Helen Vowles
BSc (Hons) OT
Specialisms
- Complex orthopaedic injuries.
- Upper and lower limb amputations.
- Joint replacements.
- Cancer.
- Palliative care.
- Chronic pain including Fibromyalgia.
- Associated neurological conditions.
- Associated mental health.
- Associated visual impairment.
- Associated cognitive impairment.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at October 2020, I am engaged in the role of Senior Occupational Therapist for South Gloucestershire Council, for an average of 90 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Helen is a highly experienced Community Occupational Therapist who specialises in working with adults who have significant physical disability. In her role as a Senior Practitioner, Helen works with only the most complex clients and supports their ongoing manual handling, equipment and care needs.
She has diverse experience, but has specific knowledge in the treatment of orthopaedics, amputation, joint replacements and pain related to the aforementioned conditions. She regularly works with clients who present with significant comorbidities which would include mental health issues, neurological conditions, cardiac rheumatological conditions, pain and fatigue, visual and cognitive impairment.
Helen has a high level of competency in considering moving and handling issues, mental capacity and cognitive issues in relation to other injuries or disabilities. She also regularly provides end of life support to clients and their families.
Employment Profile
Helen is a highly experienced Community Occupational Therapist who has over 14 years’ experience in supporting those with disability in the community. Beginning her career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2002, Helen has progressed to her current role of Senior Occupational Therapist.
She has responsibility for supporting the most complex of clients day-to-day, whilst mentoring and supervising a team of Occupational Therapists in the community. She has accrued experience in private sector Occupational Therapy, supporting self-funders by completing independent occupational therapy assessments, and identifying specific equipment and adaptation needs.
She has gained a multitude of experience in assessing for and managing care packages in the community and often conducts joint working with Social Workers and other Allied Health Professionals. This assessment work is conducted in the community with all interventions implemented in the injured individuals own home. She will complete a verbal and observational assessment looking at full health and function including an environmental assessment. She will then produce a plan allowing for recommendations to increase independence and personal care needs, detailing the volume of care and the frequency of visits.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, First Class Honours, University of the West of England (2007).
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- MSc module, Practice Learning and Student Support, University of the West of England (2017).
- APPLE accreditation (2017).
- Royal College Occupational Therapists. (RCOT).
- RSA Certificate in Counselling Skills (1989).
- Moving and Handling Trainers Certificate, RCOT accredited course (reaccredited July 2020).
Career History
Present
Care Expert
Jacqueline Webb & Co Ltd
2020-Present
Senior Practitioner – Community Occupational Therapy
South Gloucestershire Council
2019-2020
Advanced Practitioner – Community Occupational Therapy
South Gloucestershire Council
2019
Social Care Occupational Therapy Team Manager
Virgin Care
2018-2019
Locum Occupational Therapist
South Gloucestershire Council
2018
Locum Occupational Therapist
North Somerset Council
2017-2018
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
We Care and Repair
2017
Community Occupational Therapist
Sirona Care and Health
2007-2017
Community Occupational Therapist
South Gloucestershire Council
2002-2007
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Rheumatology Team, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust