Student Blog
Fieldwork

One Week Down, 17 More To Go ⟩
January 23, 2014, by Ryan

Fieldwork

Well, I have finished my first week of my last semester of school! (I am probably going to use that phrase a lot because it sounds so great . . . “my last semester!”) I am very excited about my classes. I have loved how our schedules have been set up for us so far this past year and a half, but it is really nice to be in classes that I have chosen. There is a different excitement about each class. Yesterday, I had my first clinical observation at Keck Medical Center for my Acute Care course I am taking. I was a little nervous at first because I haven’t spent a lot of time in hospitals, but that is why I signed up for this course! Last semester, I completed my Level I Fieldwork for Adult Rehab in a hand clinic so I wasn’t able to see a big variety of diagnoses.

I really enjoyed my experience at Keck. The beginning of the morning was spent completing our orientation and filling out paper work. Then I was able to shadow Dr. Don Gordon who is a practicing therapist at Keck and has been a guest lecture for two of my classes since I’ve been in the program. He is very nice and an engaging speaker so I was happy to hang out with him yesterday as well as see him in action. It was great! I saw three patients with a variety of reasons for being in the hospital; one individual had recent spinal surgery, another person had gastrointestinal problems, and then I saw a man living with liver dysfunction and Hepatitis. Observing Dr. Gordon, I truly saw a client-centered approach with each patient we saw. He does a wonderful job sitting to talk and listen to his patients. Each person had their own difficulties that were causing them discomfort but I could see how they all appreciated the time we took to just talk and hear about who they were. The focus was not only on their physical impairments but also on the things or people in their lives before coming to the hospital or even before they were sick or had any pain. I left very uplifted and inspired! I love OT!!! (Another phrase I think I use a lot, but I mean it . . . I LOVE OT!!).

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So excited for Thanksgiving! ⟩
November 26, 2013, by Ryan

Fieldwork School/Life Balance

Holy Moly, am I ready for a break! This has been such a great semester and I can’t believe that I only have one more semester here at school, but I am definitely ready for a couple days off to stuff myself with family and turkey! Last week was my last day at my Level 1 Fieldwork site. I was really sad, and surprised how sad I was. At first, I was excited to have Wednesdays off for the last couple weeks of school. I brought in “thank you” gifts for all the staff and was very happy with what I came up with. During my time at the clinic, they moved locations and had a small display of plants that I wanted to add to so I brought them a beautiful orchid (that matched the color scheme of the other plants), I thought that was a nice touch. There was a day that we shared what socks we all were wearing under our scrubs and they all had crazy colored socks . . . soooo, I found some crazy socks at Macy’s (3 in a pack, with 3 therapists in the office . . . perfect!). Then on another day, a patient had found an amazing recipe for brownies in a magazine so I made a couple of copies for people in the office. Of course, I had to make the brownies . . . and they were amazing!!! I realized that I had put in so much time and wanted to give such thoughtful gifts for the therapists because I liked the clinic so much. I thought the therapists were very nice, fun, and relaxed especially during stressful moments in the clinic. They also did a great job at challenging me with questions and little projects throughout my time there to make my experience educational as well. The patients that came into the clinic during my fieldwork were great, too! I saw a lot of interesting injuries and impairments. I met many people who enjoyed sharing their stories as well as hearing about my own, and most importantly . . . what is occupational therapy. Man, in a hand clinic a lot of people came in thinking they were getting physical therapy! I was quick to tell them that was not the case. I think the therapists on site gained some new ways to explain OT in a short and concise way, too. Well, I had a great last day and I think I have made great contacts for when I start to practice. So now I am ready to finish the semester after the thanksgiving break and complete my 3 exams, 2 presentations, and 2 papers in the next 2 weeks!!! Eeeekkk! Well, I am thankful for my amazing family and friends that constantly lift me up and for finding the greatest profession in the world at the most supportive and inspiring school! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

P.S. Just wanted to share that I am listening to Christmas music in the office as I wrote this. 😊

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Last Day of Level I Fieldwork ⟩
November 19, 2013, by Jen

Fieldwork

I cannot believe that today was my last day of level 1 fieldwork. Level 1 fieldwork introduces students to a specific occupational therapy setting (my fieldwork this semester was in the pediatric setting) and allows students to apply what they have been learning in class into practice. My experiences this semester at my fieldwork site have really helped me develop a better understanding of what occupational therapists are able to do in the pediatric setting. I love working with children and families, so I am definitely going to miss the people I have met during my final level 1 fieldwork.

I am thankful that I have found such a rewarding field to work in and a population that I genuinely enjoy working with.

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Kid-tastic! ⟩
October 18, 2013, by Clarissa

Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

Last week, I got to spend every day with kids, yay! At USC there’s one full week out of the first three semesters that the students spend at fieldwork and I’m at a school-based pediatric site this semester. I went with my clinical instructor (CI) to several schools for most of each day and then to a clinic for about two treatment sessions before wrapping up. It was really great meeting all the kids that my CI works with, observing her treatments, participating in partial treatments, and also trying out my fine motor toolkit! I practiced documentation too, which wasn’t too stimulating, but I’m still grateful since it’s a necessary part of clinical work.

Anyway, back to the fun stuff! As you read, last week I created a fine motor toolkit and I used it to implement treatments on a few of the kids with fieldwork. My favorite activity was one I call Tennis Ball Monster where I used a tennis ball with a slit cut into it for the mouth and with a face drawn on. I then instructed the child to squeeze the tennis ball so the mouth opens and it can eat pom poms! This is to trick the kid into doing several things on my hidden agenda like hand strengthening, practicing a particular grasp that would eventually help the kid with writing, developing the arches of the hand, and work on thumb opposition which is integral to several types of grasps. Like my pediatrics professor says, “The trick is to outsmart the kid.” Muahaha.

Seriously, though, the creativity is one element of occupational therapy that I love. We’re all motivated in different ways and I love the challenge of tapping into what intrinsically motivates each client.

I don’t know about you, but my fine motor toolkit would be motivating to me, even now! Look at all the animals and colors!

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Planning for the future ⟩
October 17, 2013, by Rob

Classes Fieldwork What are OS/OT?

This is an exciting time to be a second-year student. After getting back from our full week of fieldwork on Monday, my Inbox started filling up for future things to do. First, I had to submit my application for the OTD program. After a lot of thought and consultation with faculty and fellow students, I decided it was the best decision for myself and my future in the profession. I’m looking forward to exploring possible residency sites in the next few month as I try to work out a fun and educational yearlong experience. Find out more on the OTD here.

I’m also starting to plan the elective courses I will be taking this spring. We have two required classes and then up to 12 additional elective units. The program is very structured for the first three semesters, but the final semester is exciting because it gives all of us students the chance to specialize in an area of interest. I’m going to be taking the Universal Design class as well as an independent study on disability studies in occupational therapy. The only sad part is that our cohorts (the three groups that we were divided into at the beginning of the program) will be splitting up. I have made some really good friends in my cohort — spending hours playing on the pediatric equipment, making splints, studying, eating lunch and basically living together for a year and a half has created tremendous camaraderie, and I’ll miss it. But that just means we will have to get some potlucks and themed parties going to bring us back together!

The last big decision on my plate is where to do my Level II Fieldwork next summer. Since I was a teaching assistant this past summer for the foundational courses the first-year’s take, I will be doing both my Level IIs back-to-back after I graduate in May. I’m going to Philadelphia for my second Level II to work on an interdisciplinary program for older adults that focuses on aging in place, something I am very passionate about. I’m still exploring places to do my first Level II here in LA. I’m leaning toward mental health, but I still have a few more weeks to get things figured out.

Whatever I choose will shape the future of my next few years in the program. But no pressure, right?

Also, a big round of applause to fellow Ambassador Jen! She has posted a whopping eight blog posts thus far. I’ll have to step up my game in the second half of the semester!

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