6 Strategies for Success (adapted from Shimmell & Dix, 2018)
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POTENTIAL CHALLENGE
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STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SUCCESS
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| Unsure of the OTA role at the placement setting | · Talk to students who have previously had placements at the site.
· Review any projects from past role-emerging placements at the facility · Maximize time with OT clinical instructor to discuss role and allow for delegation of duties. · Review applicable coursework that applies to client group and setting. · Reflect on your role and know that it is okay to not know all the answers.
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| Occupational therapist clinical instructor is onsite for limited periods
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· Collaborate with other onsite resource people, and your onsite supervisor (e.g. other health care providers and students)
· Make a list of you questions so you can ask your OT clinical instructor when they are on site. · Consider touching base at the end of each day or at the beginning and end of the week with the offsite clinical instructor, to review duties carried out and any challenges that came up. This could be a quick email or phone call. · Research to answer your questions and use resources available.
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| Being responsible for the OTA role | · Organize the activities you are responsible for
· Consider yourself an extension of the offsite clinical instructor and represent yourself professionally · Consider this an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on your clients and the site.
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| Uncertainty that emerging role placement will provide you with the learning opportunities you need | · Talk to previous student who had role-emerging placements
· View this as an opportunity to learn from a unique site · Research the area of practice and the types of needs the clients may present with before you start placement · Focus on employability skills which apply to the placement setting
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POTENTIAL CHALLENGE
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STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SUCCESS |
| Difficulty defining OTA role in setting | · Ensure student, onsite supervisor and off site clinical instructor discuss roles and expectations at the beginning of placement
· Feel free to identify your own learning needs and limitations (e.g. if you are being asked to assist staff, you can help during busy times but then be sure to identify when you need time to do your own work; or if asked to take on other roles you can simply ask to focus on your role as the OTA) · Enlist the help of your onsite supervisor and the OT clinical instructor to help establish boundaries and advocate for your role as the OTA
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| Difficulty establishing relationships in short amount of time
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· Focus on building relationships. Be friendly, outgoing and take initiative to learn about other staff members. For example, join them for lunch breaks.
· Demonstrate sensitivity to clientele and treat everyone with respect. · Show interest in others perspectives and allow them to educate you. · Be appreciative for people’s time and efforts. A simple thank you can go a long way. · Take time to listen keeping in mind your nonverbal and verbal cues. · Take opportunities to connect. For example, walk with someone and assist them with what they are doing while you ask your questions.
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| Difficulty finding work space.
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· Avoid using client spaces to do your paperwork.
· Ask during orientation what spaces are available to work quietly and communicate when you might need to use these spaces. · If you need a quiet space to work, try a computer station, or rooms that are not being used. You may need to go offsite to a library or coffee shop. · Schedule in times for you to work when other spaces aren’t busy (e.g. photocopy room or work in the kitchen space at the end of the day) · Create a “virtual wall” by using noise blocking headphones or listen to music without vocals if the space is too noisy. · Find out when staff do their paperwork and plan to join them during this time.
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