1. Advocates for clients who have been neglected or underrepresented in the system.
In the climate of today's world, so many people "fall through the cracks" and as a result are neglected or underrepresented. It is a personal and professional value of mine to represent said individuals. Although I feel it is my duty as an OT to provide the best possible care for all individuals, equity shall not be confused with equality. Many individuals will require additional advocacy and such should also not be confused with favoritism or preference. Advocacy in any form ensures all individuals receive the best possible care and opportunities. Below is a comment from my fieldwork educator on the Final Performance Evaluation at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital:
"Morgan has a strong set of ethics, maintains her integrity, and speaks up when needed as a patient advocate which lends to building respect and rapport with patients and team members." - Bobbi R., OTR/L
In the climate of today's world, so many people "fall through the cracks" and as a result are neglected or underrepresented. It is a personal and professional value of mine to represent said individuals. Although I feel it is my duty as an OT to provide the best possible care for all individuals, equity shall not be confused with equality. Many individuals will require additional advocacy and such should also not be confused with favoritism or preference. Advocacy in any form ensures all individuals receive the best possible care and opportunities. Below is a comment from my fieldwork educator on the Final Performance Evaluation at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital:
"Morgan has a strong set of ethics, maintains her integrity, and speaks up when needed as a patient advocate which lends to building respect and rapport with patients and team members." - Bobbi R., OTR/L
2. Fulfills commitments to the professional community.
Continued education and expansion of evidence is both a privilege and obligation to the profession and consumers. Although I have not yet lead/published my own research yet, I have participated in research. Prior to leaving for Level II fieldworks, I completed a set of questionnaires and completed them again following the second Level II fieldwork as a participant in Dr. Mitchell's research.
Continued education and expansion of evidence is both a privilege and obligation to the profession and consumers. Although I have not yet lead/published my own research yet, I have participated in research. Prior to leaving for Level II fieldworks, I completed a set of questionnaires and completed them again following the second Level II fieldwork as a participant in Dr. Mitchell's research.
3. Represents the unique perspective of occupational therapy when participating in
inter-professional situations.
Although occupational therapy has now been around over 100 years, it's still frequently misunderstood during inter-professional situations. Others may be under the impression OTs just work with hands, sensory issues, dressing, etc. During my time at Firefighters Burn Center, I had the opportunity to co-treat with a PT student daily. As can be read in the above Blackboard post, this interaction which resulted in me learning a lot more about PT and aided in my ability to view the body holistically and in return the PT student began to pick up on the unique value of OT.
inter-professional situations.
Although occupational therapy has now been around over 100 years, it's still frequently misunderstood during inter-professional situations. Others may be under the impression OTs just work with hands, sensory issues, dressing, etc. During my time at Firefighters Burn Center, I had the opportunity to co-treat with a PT student daily. As can be read in the above Blackboard post, this interaction which resulted in me learning a lot more about PT and aided in my ability to view the body holistically and in return the PT student began to pick up on the unique value of OT.
4. Assumes responsibility for professional behavior and growth, in accordance with
AOTA standards.
Professional growth is something I hope continues throughout my career. Although I would like to consider myself competent in the standards provided by AOTA, I hope to continue growing and improving myself professionally. Fieldwork has been a great experience to learn from multiple different therapist in various settings. I have learned that I do not have to try to be exactly like any one therapist because I have seen several people with very different styles and approaches, all of whom were excellent therapists. While on fieldwork I was very intentional in observing each individual and focused on my professional growth. Below is the rating system for performance on the Final Fieldwork Performance Evaluation. Additionally below are my scores on said evaluation where I received 4's (Exceeds standards) for all AOTA fieldwork performance standards per Bobbi R., OTR/L my fieldwork educator at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
AOTA standards.
Professional growth is something I hope continues throughout my career. Although I would like to consider myself competent in the standards provided by AOTA, I hope to continue growing and improving myself professionally. Fieldwork has been a great experience to learn from multiple different therapist in various settings. I have learned that I do not have to try to be exactly like any one therapist because I have seen several people with very different styles and approaches, all of whom were excellent therapists. While on fieldwork I was very intentional in observing each individual and focused on my professional growth. Below is the rating system for performance on the Final Fieldwork Performance Evaluation. Additionally below are my scores on said evaluation where I received 4's (Exceeds standards) for all AOTA fieldwork performance standards per Bobbi R., OTR/L my fieldwork educator at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
5. Functions autonomously and effectively in a broad array of service models.
Functioning autonomously and effectively a broad array of service models means that one has a wide range of skills both personally and professionally. In order to do so, one must be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. Additionally, one must have a range in skills. My experiences on each fieldwork have varied greatly which has provided me several opportunities for growth as an OT, a team member, and a person. By the end of each of my Level II fieldworks, I have been practicing at the level of an entry-level therapist with a full case load, completing all paperwork, collaborating with other disciplines, and attending meetings as necessary. I received great reviews from FWEs in the following settings with different service models including: Pediatrics, IP Psych, and Burns. During the IP psych rotation, each patient was acute and dealing with a crisis of some sort. The average stay was generally 3-5 days and the focus of care was to stabilize the individual and set them up with outpatient follow-up. The burns rotation was unique in that I was able to interact with individuals during the continuum of care from ICU, to step-down, to IP rehab, and to outpatient. Finally my outpatient pediatric rotation generally saw children 1x/week for extended periods of time, often patients are there for several years. Needless to say, my fieldwork experience covered a broad array of service models and I learned a great deal from each of them!
6. Upholds the AOTA Code of Ethics in practice.
Upholding ethical standards ensures safety and moral treatment for both patients and practitioners. Although most ethical standards coincide with general good moral values, there are times in practice when the lines become blurred and one must refer to the AOTA Code of Ethics to guide practice as they are a written standard for our profession. Below is a Blackboard post I had written during my rotation at the Regional One Health -
Firefighters Burn Center. The scenario below is about a time when myself, my fieldwork educator, and the burn rehab manager met to discuss a patient who we felt was not getting an appropriate referral from the MD as a result of the patient's mental illness. Although the doctor is not obligated to adhere to the AOTA Code of Ethics, we felt as though our patient was not being treated with justice and that we needed to advocate for a more appropriate referral. The burn rehab manager agreed with our decision and was the advocate for the patient with the doctor and others on the treatment team. This relates to the AOTA Code of Ethics principle Justice, specifically the following related standard of conduct that states occupational therapist shall, "Advocate for changes to systems and policies that are discriminatory or unfairly limit or prevent access to occupational therapy services."
Functioning autonomously and effectively a broad array of service models means that one has a wide range of skills both personally and professionally. In order to do so, one must be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. Additionally, one must have a range in skills. My experiences on each fieldwork have varied greatly which has provided me several opportunities for growth as an OT, a team member, and a person. By the end of each of my Level II fieldworks, I have been practicing at the level of an entry-level therapist with a full case load, completing all paperwork, collaborating with other disciplines, and attending meetings as necessary. I received great reviews from FWEs in the following settings with different service models including: Pediatrics, IP Psych, and Burns. During the IP psych rotation, each patient was acute and dealing with a crisis of some sort. The average stay was generally 3-5 days and the focus of care was to stabilize the individual and set them up with outpatient follow-up. The burns rotation was unique in that I was able to interact with individuals during the continuum of care from ICU, to step-down, to IP rehab, and to outpatient. Finally my outpatient pediatric rotation generally saw children 1x/week for extended periods of time, often patients are there for several years. Needless to say, my fieldwork experience covered a broad array of service models and I learned a great deal from each of them!
6. Upholds the AOTA Code of Ethics in practice.
Upholding ethical standards ensures safety and moral treatment for both patients and practitioners. Although most ethical standards coincide with general good moral values, there are times in practice when the lines become blurred and one must refer to the AOTA Code of Ethics to guide practice as they are a written standard for our profession. Below is a Blackboard post I had written during my rotation at the Regional One Health -
Firefighters Burn Center. The scenario below is about a time when myself, my fieldwork educator, and the burn rehab manager met to discuss a patient who we felt was not getting an appropriate referral from the MD as a result of the patient's mental illness. Although the doctor is not obligated to adhere to the AOTA Code of Ethics, we felt as though our patient was not being treated with justice and that we needed to advocate for a more appropriate referral. The burn rehab manager agreed with our decision and was the advocate for the patient with the doctor and others on the treatment team. This relates to the AOTA Code of Ethics principle Justice, specifically the following related standard of conduct that states occupational therapist shall, "Advocate for changes to systems and policies that are discriminatory or unfairly limit or prevent access to occupational therapy services."
7. Serves as a role model for honesty, integrity, and morally grounded decision making.
As mentioned in the standard above, there are instances in practice that are in the "gray area." More often than not our moral compass leads us to the approprIate decisions, although when in doubt the AOTA Code of Ethics is the guiding practice for our profession. Many of my fieldwork educators have been role models for myself for their honesty, integrity, and morally grounded decision making. I hope to do the same for others! Below is a comment from my FWE at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital - Behavioral Health Unit on the Final Fieldwork Performance Evaluation:
"Morgan has a strong set of ethics, maintains her integrity, and speaks up when needed as a patient advocate which lends to building respect and rapport with patients and team members." - Bobbi R., OTR/L
As mentioned in the standard above, there are instances in practice that are in the "gray area." More often than not our moral compass leads us to the approprIate decisions, although when in doubt the AOTA Code of Ethics is the guiding practice for our profession. Many of my fieldwork educators have been role models for myself for their honesty, integrity, and morally grounded decision making. I hope to do the same for others! Below is a comment from my FWE at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital - Behavioral Health Unit on the Final Fieldwork Performance Evaluation:
"Morgan has a strong set of ethics, maintains her integrity, and speaks up when needed as a patient advocate which lends to building respect and rapport with patients and team members." - Bobbi R., OTR/L