Introduction / Rationale: Previous research identifies occupational therapists working in management and leadership roles take discipline-specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes (competencies) with them, but does not identify which competencies they have or lack. A better understanding of their preparedness for managerial roles would boost occupational therapists’ confidence to apply for these roles and guide professional development planning.
Objectives: To gain insight into the management competencies occupational therapists employed as managers of publicly funded health services in New Zealand developed through their professional training and experience, and what management and leadership competencies they were least prepared for.
Methods / Approach: Data for this interpretive descriptive study were collected via semi-structured, 60-minute interviews with 12 occupational therapists in managerial and leadership positions, their position descriptions, individual performance reviews, and development plans. Inductive thematic and abductive data analysis methods were used to develop themes from the interview data and match these to competency domains of existing occupational therapy and managerial competency frameworks.
Results / Practice Implications: Occupational therapy competencies of perspective, approach, and attitude; clinical, technical, and operations skills; and culture and sector knowledge are employed in health service management and leadership roles, but occupational therapy education does not fully develop core competencies in leadership, business and administration; managing within the healthcare environment; and building self-confidence and resilience. Participants’ competency development was primarily self-directed via informal workplace learning and support from line managers and mentors.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: This knowledge supports occupational therapists in making informed decisions regarding health service management as a career option and informs employers and education providers of their professional development needs.