otbecca

A year goes fast....

2009-11-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

So a year in the life of an OT sure goes fast. Funny I didn't realize that it has been this long until i got a request from someone.
I have to say the job so far has been great - I have been able to really use the knowledge I have accumulated both in school and along the way. I was hired for a unique position in which I get to work with adults in day habilitation programs right in the day habs. Some of you reading this may say to yourself - "of course where else" but up until now at least in my agency all treatment sessions were done in the therapy room separate from the settings that the consumers were spending the rest of their day. Not only have I seen a tremendous change in the response of the consumers but a tremendous response from the staff who can now benefit directly from my knowledge to vastly improve the lives of the people they work with for the rest of the day - when I am only in there for half an hour.
I have even volunteered to start to take on students so I can share what I am doing with them. I think may times we, in school are bombarded with the idea of functional occupations and sometimes when we get in the workforce this quickly gets forfeited. I am fortunate to be in a position unlike many others where I can provide therapy in a slightly unorthodox way - have a good time and provide a great service to the people I work with each day. I hope to be able to do this more and not go another year before blogging about it!!

Breaking Down Walls

2008-10-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

So... my new job is going well and I have a lot of respect for the people that are in these rooms each day, but, it has been somewhat difficult in breaking down some of the walls that are put up by the direct care staff that take care of these guys all day - day in day out. I feel like I have turned the corner though and people are beginning to see how I can help them out - not only in improving participation and increasing independence but making their days easier to boot. I will be starting the individual groups soon and am hopeful that they will go well. We will be doing a lot of activity focusing on pumpkins ( a colleague suggested themed activities - that can be continued in each room when your not there). It feels great to be providing this service to these folks. If you have any group ideas for adults in day habilitation feel free to let me know. I am going to have to get my creative juices going to keep things fresh and interesting.

2008-10-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

The best thing about working hard all week at my new job as an occupational therapist is that at the end of it all I get to sick back on a beautiful Saturday and watch my darling daughter play a great game of soccer.

The wait is over!!

2008-08-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

AFTER WEEKS OF STUDYING AND FEELING AS IF AT ANY MOMENT SOMEONE WAS GOING TO TELL ME - "ARE YOU CRAZY" THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU A LICENSE - YOU KNOW NOTHING!!!", I HAVE PASSED THE NBCOT EXAM AND AM NOW AN OFFICIAL OTR (JUST WAITING NOW FOR THE /L. YEAH - I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE PASSED OVER THIS HURDLE. WHAT AN EXCITING TIME.
IN ADDITION TO THIS I HAVE A JOB ALREADY AND A JOB I AM SOOO EXCITED ABOUT. WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!

2008-08-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Studying for this exam is harrowing at best - I go from thinking I know so much (and actually am astounded) to very quickly plummeting and thinking I know very little (and how did they think to even give me a diploma). SO needless to say my emotions are running high and I look forward to the end of the test so I can at least breathe a little easier.
On a brighter note, I will hear in the next day or two about a job offer - It is thrilling and exciting while at the same time terrifying. I haven't had a paying job for ten years - as I stayed home to raise my daughter and go to school - so things will be changing for me dramatically in the next few weeks to month. It feels as if I am starting out on a wonderful journey. I hope to be able to have time to keep this up once I start working to document this journey that I am beginning. I also hope to hear from others who are just starting out, have been working for a few years or even better - those of you who are veteran OT's and have been doing this amazing work for a long time.
I just finished reading the latest copy of the ADVANCE for OT and there was an interesting article in there regarding the use of prosthetics and the 2008 Olympics. Thy were trying to ascertain of the gentleman in question would have an edge over the other runners due to his prosthetics - It intrigued me and wondered if anyone else has any thoughts on it?

NBCOT has come through!!

2008-07-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have received my ATT letter at long last and have signed up to take my test on August 25, - now comes the serious studying to make sure I am prepared. I took a practice test today and only got a 61% - although I don't know how that equates to the actual test score but we'll see. Fortunately the test outlines the areas where you are deficient and then you can plan studying devoted to those areas in particular. For some reason I have such a hard time with any questions that relate to spinal cord injuries, group work and RLA levels. If you too have difficulty in these areas - what have you done to get better at it? if you have taken the test and did well in those areas - do you have any advice? and finally just any thoughts or encouragement as I study for what is to be the culmination of 7 years of academic preparation. :)
It seems surreal that in a month's time I will be a licensed OT and practicing. I look forward to this and using all I have learned in the past years to make things better for people and help them along their road to "getting back to life".

Interview Success

2008-07-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

What a great day for an interview - although it started with torrential rain storms, my two interviews today came and went without a hitch. I was very nervous for both - but to my surprise, my nervousness did not overtake me, I answered the questions with knowledge and confidence. It is interesting as these were my first set of interviews to work as on occupational therapist - how very differently they played out as a alder adult returning to the workforce after ten years. I felt as if I gave the potential employers the answers they were looking for and began to see how much my education background in conjunction with my life experiences will serve to improve their programs in so many ways. It sounds funny but I felt like " a grown up" not just someone who was pretending to be a grown up to get a job.
Any others returning to this or other fields and have similar experiences? What do you think if you are interviewing a "2nd career stay at home Mom"? There is definitely something to be said for life experiences and their impact upon your outlook on life.

Interview suggestions

2008-07-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

I have two scheduled interviews - both on Wednesday. One is at 8:30 in the morning and the second is at 1:00 in the afternoon. They couldn't be more opposite - one is adults with developmental disabilities - many of whom are wheelchair bound and physically dependent on others while the other is for a preschool serving children from birth at both a center based program and in-home services. I have been looking over information regarding each program and the services they offer as well as the texts and written information on each. If anyone has any suggestions on acing these interviews - that would be great. I have been in school for a long time - since 1999 - so it is a bit daunting to be interviewing for a job again.
If you are an OT and interviewing - what type of things are you looking for, asking of your potential future employee?
If you are a recent graduate and in the same boat as I am - how have you prepared for your interviews? Any help, guidance or suggestions is really appreciated.

hurry up and wait for NBCOT

2008-07-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Anyone have to wait and wait for NBCOT to process the paperwork to be able to take this test and actually start my "new career". It seems as if it is the old cliche of "hurry up and wait". I just feel like after all this time (I've been in school since 1999 between undergrad and grad school) I want to get down and dirty and start helping people - the whole reason I went back to school.
On a brighter note, although research was long, rigorous and I felt as if it would never be published, I want to do more. In looking for credible research this afternoon, it is limited. There are some articles talking about adults with developmental disabilities and their leisure pursuits but mostly from Canada. I am especially interested in the effects of disability on a person in two different aspects:
1) when a person is born with a disability (either physical or cognitive) and or is affected by it from an early age as opposed to
2) when someone acquires a disability (whether physical or cognitive)

Just an idea - if you have any thoughts I would love to hear them - let me know what you think.

starting in the world of occupational therapy (OT)

2008-07-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

this blog among other things is devoted to my beginning of a second career as an Occupational Therapist (OT). 10 years ago I was struck by a drunk driver and broke my legs in 25+/- places. After many surgeries, much rehabilitation and the outstanding help and guidance of many therapists to get me back to my life - I have just graduated with my Master's degree in occupational therapy.
It is my hope now that I too can be that change that a person needs to get back to their life.
As I write this - I am awaiting my ATT letter from NBCOT and spending 3 hours a day studying for the licensing exam. I'd like to begin research at my new position which (with any luck) will be working with adults with developmental disabilities in a day setting.
If you are reading this and
1) are in the same boat - let me know, what study tips do you have that are working for you?
2) you have already been there and done that - any suggestions to get where you now are?
3) you are interested in OT or my story and want to know more - let me know
4) thinking about or are doing research with this population - let me know perhaps we could collaborate