ ​experience​ ​working​ ​with complex​ ​neurological​ ​conditions​ ​including traumatic​ ​brain​ ​injury​ ​and​ ​stroke,​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​a range​ ​of​ ​specialist​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​interventions including​ ​provision​ ​of​ ​specialist​ ​equipment,​ ​home adaptations,​ ​goal​ ​centred​ ​treatment​ ​plans​ ​and education​ ​and​ ​training​ ​to​ ​carers​ ​and​ ​support​ ​staff. True​ ​to​ ​her​ ​profession,​ ​Jemma​ ​is​ ​an​ ​holistic​ ​and client​ ​centred​ ​practitioner​ ​who​ ​works​ ​with​ ​the client’s​ ​goals​ ​at​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​interventions, offering​ ​a​ ​flexible​ ​and​ ​creative​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​the assessment​ ​and​ ​rehabilitation​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​each client.​ ​With​ ​an​ ​adaptive​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​her​ ​own communication,​ ​Jemma​ ​is​ ​effective​ ​in​ ​overcoming barriers​ ​to​ ​communication​ ​such​ ​as​ ​dysphasia, dysarthria​ ​and​ ​cognition.​ ​Using​ ​up​ ​to​ ​date, evidence​ ​based​ ​practice​ ​to​ ​ ​underpin​ ​her​ ​practice, Jemma​ ​has​ ​utilised​ ​modern​ ​technologies​ ​to support​ ​compensatory​ ​strategies​ ​for​ ​cognitive impairments​ ​such​ ​as​ ​memory.

Jemma​ ​qualified​ ​as​ ​an​ ​Occupational Therapist​ ​in​ ​2006​ ​from​ ​Cardiff University​ ​with​ ​a​ ​BSc​ ​(hons)​ ​in Occupational​ ​Therapy. She​ ​developed​ ​a​ ​passion​ ​for neurological​ ​rehabilitation​ ​whilst working​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community​ ​Traumatic Brain​ ​Injury​ ​team​ ​in​ ​Swansea​ ​and​ ​went on​ ​to​ ​consolidate​ ​her​ ​experience​ ​in various​ ​neurology​ ​specialty​ ​settings. Jemma​ ​is​ ​a​ ​proficient​ ​and​ ​thoroughly organised​ ​OT,​ ​working​ ​to​ ​a​ ​consistently high​ ​standard.​ ​She​ ​demonstrates empathy,​ ​care​ ​and​ ​sensitivity​ ​to​ ​clients and​ ​families​ ​and​ ​is​ ​motivated​ ​and committed​ ​to​ ​providing​ ​a​ ​quality service.​ ​She​ ​is​ ​registered​ ​with​ ​the Health​ ​Professions​ ​Council​ ​and​ ​is​ ​a member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​British​ ​Association​ ​of Occupational​ ​Therapists​ ​and​ ​College​ ​of Occupational​ ​Therapists​ ​Specialist section​ ​in​ ​Neurological​ ​Practice.

Having​ ​worked​ ​in​ ​the​ ​private​ ​sector​ ​as​ ​a​ ​Case Manager,​ ​Jemma​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​specialised rehabilitation​ ​approach,​ ​demonstrates​ ​an awareness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​litigation​ ​process​ ​and​ ​an empathy​ ​to​ ​the​ ​complexity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​future​ ​provision to​ ​clients​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families​ ​living​ ​with​ ​life changing​ ​conditions. Jemma​ ​has​ ​excellent​ ​communication​ ​skills, demonstrated​ ​verbally​ ​and​ ​in​ ​her​ ​written​ ​reports, and​ ​has​ ​extensive​ ​experience​ ​liaising​ ​with​ ​care providers​ ​within​ ​statutory​ ​and​ ​private​ ​sectors.

Find​ ​out​ ​more​ ​about​ ​our​ ​team www.theotcentre.co.uk/team

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EDUCATION​ ​&​ ​PROFESSIONAL​ ​QUALIFICATIONS Cardiff​ ​University BSc​ ​(Hons)​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapy

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2006

EMPLOYMENT​ ​HISTORY November​ ​2013​ ​–​ ​Today:

Occupational​ ​Therapist,​ ​The​ ​OT​ ​Centre

The​ ​OT​ ​Centre​ ​was​ ​established​ ​in​ ​June​ ​2010.​ ​Initially​ ​focusing​ ​on​ ​neuro-rehabilitation​ ​to​ ​clients​ ​with​ ​acquired​ ​brain​ ​injury,​ ​the​ ​company’s​ ​services have​ ​grown​ ​to​ ​include​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​aids​ ​&​ ​equipment,​ ​environmental​ ​access,​ ​seating​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​training​ ​to​ ​carers​ ​and​ ​families,​ ​alongside functional​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​rehabilitation​ ​packages​ ​to​ ​individuals​ ​with​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​impairments. I​ ​work​ ​with​ ​Case​ ​Managers,​ ​Solicitors​ ​and​ ​health​ ​professionals​ ​in​ ​the​ ​statutory​ ​and​ ​independent​ ​sectors​ ​within​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of personal​ ​injury​ ​claims​ ​and​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​consolidate​ ​my​ ​specialist​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​neurological​ ​rehabilitation. 2011​ ​–​ ​Present: Post​ ​Held:

Singleton​ ​Hospital,​ ​Swansea ABMU​ ​Health​ ​Board Specialist​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapist Stroke​ ​rehabilitation​ ​Unit

Assessing​ ​clients​ ​following​ ​a​ ​stroke​ ​and​ ​prescribing​ ​rehabilitation​ ​treatment​ ​plans.​ ​ ​I​ ​am​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​identifying​ ​impairments​ ​in​ ​cognition, perception,​ ​visual​ ​impairments,​ ​physical​ ​difficulties​ ​and​ ​emotional​ ​problems​ ​within​ ​a​ ​specified​ ​time​ ​to​ ​comply​ ​national​ ​standards.​ ​ ​I​ ​complete​ ​goal setting​ ​with​ ​clients​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​a​ ​holistic​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​interventions.​ ​My​ ​role​ ​involves​ ​facilitating​ ​discharge​ ​planning​ ​from​ ​the​ ​acute​ ​setting;​ ​routinely conducting​ ​home​ ​visits,​ ​identifying​ ​complex​ ​equipment​ ​needs,​ ​providing​ ​training​ ​for​ ​families​ ​and​ ​carers​ ​on​ ​manual​ ​handling​ ​procedures. Completing​ ​assessments​ ​with​ ​fellow​ ​team​ ​members,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​physiotherapists,​ ​speech​ ​therapists​ ​as​ ​appropriate.​ ​ ​I​ ​supervise​ ​occupational​ ​therapy support​ ​staff,​ ​delegating​ ​tasks​ ​and​ ​managing​ ​their​ ​professional​ ​development.​ ​ ​Using​ ​ ​excellent​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​overcome​ ​barriers​ ​in​ ​communication​ ​i.e. aphasia,​ ​confusion,​ ​dysarthria.​ ​Writing​ ​comprehensive​ ​reports​ ​for​ ​referral​ ​onto​ ​external​ ​agencies​ ​and​ ​to​ ​support​ ​ongoing​ ​funding​ ​applications​ ​for care. February​ ​2010​ ​-​ ​December​ ​2010: Post​ ​Held:

Brain​ ​Injury​ ​Wales​ ​Ltd,​ ​Porthcawl Private​ ​Case​ ​Manager​ ​/​ ​Specialist​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapist

As​ ​case​ ​manager​ ​of​ ​a​ ​small​ ​caseload;​ ​I​ ​provided​ ​specialist​ ​initial​ ​assessments​ ​of​ ​clients​ ​and​ ​update​ ​reports​ ​to​ ​solicitors.​ ​Identifying​ ​ongoing rehabilitation​ ​and​ ​future​ ​care​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​service​ ​users​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families.​ ​Liaising​ ​with​ ​external​ ​agencies​ ​including​ ​payroll​ ​for​ ​management​ ​of employment​ ​issues​ ​and​ ​appointed​ ​deputies.​ ​ ​Coordinating​ ​carers​ ​and​ ​supporting​ ​clients​ ​accessing​ ​services​ ​within​ ​the​ ​NHS​ ​and​ ​private​ ​sector. I​ ​also​ ​acted​ ​a​ ​role​ ​of​ ​Specialist​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapist;​ ​providing​ ​advice​ ​on​ ​housing​ ​adaptations,​ ​provision​ ​of​ ​specialist​ ​seating​ ​and​ ​functional rehabilitation​ ​in​ ​clients​ ​own​ ​home. 2009​ ​-​ ​2011: Post​ ​Held:

Morriston​ ​Hospital​ ​/​ ​Neath​ ​Port​ ​Talbot​ ​Hospital,​ ​Swansea ABMU​ ​Health​ ​Board Specialist​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapist Neuro​ ​–​ ​Rehabilitation​ ​Unit

Working​ ​with​ ​young​ ​adults​ ​from​ ​17​ ​years​ ​of​ ​age​ ​onwards​ ​with​ ​complex​ ​neurological​ ​conditions​ ​and​ ​severe​ ​traumatic​ ​brain​ ​injuries;​ ​offering​ ​client centred​ ​rehabilitation​ ​within​ ​the​ ​in-patient​ ​setting,​ ​community​ ​and​ ​within​ ​clients’​ ​own​ ​home​ ​to​ ​regain​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​independence​ ​in​ ​activities of​ ​daily​ ​living.​ ​Working​ ​as​ ​an​ ​integral​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​intra-disciplinary​ ​team​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​client​ ​centred​ ​goals,​ ​appropriate​ ​to​ ​age​ ​range.​ ​Developing strategies​ ​to​ ​overcome​ ​physical,​ ​cognitive​ ​and​ ​perceptual​ ​difficulties​ ​including​ ​praxis​ ​and​ ​unilateral​ ​spatial​ ​neglect.​ ​Using​ ​the​ ​Functional Independence​ ​Measure/​ ​Functional​ ​Assessment​ ​Measure​ ​(FIM/FAM)​ ​outcome​ ​measure​ ​to​ ​record​ ​performance.​ ​ ​Working​ ​with​ ​statutory​ ​services​ ​in creating​ ​tailored​ ​client​ ​centred​ ​care​ ​packages​ ​for​ ​community​ ​living.​ ​I​ ​use​ ​evidence​ ​based​ ​and​ ​creative​ ​strategies​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​clients​ ​to​ ​compensate​ ​for problems​ ​with​ ​memory,​ ​attention​ ​and​ ​executive​ ​functioning. 2008-2009: Post​ ​Held:

Morriston​ ​Hospital,​ ​Swansea ABMU​ ​Health​ ​Board Specialist​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapist Community​ ​Traumatic​ ​Brain​ ​Injury​ ​Team​ ​&​ ​Neuro-​ ​Surgery

Working​ ​with​ ​clients​ ​following​ ​a​ ​brain​ ​injury​ ​within​ ​the​ ​community​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​their​ ​new​ ​life​ ​expectations​ ​and​ ​challenges.​ ​Facilitating​ ​clients​ ​to identify​ ​goals,​ ​and​ ​using​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​approaches​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​clients​ ​and​ ​maximise​ ​their​ ​level​ ​of​ ​independence​ ​and​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​self.​ ​Overcoming barriers​ ​typically​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​this​ ​population​ ​group​ ​such​ ​as​ ​low​ ​motivation​ ​&​ ​initiation.​ ​Carrying​ ​out​ ​graded​ ​intervention​ ​plans​ ​and​ ​developing strategies​ ​to​ ​overcome​ ​cognitive​ ​impairments​ ​such​ ​as​ ​memory​ ​and​ ​concentration.​ ​Using​ ​modern​ ​technology,​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​organisational​ ​skills​ ​and executive​ ​functions.​ ​ ​Rehabilitation​ ​activities​ ​may​ ​include​ ​activities​ ​around​ ​personal​ ​care,​ ​meal​ ​preparation,​ ​to​ ​household​ ​management​ ​and community​ ​skills​ ​such​ ​as​ ​orientation,​ ​money​ ​management,​ ​road​ ​safety​ ​and​ ​using​ ​public​ ​transport.​ ​Also,​ ​assisting​ ​clients​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​leisure​ ​and vocational​ ​opportunities.​ ​Working​ ​as​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​a​ ​multi-professional​ ​team,​ ​contributing​ ​to​ ​team​ ​meetings​ ​and​ ​service​ ​development​ ​and​ ​training.

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2005​ ​–​ ​2008: Post​ ​Held:

Singleton​ ​/​ ​Morriston​ ​/​ ​Hill​ ​House​ ​Hospital,​ ​Swansea ABMU​ ​Health​ ​Board Occupational​ ​Therapist General​ ​rotational​ ​post

Working​ ​with​ ​clients​ ​within​ ​clinical​ ​settings​ ​of​ ​elderly​ ​care,​ ​general​ ​medicine,​ ​trauma​ ​and​ ​orthopaedics,​ ​cardiac​ ​rehabilitation​ ​and​ ​in​ ​the community​ ​reablement​ ​team.​ ​Completing​ ​functional​ ​assessments​ ​and​ ​promoting​ ​independence;​ ​facilitating​ ​discharges​ ​from​ ​hospital​ ​to​ ​home​ ​with use​ ​of​ ​adaptive​ ​equipment​ ​and​ ​social​ ​care​ ​packages.​ ​Completing​ ​complex​ ​manual​ ​handling​ ​plans,​ ​training​ ​formal​ ​and​ ​informal​ ​carers. PERSONAL​ ​PROFILE I​ ​live​ ​in​ ​south​ ​wales​ ​with​ ​my​ ​husband​ ​and​ ​son.​ ​Having​ ​keen​ ​interests​ ​in​ ​the​ ​outdoors​ ​and​ ​sports,​ ​I​ ​spend​ ​much​ ​of​ ​my​ ​ ​free​ ​time​ ​either​ ​in​ ​the​ ​gym​ ​or going​ ​for​ ​walks​ ​with​ ​my​ ​family​ ​and​ ​pet​ ​dog. I​ ​am​ ​registered​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Health​ ​Professions​ ​Council​ ​and​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​British​ ​Association​ ​of​ ​Occupational​ ​Therapists​ ​and​ ​College​ ​of Occupational​ ​Therapists​ ​Specialist​ ​section​ ​in​ ​Neurological​ ​Practice. REFEREES References​ ​are​ ​available​ ​on​ ​request.

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