Occupational Therapists' Career Planning, Development, and Progress: An Australian Mental Health Perspective

Introduction: Mental health occupational therapy is an expanding workforce due to the increasing demand for services in many countries, including Australia. Due to the nature of the role, therapists can experience unique challenges that impact retention and wellbeing, consequently affecting career progression. It is, therefore, important to understand career planning and development for mental health occupational therapists to ensure their professional needs are addressed, which would also benefit service sustainability. This study is aimed at understanding the perspectives of mental health occupational therapists within the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District on career planning, development, and progression. This health district spans urban and regional areas and has recently introduced a new career framework underpinned by Benner's career planning model. The practical implications of this study are significant, as the insights gained will inform the development of strategies and policies that support the career progression and wellbeing of mental health occupational therapists, ultimately enhancing the quality and sustainability of service provision in this field. Method: In this qualitative descriptive study, seven occupational therapists shared their perspectives through semistructured interviews. The data were transcribed verbatim, and an inductive qualitative content analysis was employed. Results: Three categories and seven subcategories were identified. The health district career framework was found to be beneficial to support career planning and development, with a few adjustments suggested by participants. Conclusion: Having a career framework offers a structured approach to support career planning, development, and progression for mental health occupational therapists.