Connect with a Colleague: Nicole Crampton

Nicole Crampton - Hiking McBride Peak

Why did you choose occupational therapy as a career?

I chose occupational therapy as a career as it offers multiple different career opportunities (from womb to tomb) in numerous clinical areas (pediatrics, geriatrics, specialty areas), and promotes engagement and wellbeing in everyday life. Out of all the professions, OT was the career that spoke to me due to its holistic approach, meaningful engagement, and that it allows the clinician to be creative, to problem solve, and to think outside the box. 

What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?

Practice Networks that provide a community of practice for OTs across the north –public and private. It is a great opportunity to share ideas, problem solve, and network across different areas. Thank you for facilitating this networking.

Where have you worked over your career? Where do you work now?

I completed my BSc in Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University College in Scotland in 2002, which led to 5 years of working as an occupational therapist in the United Kingdom. I worked in a physical medical basic grade rotation and then as a locum at various hospitals throughout London prior to moving back to Canada in 2007. Since moving back to Prince George, I have been able to work as a generalist OT in a variety of areas, including rehabilitation (the only rehab unit in the north), surgical, acute medical, and elective surgeries, and have been exposed to so many specialty services (burns, splinting, complex seating, dysphagia). I also had the opportunity to be the Acting Chief Occupational Therapist from 2012-2014, and then took up the Chief Occupational Therapist role in 2017.

What has been your most interesting job?

The Chief Occupational Therapist role is a unique position that includes 0.5 FTE clinical and 0.5 FTE managerial. It supports mentorship amongst the team, exposes you to clinical realities that OTs face on the floors, and encourages teamwork across the hospital. The UHNBC OTs are hired as generalists and because of this, the OT’s can cover any area of the hospital and support each other throughout rotations and in developing clinical skills.

What do you find most challenging about working as an OT?

Supply and demand of occupational therapists is the most challenging aspect of the OT profession. Northern Health is the largest geographical health authority (the size of France), and comprises 6% of the population and only 3% of the OTs provincially. Because it is such a large geographical region with less population density, the role of the OT is very broad and the expectations for rural therapists may be different than in larger centres. UBC has set up an MOT program at the University Hospital of Northern BC starting in 2020/2021, with 8 cohort students focusing on the north, and in 2022 are opening up an in-person program for 16 students. There is so much opportunity in the north – I am hopeful that the new program at UNBC will expose people to the opportunities and adventures available in the north.

What do you think will change/shape practice over the next five years?

With the new MOT program opening up at UNBC, the department is anticipating more student placements, more opportunities with student lead clinics, and new innovative programs being developed to meet the students’ needs/clinical needs. It is a very exciting time in the north to be an OT and part of this new opportunity. 

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