Helen Sandell, quality manager at Keystone Case Management, speaks to NR Times about her first year with the company and why her background in occupational therapy is significant in adding further value to Keystone Case Management’s specialist service
Helen, you have been working in the case management sector for more than ten years. What is your background?
I qualified in Australia as an occupational therapist but have been working in the UK for over 30 years. My main area of clinical expertise is neuro-rehabilitation, as well as healthcare management experience.
Which occupational therapy skills would you say were highly transferable to being a case manager?
There are many, but I would say the following are key:
Clinical skills or ‘know-how’: understanding clinical conditions, such as a brain injury, and how these impact on a person’s body systems as well as on their ability to carry out their various roles and occupations, e.g. self-care and household management, or relationships, and work roles, etc.
Management skills – it goes without saying! A case manager needs to be organised and able to effectively orchestrate the people around a client, such as rehabilitation professionals, support workers or employers, as well as liaising with family members.
Practical problem solving – devising creative solutions which enhance the client’s rehabilitation and ongoing quality of life.
Communication skills – it is vital to work well as a team member, as well as being able to advocate for the client as necessary.
You’ve been working with Keystone Case Management for a year now and your role involves underpinning the day-to-day practice of Keystone’s case managers. What does this entail?
First of all, I love working with the team at Keystone! It’s exciting to be part of a friendly, supportive, dynamic and growing team where each person contributes to its ongoing development.
It’s essential that each case manager working in the community feels fully equipped and supported when working with people with complex needs and circumstances.
In short, I ensure that our case managers are made welcome, receive training, are kept up to date, and are fully informed of sector, professional and company standards. By enabling adherence to these, they can then feel confident in their day-to-day practice and know that they are delivering the best possible service to their clients.
What about the next 12 months? Any plans?
For Keystone, most definitely – so watch this space!
For myself, to get to Australia to see family and friends, and to join a choir.
- For more information about Keystone Case Management, visit here
- Keystone is currently recruiting for case managers and expert witnesses – click through for more details
