Post Mock Interview Reflection

 How do you feel the interview went overall? 

I felt the interview went great. I was encouraged when I left the zoom room! I felt confident in my self and my ability to answer questions on the spot. Although this experience was different from previous years, I still felt like this was a beneficial practice interview.

How did you prepare for the interview?

I did some reasearch on the facility prior to the interview. I looked into their variety of services, locations and hiring information. I also thought about some questions I would want to ask at the end of the interview. I adapted my cover letter to be properly addressed to the person conducting my interview. I also made sure my resume was fully updated and professional. 

What, if anything, went differently than you expected?

The question about salary caught me a little off guard. I know its important to discuss but when I said my numbers I could not tell what my interviewer thought. I said the average amount an OT makes in Memphis and felt like I was wrong. I also was not as prepared to talk about whereI see myself in the next 5 years. I answered that I would like to be pursing a specialization and got good feedback from my interviewer. 

What's something you would change if you could go through this process again (or something you'll do differently when you're in a real-life interview situation)?

I would do more research on salary and come prepared with the average numbers for the area. I would also try to word my areas of growth more clearly. I did fine in the interview expressing my "weaknesses" but stumbled a little in the beginning. 

What's something you learned during this process that may be helpful to you as you prepare to enter the workforce as an OT practitioner?

I learned that I should always come prepared, do my research and have at least two questions for my interviewer. I asked mine about their variety of actions and if an OT would work at one or travel around. I also asked what quality from your OT's makes them the most successful or which quality do you think is most important for your new hire OT's. This made her feel like I was prepared and did my research on the facility. I really enjoyed this experience and it gave me a real taste of what's to come post graduation. 

Leadership II Self-Portrait of a Leader

Glyph Key for Drawing A Self-Portrait of a Leader

 

Face Shape: If you believe that leadership is an inborn trait, draw a triangle-shaped head.  If you think that leadership stems from nurture over nature, draw a square-shaped head.

 

Eyes: If you think the vast majority of OTs are leaders, make big circles for the eyes.  If you think there is a fairly equal mixture of leaders and non-leaders in the field of OT, draw small circles for the eyes.  Fill in the pupils.  Add glasses if you feel that you have had more experience in leadership roles than most other people your age at this point in life.

 

Eyelashes: Draw one eyelash on each of the eyes for each of the five themes you can name based on your personal Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment from earlier in the curriculum.

 

Eyebrows: If you like to take the role of the leader in an out-in-front way, make curved eyebrows.  If your leadership style is more behind the scenes, make pointy eyebrows.

 

Nose: Draw a triangle nose if you think that seeing yourself as a leader is necessary to being a leader.  Draw a rounded nose if you believe that a person can be a leader without seeing himself or herself as a leader.

 

Skin:  Add a freckle anywhere on the skin of the face if you believe that self-awareness is vital to effective leadership.  Leave the skin clear if you don’t think it’s an essential trait.

 

Mouth: Draw a smiling mouth if you can think of at least one leader who has had a positive impact on you.  Draw a frown if you can’t think of a good example of a leader.

 

Ears: Draw round ears if you think technology is an important part of effective leadership in many situations. Draw pointy ears if don’t think so.

 

Hair: Draw the hair based on a continuum, based on your personal viewpoint in two areas: 

 

What’s more important in leadership:             Curly hair  <------------------------->  Straight hair 

          creativity or organization?                   Creativity  <-------------------------->  Organization

                        AND

Can an introvert be an effective leader?         Short hair <-------------------------> Long hair

                                                                           No way  <------ I’m unsure -----> Definitely yes

 

Accessories: Add at least one accessory (example: a piece of jewelry) if you see yourself as a leader.  Add a hat if the way you think about or approach leadership has changed as a result of what you have learned since beginning in OT school.

 

Finishing Touch: Label your paper with your name, writing in cursive if you have a written plan or goal about to serving in leadership roles in the future; write in print if you do not yet have a written plan. 

 

 My perspective has changed a little sine I began OT school. Previously, I thought that in order to be a leader you had to love public speaking and be a extrovert. I never thought of myself like this because i am a introvert, homebody, quiet person! However, I have realized that I am leading more than I previously thought. I am leading when my classmates need help understanding an assignment. I am leading when I am in charge of planning a party for my family. I lead in my church when I signed up to teach Sunday school. I am a leader in my own way. I still do not like public speaking or love being the center of attention, but my views have changed and I have gained more confidence since the start of OT school. 

2020

2019

Knowledge Check Leadership

The concept of internal and external locus of control is a very interesting one and effects the way we see the world. An internal locus of control is the idea that you are the reason things happen. You believe things are controlled by you. An external locus of control means that things happen to you and you have little to no influence on these things. People with an external locus of control believe that their happiness is dependent on external factors such as other people. 

This concept is important to understand for occupational therapists. I believe this can be very influential in rehabilitation, especially for clients who are disabled. If the client believes they cannot change or progress because they had a life altering injury, it can directly impact their rehab journey. Alternately, if the client believes that they determine their journey and can make progress if they work hard, this can be positive for the OT to use in their treatment. I believe that mindset directly influences progress, choices and situations. Locus of control determines one's beliefs regarding self efficacy and self esteem. 

A study done by Sylvie Janelle discusses this concept in occupational therapy directly. This article is dated, but I feel makes valid points regarding this topic and shows the importance of understanding this concept! She describes this knowledge of internal vs. external locus of control as it relates to goal setting for the client (Janelle, 1992). . She also makes the point that finding this information should be included in a initial valuation, primarily with youth who are disabled (Janelle, 1992). Determining the locus of control of your clients will help the OT understand their reasoning behind actions, beliefs and how they will face therapy challenges. 

Reference 

Janelle S. (1992). Locus of control in nondisabled versus congenitally physically disabled adolescents. The American journal of occupational therapy: official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 46(4), 334–342. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.4.334

Post Sim Reflection

I am always very nervous waiting outside a client's door prior to the sim lab. I felt much more confident in my abilities as a future practitioner for this simulation. It is hard to prepare for the unknown questions that might arise. However, I was more confident in my abilities to answer questions and provide the standardized patient relevant information and explain the evaluation  I was mindful of body placement and making some form of physical contact this time compared to previous SIM's. I made an effort to incorporate the child's likes and interests into my sensory schedule. I wanted to make sure the mom knew that my suggestions were not rules. I told the mom the activities on the form did not all have to be completed. I tried to make the activities things that could be easily incorporated into their day and not set the child apart form peers. I felt better about my abilities to practice mindfulness for myself and also be mindful of my client. 


There are many things I could do better. Skills I can always improve are increasing my empathy, asking probing open ended questions, and making sure the client understands the information. In a real life scenario, these things might be easier to achieve. For example, the client seemed distraught, tired and overwhelmed when I entered the room. I should have taken the time to adequately address her feelings through probing questions and active listening techniques, instead of going through my mental checklist of the things I needed to address. If I could do things differently, I would make sure the mom completely understood all the information I was telling her. For example, I could have the mom tell me what she is going to tell her daughter's teacher regarding the child's sensory needs. This way, it is not belittling her, or assuming she does not grasp the concepts, to check for understanding. I would change the way I discuss the sensory schedule and tell the mom that the activities can be changed, substituted or removed completely. This is something that we would do in our next session or follow up. I would ask more open ended questions about their daily life and her child's routine. I would also put more emphasis on treatment being a team effort of the child, the mom and the OT. 

A caring attitude is communicated primarily through body language. Making conisistent eye contact with the client lets them know you are listening to what they are saying. Incorporating some of their personal details and interests into the session conveys a message of caring to a client. I personally know that if a doctor or therapist remembers a personal detail about me, it makes me feel like im more than just a patient. I am a real person to them. Sitting within close proximity to a client shows a level of caring and breaks down barriers regarding status. When a therapist can talk to a client in basic conversation form, this makes the encounter natural and can imply a level of caring. Another way to communicate an attitude of caring is to ensure they have your professional contact information for questions. Additionally, telling a client that questions are welcomed and encouraged can make them feel like you sincerely care about their outcomes and want to provide the best level of care. This way, they feel like they aren't just a client to check off for the day. They are someone with whom a therapeutic relationship can begin to form. 

This simulation taught me to be prepared for emotions in therapy. Parents might cry or ask if their child is "normal". I will remember to be honest with parents and clients regarding the status of their loved ones or themselves, but remain empathetic and positive. I will focus more on the clients strengths instead of focusing on what they cannot do. I will have empathy for client's situations and can use techniques to make sure they know they are important and that I care about them. This is what makes OT so unique and why I am so excited to begin my career as a therapist. I will remember to make physical contact at least once, ask more probing questions, check for understanding, and remember the perspective of the client. 

Neuro Note 4

I watched a movie on Netflix called Walk, Ride, Rodeo. It was about a 19 year old girl who loved riding horses and competitions. Her identify was in her occupation of professional riding. She had a bright future ahead of her in college and as a rider. One day, she was driving and she ran off the road and flipped her truck. She was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown out of the car. She hit a fence post with her back very hard. The doctor in the movie says Amberley's T12 vertebrae was crushed and she was paralyzed from the waist down. The spinal cord was not completely severed, but the doctor stated she would need a wheelchair for the rest of her life.  Amberley stated she wanted to accomplish three things after her time in rehab: walking, riding and participating in the rodeo. This is what we discussed in class as how sometimes clients ask us "Will I ever _____ again?". For Amberley, her blank was riding her beloved horse, Power. She struggled with herself and the new life she had to live. She had moments where she wanted to give up, but she did not. She worked hard in rehab.

Although the movie featured her journey in PT and not OT, I saw many places where occupational therapy could shine.

Amberley took it upon herself to have a seat belt installed to her horse saddle so she could maintain balance on her horse without the use of her legs. She made adaptations to the saddle to accommodate her after the injury. She had strong family support and support from people world wide. She shocked people with her attitude and mindset of "I can do this". She went on to compete in her dream completion, the American in Texas. I chose this because the movie does a good job at showing that a devastating injury does not have to mean losing the ability to participate in meaningful occupations. Things might have to be adjusted but Amberley could still ride her horse. I learned a lot about how determined a client can be in their own healing process. There are many factors like family and social support and client motivation that contribute to the intervention outcome. I recommend this movie as one that was not only entertaining (based on a true story) and educational to OT students.

To watch Walk, Ride, Rodeo follow the link:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80995799

This picture is Amberley and Power. Retrieved from: http://ihearthorses.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/power-976x1024.jpg

Media Project

This project was a nice challenge for creativity. I try to be creative in everyday life and in my own home, but it was quite challenging when given the case of Joe and the media of pipe cleaners. I was forced to think creatively and out side of the box. I wanted to give Joe a solution to lower body dressing while still providing the just right challenge. The ideas I kept thinking of would have all worked wonderfully for someone with sensory or fine motor deficits. Joe's main concern was the need for full assistance when lower body dressing. It took me a while to come up with something that Joe could use in performing his occupations. Finally, I came up with a way to use pipe cleaners for lower body dressing! The most meaningful and useful thing learned was to not limit myself or my creativity. No matter what resources you have, there is always something that can be made. Pipe cleaners were less than $1 and I was able to create something to assist in lower body dressing. I also learned that thinking yourself is the best way to become more creative. Sometimes I would resort to Pinterest for inspiration but I could not find anything. It made me realize that I can be creative and use these skills to help my future clients.

While working on this project, I learned how to become more creative and use things around the house to be meaningful to a client. Interventions do not always have to be pretty, expensive or even fun to look at. They just have to get the job done. Thats how my pipe cleaner dressing aid is. It isn't perfect but it is unique. I learned a lot about the use peers to encourage creative thoughts and ideas. As a future OT, I will feel more comfortable and confident when faced with a challenging situation. I can use almost any resource for something outside of its intended purpose. This assignment will challenge me in my furniture clinical work but has also made me more confident as I begin my career.

Neuro Note #3

Katherine Wolf was a 26 year old new mom when her life changed forever. She was in the height of happiness with the birth of her first child and her husband about to graduate from law school. She was in the kitchen one morning and said she was feeling funny. She got her husband to call 911. When they got to the hospital the surgeon told her husband she would not survive. However, she did! She suffered a stroke in her brain stem due to a congenital malformation she was unaware of. We have learned in class about the brainstem and its importance. It controls breathing, heart rate and motor functions.

During surgery, they removed half of her cerebellum and intra cranial nerves. She was then in a coma for two months! This was a major life altering event. She was able to go back home and decided to live the life she was given to the best of her ability. She uses a cane and sometimes a wheelchair to walk or get around. She cannot drive. She talks about how she was just thankful she did not have to leave her son. Being a mom and wife are roles she values and makes up her identity. She did not let suffering a CVA take away from her performance in meaningful occupations. I chose this because it really inspired me and affected me watching this sweet young mom go through something so traumatic. She did not let it dampen her spirit. One thing Katherine said was very inspiring. She stated, "living as a mother with a disability is actually a profound gift because they're seeing life being broken and not perfect...".

She proceeded to have a second child named John. With her husband, they founded and started  working at Hope Heals. It is a  non profile ministry and their goal is to inspire and support other families with disabilities through faith. I highly recommend everyone watch their short video which can be found at https://bit.ly/31LiFUo. I believe that if Katherine had just given up, she would have fallen into depression. It is an inspiration to keep going and adapt as needed to any curve balls life throws at you. She made the most of her situation and is changing the lives of other families through her ministry! I learned a lot from her about motivation and the importance of keeping meaningful occupations in your life after a life altering occurrence. With a support system and a good medical team, she is living her life to the best of her ability and is thankful for everyday.

 Retrieved From: https://bit.ly/31LiFUo

Bryant, K. (2019, July 25). 'Having a Stroke as a New Mom Changed Everything, but I'm Treating It 

Like a Gift'. Retrieved August 19, 2019, from https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/having-a-stroke-as-a-new-mom-changed-everything-but-im-treating-it-like-a-gift?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=health_health&utm_content=video_internalcrosspromotion9