A Day in the Life of Nyasha – Occupational Therapist at AFG

Working as an Occupational Therapist in one of AFG’s mental health rehabilitation hospitals is both dynamic and deeply rewarding. Every day is unique, offering opportunities to help patients build skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose as they navigate their journey toward recovery. Here’s a look at what a typical day involves for me:

7:45 AM: Morning Handover

My day kicks off with the handover session at 7:45. This is a crucial start to the morning, as it sets the tone for the day ahead. During handover, I discuss any updates I may have on a patient’s treatment plan, including any changes in their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) or progress on their goals. This is also my chance to share details about any therapeutic groups and group or individual activities planned for the day, as well as to coordinate which staff members will lead various groups that I won’t be facilitating.

8:30 AM: Setting Up and Catching Up

After handover, I make myself a drink (usually just hot water) and offer my colleagues a brew. Once settled in, I take a few minutes to check emails and review the patient activity logs from the previous day to ensure they are complete. I also check Viva Engage, AFG’s internal communications platform, where I comment on, like, and share posts highlighting inspirational achievements across AFG.

9:15 AM: Morning Meeting Preparation

I then work with the allocated support staff who will be facilitating the morning meeting to write the agenda and to prompt the patients to attend. This meeting allows us to reinforce daily goals and talk about the groups and activities planned for their day. Patients and staff also give their mood rating and we share on how we can support each other throughout the day. We always round up our meetings on a light note with a riddle or joke. Afterward, we may go for a walk to get some steps in, or I start preparing for the afternoon therapeutic group session.

12:00 PM: Lunch Break

Around midday, I take a break for lunch. This is a chance to recharge and reflect on the morning’s activities.

1:00 PM: Afternoon Therapeutic Group Session

I facilitate the therapy group session, which could be focuses on various topics to prepare patients to transition from hospital, this could be on coping with skills for stress management or develop their skills which improve their life quality. Afterward, I gather feedback from each patient, as their input is valuable for shaping future sessions.

2:30 PM: Individual Therapeutic Sessions

In the afternoon, I set aside time for individual therapeutic sessions. Today, for example, I’m working with a patient who is managing anxiety around moving on from the hospital. We discuss specific coping strategies and rehearse steps he can take to feel more prepared for this change. These one-on-one sessions are particularly rewarding, as I see firsthand the progress patients are making toward their personal goals.

3:30 PM: Supporting with Practical Tasks

As the day winds down, I often support patients with practical tasks that enhance their independence. This could include tasks like bidding for a flat, creating a weekly meal planner, or teaching someone how to navigate a smartphone. Every day brings something different.

4:30 PM: Wrapping Up and End-of-Day Handover

In the final part of my day, I wrap up any unfinished documentation, plan upcoming activities, and make notes on observations from today’s sessions. I often also post any significant achievements or highlights of the day on Viva Engage. Before I leave, I speak to the nurse in charge to pass along any essential updates on patients who attended group sessions or had one-on-one sessions with me. It’s also an opportunity to communicate any observations that may inform patient care for the evening shift.

Reflecting on the Day

Each day ends with a moment of reflection, feeling grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in patients’ lives. Working alongside them toward greater independence and wellbeing is incredibly fulfilling, and even the small milestones achieved each day build toward meaningful, lasting change.

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