Building a portfolio career in occupational therapy
A portfolio career is defined as‘ working multiple roles or jobs and for different employers( including yourself) at the same time or across time’( Tempest 2026).
It is not necessarily about having as many roles as possible, but about building a career that gives you enough meaning, sustainability and room to practise in a way that stays true to you and to the people you support.
This article is primarily for occupational therapists considering their first steps beyond statutory employment, although the themes will resonate with those already navigating multiple roles.
As an increasing number of occupational therapists are exploring career development beyond statutory services, we bring together a group of practitioners to share their experiences of venturing beyond.
The diversification dividend
Juggling multiple roles is not just a logistical hurdle, it is a clinical opportunity. When we work across different organisations, we stop seeing the world through a single lens. This variety prevents professional stagnation and ensures we are constantly learning from different cultures and clinical environments.
Shaen Milward says:‘ I was working across three organisations; it can be a juggle, but each of those assignments provide something else professionally and developmentally.’
This diversity of thought directly benefits the people you serve, because you can cross-pollinate
The takeaway
Diversification: using a portfolio of roles to build a broader experience base can enable those feeling limited by the protocols and restrictions of a single organisation to develop a more resilient professional identity. The key is intentional diversification; choosing variety that stretches you, not simply accumulating hours.
Reflective question: Which clinical environments or sectors have you always been curious about and what is one concrete step you could take to explore them in the next six months?
8 Occupational Therapy in Independent Practice