Nicole Marie Kane

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2017 from Queen Margaret University, having completed the Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons). I initially undertook an internship with Alzheimer Scotland, exploring the meaningful occupations and routines of people living with dementia. I subsequently completed both acute and community rotations as a band 5 with NHS Forth Valley and Lanarkshire.

In 2019, I developed a passion for community practice and joined NHS Lothian as a band 6 community Occupational Therapist. In 2022, I joined RCOT as Policy and Public Affairs Lead - Scotland which allowed me the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with occupational therapists across the UK. I had the opportunity to represent the profession and to promote the interests of the profession and the occupational therapy workforce in the Scottish Parliament and with key stakeholders and politicians.

I was a member of the Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS) and led on the revision of Scotland's AHP Compendium (2023). In 2023, I gained a position as clinical lead for a developing service within NHS Forth Valley aimed at preventing admissions and supporting early hospital discharge.

I undertook an Advancing Practice in Occupational Therapy MSc in 2021, and in 2023, I commenced my final thesis. Having taken a particular interest in the well-being and sustainability of the workforce throughout all my previous positions, I decided to focus my thesis on the factors influencing the recruitment and retention of AHPs across the UK. This remains an area of interest, and I hope to further develop this research.

I commenced my role as a lecturer in Occupational Therapy at QMU in August 2024.

Affiliations (including memberships) to other organisations:

• Member of HCPC
• Member of RCOT
• Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy