OT is IT!

I don’t want to scare anyone because this list is longer.  However!  These did not all occur at a single fieldsite, thank goodness!

You may encounter some things that are distinctly unfun or otherwise make your learning experience more difficult than is warranted.  I realize some seem very random, and I will say that at the time most of those things just seemed odd (or very, very wrong for #2).  However, I see those weird and random ones as especially important because they reveal a lot about the facility’s quality of character. 

20 BAD THINGS you don’t want to see. 

1. If your supervisor ever complains that your school does not financially compensate her for taking on students (FYI: NO school pays supervisors).  Or if she says she’s just doing it to appease HER supervisor.
2. If performing a physical evaluation ever feels like a reprisal of the Milgram experiment.  In fact, if any assessments or treatments feel like that.
3. If COTAs are not given the respect they deserve from other staff.  An experienced COTA is a valuable resource for students and professionals alike.  Conversely, an incompetent COTA should never be allowed to persist without correction or, if necessary, discipline.
4. If, when asked if you know anything about their facility, you talk about a famous person/study that had been at the facility and receive nothing but blank looks.
5. If it seems commonplace for staff to have romantic/sexual relationships with other staff members.  Double bonus caution for inter-staff marriages and any warnings not to have relations with the patients.
6. If your supervisor is a chain smoker.  Double warning if this is your pediatric rotation.
7. If staff gossip about one another, and especially if other staff members express their dislike of your supervisor within your ear shot.
8. If you are told you are being given “freedom” to try things, but this so-called freedom comes without the opportunity for follow-up feedback from your supervisor.
9. If your supervisor makes you completely re-write long-hand notes because of a single, simple error (cross it out with a single line, initial it, date it, and move on).
10. If your supervisor leaves you alone with a patient to go off and gossip with other staff in another treatment/office area.
11. If you observe that staff are not billing for the appropriate hours, and/or want you to treat a patient for his full scheduled time despite the fact that same patient is refusing to attend/participate in treatment.
12. “Take lunch” means “go away and leave me alone”.
13. Your supervisor has no sense of humor.  Or ever appears to be in good humor.
14. If any staff use racist, homophobic, sexist, disabilist, or other inappropriate language. Bad enough if it’s amongst themselves.  Double bonus if it’s directed at absent patients.
15. Your supervisor complains that you take too long reading charts because you’re reading more than just her rehab notes (hello, interdisciplinary approach). Double special bonus if her notes are very short and mostly illegible.
16. If your site is stocked with instruments, assessment, and/or modalities that are never used by anyone at all.  Double bonus warning if there is broken equipment that’s clearly just taking up space.
17. You’re given inappropriate and/or incorrect discharge plans to work from.  More than once.  Especially if they’re time sensitive.
18. Patient education handouts range from inadequate to non-existant. 
19. You’re told that another staff member knowing some sign language qualifies them to be an interpreter.  (FYI: you have to be trained and certified to be a sign language interpreter.)
20. If the only response your supervisor wants to hear from you is that you agree with her assessment and her ideas.  Or if any other staff member just wants you to smile and nod while they talk at you.

Students have diverse and divergent reactions to their fieldwork placements and assignments often tacked on.  I was recently requested to reflect upon what made up my good and bad experiences in the wonderful world of fieldwork.  As a result, here is a general list of things that have helped me.  (I also welcome any messages/questions about this whole OT business).  So, part 1:

11 GOOD THINGS you want to see

1. More often than not, talking with your supervisor leaves you feeling good and confident about your career choice.
2. Your supervisor asks questions that challenge your clinical thinking, and follows up with discussion of your answer and her observations.
3. Your supervisor is genuinely happy to take on students, or at the very least handles the situation with grace and professionalism.
4. Staff notes and patient charts are neat, legible, and well organized. (Tell me when you find this place.  I want to see if they have openings for OTRs!).  If, more often than not, rehab notes are neat and legible you’re in a great place.
5. The facility is bright and well-cared for, whether or not they have a great budget.
6. The rehab staff communicates well with nursing.  And both teams are on good terms overall. (The RNs should be your BFFs.)
7. OT, PT, and Speech staff actually know each other and talk on a regular basis.  And social work knows what the heck you’re doing, more often than not.
8. The facility has staffing and resources to quickly respond to persons protected by ADA regulations, or those who otherwise need additional resources (especially regarding qualified interpreters).
9. If staff frequently use different instruments, assessments, techniques, and modalities.  And offer opportunities for you to observe and learn as time permits.
10. Your OTR supervisor collaborates with and respects the knowledge and ability of any COTAs under her supervision.
11. Any other students on site, whether level I or II, are open, friendly, and respect you as another student.