APM offers a new career path for cricketer James McMillan
James McMillan was a professional cricketer in New Zealand for 17 years, touring internationally and playing for Otago in the country’s State Championships.
With support from NZ Cricket upon retirement, James discovered that his interests and skills were well-suited to studying a degree in Occupational Therapy.
A new home
As a mature-age graduate, James joined the APM team as an OT intern in Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island.
He found a new home with APM, and has been here ever since, working mainly in the vocational “stay at work” program with referrals from the Accident Compensation Corporation or third-party insurers.
James works with clients and their employers to develop a plan that supports the ability for a client to remain at work while recovering from injury. He will visit the workplace to conduct assessments and determine what supports and plans should be put in place.
“I like getting out into the community and visiting workplaces to see what they do and how they do it,” he said.
“I’ve learned a lot from the diverse sectors I work across, including the police, local hospitals, and food manufacturing businesses.”
Working across APM
APM’s Work Assist team also has a significant presence in Dunedin, and James will often be referred job seekers for an assessment if they’ve been injured or are experiencing mental health concerns.
He will review their background and assess what interventions may be necessary to help the job seeker become ready for work.
“I find my job really challenging and rewarding. I’ll admit I have a bit of a competitive nature, which drives me to find solutions and deliver the very best outcomes for our clients,” James said.
“It’s the variety of the role and the challenge that keeps it interesting for me. While every day is different, the team at APM all work towards a common goal, which is to enable better lives, and I feel really fulfilled and happy that this is where my career has taken me.”
If you too enjoy a challenge and variety, explore APM’s open roles and see where your allied health career could take you.
