Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
My journey into Higher Education (HE) started in 2015 at Teesside University where I began teaching on BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy and MSc Occupational Therapy.
Throughout my time in HE, I have also been a Practice Placement Lead taking responsibility for student placements within occupational therapy. I have worked to ensure that students have a varied placement experience across mental health and physical health settings and have developed relationships with invaluable practice placement partners in both the traditional and non traditional setting.
I have taught in Switzerland as part of a teaching exchange and have facilitated international placements to the United Kingdom.
Prior to teaching I've had experience of working in both the National Health Service and the Independent sector. I initially began as an Occupational Therapist and worked my way up to become a Service Lead within Physical Services at a local NHS Trust. My practice experience is in physical health care, particularly rehabilitation and stroke care. I currently have a role as a Consultant Occupational Therapist with Neural Pathways.
Teaching and supervision
I am a Senior Lecturer on BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy.
Research
My research as part of my MA Education was 'The experiences of occupational therapy practice placement educators in supporting students on practice placement'.
My personal research interests are around practice placements, wellbeing of students and the impact of engagement in physical activity on occupational performance.
While in the NHS, I facilitated service evaluations and initiated change management projects as a result.
- Occupational Therapy
- Leadership
- Rehabilitation
- Stroke Care
Blenkin, D., & Bedding, N. (2017). Working in Partnership to Build Placement Capacity in a Competitive World. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 5(2), 116-120.
Conference Presentations
2020 Learning and Teaching Conference, Teesside University
Developing innovative patient safety inter professional education for pre- registration healthcare professionals.
2019 Three Rivers Conference, Durham
Building placement capacity to ensure sustainability and choice, whilst minimising placement related stress for staff and students.
2020 Feb Learning and Teaching Enhancement Conference
- How a Knowledge Exchange Partnership can bring graduate experience to undergraduate teaching and learning - A Case Study.
2020 March Praxis Aural Conference - How Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can serve as a bridge of learning.
- Developing innovative patient safety inter professional education for pre- registration healthcare professionals.
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