Sharp Rise in OT Referrals in NYC Public Schools
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Therapy in Context
NPR.org - At 90, She's Designing Tech for Aging Boomers - Barbar Beskind is an occupational therapy who currently works for IDEO as a technology designer. Her unique perspective of geriatric challenges paired with her knowledge and experience as an OT for over 40 years makes her expertly qualified for a giant technology market.
Check it out!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Getting Feedback: Good, Bad, and Terribly Ugly
I've been a full-time therapist for 4 months. In the eyes of many, this constitutes as new and I would agree.
As a therapist, I am still learning. I have been getting good feedback from patients, other therapists, the boss, and other professionals in the building pertaining to my performance. As for my personality, I am invested, excited, and happy to share pertinent information to other therapists daily to institute a culture of consistency in patient care and peer-mentorship. There is at least one therapist at the clinic who does not feel like that, at all. And, she thought it necessary to tell me so, even though there was no invitation from me.
The feedback was harsh and painful, rudely delivered, and non-constructive. The information had the potential to be extremely helpful but since its delivery was so poor, it completely cut me down. To add insult to injury, the therapist continued to spread the information to my peers during patient treatment in a public hallway without my presence. Nobody's perfect.
The administrator of the building noticed I was upset and later in the day asked me what happened. Earlier, I had contemplated keeping the information to myself and a few close friends; however, since the therapist took it on herself to spread the news of my insufficiencies, I was not inspired by the fidelity virtue to keep her out of it. But, I didn't use her name. Simply by describing the actions, the administrator was able to identify the therapist. That says something. The therapist has been employed there for many years and everyone knows her well. While it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
It was a difficult situation to go through as a new therapist at my first job. The therapist is angry with me that I did not go to her first before speaking freely of the situation to our superiors. She has not told me this; I've only heard through hear-say. I am not sorry that I feel this way; I am not sorry for being a sensitive person. I do not subscribe to a culture of make-you-or-break-you hazing from "experienced" co-workers. I believe I would've risked further abuse if I spoke to her regarding my feelings. The tension between us in the treatment setting is high. Thankfully, I have the support of my peers to keep me focused on the day's work.
As a therapist, I am still learning. I have been getting good feedback from patients, other therapists, the boss, and other professionals in the building pertaining to my performance. As for my personality, I am invested, excited, and happy to share pertinent information to other therapists daily to institute a culture of consistency in patient care and peer-mentorship. There is at least one therapist at the clinic who does not feel like that, at all. And, she thought it necessary to tell me so, even though there was no invitation from me.
The feedback was harsh and painful, rudely delivered, and non-constructive. The information had the potential to be extremely helpful but since its delivery was so poor, it completely cut me down. To add insult to injury, the therapist continued to spread the information to my peers during patient treatment in a public hallway without my presence. Nobody's perfect.
The administrator of the building noticed I was upset and later in the day asked me what happened. Earlier, I had contemplated keeping the information to myself and a few close friends; however, since the therapist took it on herself to spread the news of my insufficiencies, I was not inspired by the fidelity virtue to keep her out of it. But, I didn't use her name. Simply by describing the actions, the administrator was able to identify the therapist. That says something. The therapist has been employed there for many years and everyone knows her well. While it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
It was a difficult situation to go through as a new therapist at my first job. The therapist is angry with me that I did not go to her first before speaking freely of the situation to our superiors. She has not told me this; I've only heard through hear-say. I am not sorry that I feel this way; I am not sorry for being a sensitive person. I do not subscribe to a culture of make-you-or-break-you hazing from "experienced" co-workers. I believe I would've risked further abuse if I spoke to her regarding my feelings. The tension between us in the treatment setting is high. Thankfully, I have the support of my peers to keep me focused on the day's work.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Getting over a slump
In every job, it is easy to fall into a slump. In our facility, the rehab team has started a weekly journal club where we can check in and do a small in-service to update each other on new techniques and information that we've researched. The act of taking the time to check-in regarding progress towards goals or getting new ideas for treatment activities is uplifting, especially when you feel like you're in a rut. So, in short, go team!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Letter to the Editor - Success!
Since February, I've been advocating for new therapists in New Jersey (like me!) waiting to get their license. The NJOTA (www.njota.org) have been helpful but it's always important for individuals to be involved in their own advocacy.
I am happy to report that I've been published in the Star Ledger, Asbury Park Press and the Independent Times of Trenton. I also reached out to the Current and the Atlantic City Press.
Here's a photo of my letter in the Asbury Park Press. And here are links to the Star Ledger and the Independent Times of Trenton.
Small steps for big changes :)
I am happy to report that I've been published in the Star Ledger, Asbury Park Press and the Independent Times of Trenton. I also reached out to the Current and the Atlantic City Press.
Here's a photo of my letter in the Asbury Park Press. And here are links to the Star Ledger and the Independent Times of Trenton.
Small steps for big changes :)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Therapeutic Activities
I am an avid yogi and am very excited to share this article from the New York Times. It is a glance inside a yoga studio owned by a married couple who are Orthodox Jews in Israel. It is another example of how yoga is accessible to everyone who wishes to practice.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
For OTS' with anxiety: Waiting... and waiting... to start work.
I am an obsessive planner. I planned to have a job by graduation: check. I planned to have a place to live close to my work prior to starting: check. I planned to take out appropriate loans to last me through the "predicted" start of work: check (and even a little bit more). So you think I would be capitalizing on my free time for now: Uncheck. What I was not prepared for were the feelings of desolation and loneliness of this "interim" period of "relaxing."
The gist of it is this: I completed Fieldwork on December 6 and graduated on December 15 - woo hoo, party time. I even took a two-day NBCOT prep course in between (it was OK... not life changing, but more on that later, if someone is curious about it). In this period, I waited for my CI to send in my paperwork to school, so I could wait for school to send it to NBCOT. Then I waited 2 weeks for NBCOT to process my paperwork so I could sign up for the test. I also sent in my state of NJ license application.
December 15 - January 1 - study time, holiday time, fun times, etc. etc. Oh, and yes - I took a 4 day (over two weekend) PAM Certification course (free of charge through outside circumstances, so how could I pass it up?). Wow, cool, good use of time.
January 1 - February 10 - study!! all day!
So, this is where things go awry. In the course, we were advised to study 3 hrs/day, 7 days a week for 4 - 6 weeks. I had ample time to do this, and I even took a small P/T job (only 10 hrs/week). Since my job was as a "fill-in" girl, I was defunked when the main person was able to come in more than expected... hm, leaving me more free time. My anxiety was intense about the test, so I ended up studying 8+ hours a day. Honestly, I can't say if I would have not passed the test if I stuck with the original 3 hr/day plan, but in retrospect it would have been much healthier to do something else besides study all day. I was ornery, crabby, and mean to my boyfriend. And sad, constantly sad, that I wasn't good enough for this test, through 2+ years of graduate education. Obnoxiously anxious.
But, I passed... so why did I immediately feel awful the day after I found out my results? Because there was now, in reality, nothing left to do but wait. Ironically, waiting for the results was the least amount of waiting I did because I took the test on a Monday, and results are posted on a Thursday. That was a planned decision to avoid an emotional breakdown while waiting for the results, obsessing over what I would do if I did not pass.
Between Valentine's day and today, February 25, I am still waiting to start my job that I have had since December 13. I am waiting for NJ to "process" my test results, which were sent on 2/14. I am waiting for lab results to come back from my physical (required for work). I am waiting to get another invoice for a money order, then will wait for them to process that. Then I will wait for my license to come in the mail. Then, I can be an OT. I hope to be one by my birthday (3/18).
I lobbied the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association about this infamous waiting period (rumor has it that the State processing office is notorious for loosing documents, taking forever; in one instance, I learned of a woman who waited 10+weeks from the date of her test for her license to arrive). The woman I spoke with was very nice and helpful, but in essence felt as flustered as me. She began the conversation with "Are you home because you're still waiting for the great state of NJ to send in your license?" Yes. They've tried, still trying, to streamline the process. Everything's a process.
I have not had the guts to add up how much money I have "lost" by not being able to start sooner. (It sounds like a good research project, though, for some MSOT seniors who are not afraid of the results.)
I lobbied the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association about this infamous waiting period (rumor has it that the State processing office is notorious for loosing documents, taking forever; in one instance, I learned of a woman who waited 10+weeks from the date of her test for her license to arrive). The woman I spoke with was very nice and helpful, but in essence felt as flustered as me. She began the conversation with "Are you home because you're still waiting for the great state of NJ to send in your license?" Yes. They've tried, still trying, to streamline the process. Everything's a process.
I have not had the guts to add up how much money I have "lost" by not being able to start sooner. (It sounds like a good research project, though, for some MSOT seniors who are not afraid of the results.)
I can't say I wasn't warned, I just wish I had planned a little bit better.
If you've read this far looking for advice... Don't be like me and too proud to ask for financial help from friends and family if some spending money would help you reduce cabin fever (if possible); try not to let depression/anxiety take over your days of waiting. And most of all, be thankful and grateful that you have a job that you want. That is a luxury worth celebrating every single day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)