Fieldwork week 8

I been observing clients in an outpatient setting at Licking Memorial Hospital outpatient rehabilitation for the last 8 weeks. I was observing 2days/week for a total of 10 wks. I observed clients receiving occupational therapy with a numerous variety of diagnoses. I observed many wrist, elbow, and finger fractures. Dislocations of the shoulder, wrist and finger joints. I observed treatment for CVA patients, including cognitive issues, physical issues and ADL’s. I also observed a few pediatric patients who were diagnosed with developmental delay.

My initial goal was to be more informed about the procedures for documenting, treatment, and different diagnoses of clients. I wanted to learn more about how clients was treated with the different diagnoses. I wanted to learn how to document correctly. I also wanted to learn how to use terminology correctly.

I feel that I have improved in my ability to document progress notes. I feel more comfortable with writing soap notes and narrative notes. I also feel that my knowledge of the practices of O.T. have increased a great deal. Through fieldwork I have been able to take what I have learned in the class room and take it to my fieldwork facility with a better understanding. I have also learned how OT’s and OTA’s work together as a team.

I will discontinued fieldwork level I for my first year as a OTA student. I will continue with my regular OTA courses until ready for my fieldwork level II next spring. Jessica Batross S/OTA

Add comment May 30, 2009 jessbatross

Fieldwork 7

S:  My OT reports that I am really doing well in fildwork. He stated that he would really like to see me come back again for my level II fieldwork at their facility. He also reports that I hold very good work ethics, I am dependable, and show great communication skills with the clients.

O: This week I helped measure ROM with my OTA. I did very well, I had the same number that my OTA had. I observed another evaluation this week on a client who had suffered from a left CVA. I also observed a client receive neuromusclular electrical stimulation.

A: I am really starting to improve my ROM measuring skills. My technique, goniometer placement, and readings are improving greatly. My understanding of evaluations and the details of evaluations are also improving. I am still very confused about all the procedures, the reasoning, and the history behind electrical stimulation. I am very interested in the modality.

P: I plan to finish out my last week next week. I have only 13hrs left to finish on my fieldwork. I will continue next week until finished as planned by my OTA 130 directed Practice instructor. Jessica Batross S/OTA

3 comments May 23, 2009 jessbatross

fieldwork Week 6

S: My OTA reports that I am doing great! My OTA stated she is very impressed with my knowledge and ambition with Occupational Therapy. She also stated that she would love for me to come and work with them at Licking Memorial Hospital Outpatient Rehab.

O: This week I was able to help with serial casting a finger. The OTA let me help with holding the finger into extension and also trying to wrap the finger. I also watched a 5 year old who has demonstrated developmental delay, engage in occupational therapy. The OTA helped the child with holding colored pencil and coloring. ALso she demonstrated how to cut with scissors with the child.

A:  I really enjoyed hwlping with serial casting. It was a liitle messy, but it was very neat to see how it starts out a bandage, then within a few minutes hardens into a cast keeping the patient’s finger in extension. I he client demonstated a lack of knowledge in the purpose and the use of the scissors. I really enjoyed observing the pediatric approach to occupational therapy.

P:  I will continue to do my level I fieldwork for the next week until finished. I now have 88 fieldwork hours and I will finish my last 12 hours next week.  Jessica Batross S/OTA

1 comment May 17, 2009 jessbatross

fieldwork week 5

This week has been going very well. I was able to help in MMT on a patient. We were doing testing on the patient’s R wrist. The OTA did the testing first and did not tell me what her score was. Then, she had me do the testing to see what I thought. I gave the patient 4/5 because I gave moderate resistance and the patient did not break. My OTA had the same score! This really helped me with our upcoming midterm and help me to really understand MMT and MMS. It is a lot different to see it on an actual patient.

I was also included in the measuring ROM. I think I did very well, but I was very nervous about it! I think that the more we do the measurements, the more we will catch on and it will just be like second nature to us!

Everything else is still going very well. I now have 75 hours in and I am continuing to go to my site 10hrs/wk for the next 2 wks. I will be very upset when my time is up. I am really starting to develop a relationship with the staff at LMH rehab. and the patients who having been coming the whole time that I have been there. I am just trying to absorb as much information in the next two weeks as possible. I will always be greatful to the OT and the OTA’s who have really helped me to understand their procedures, therapies, and explanations.

Add comment May 9, 2009 jessbatross

Fieldwork week 4

Things are going very well! Each week the materials that we learn in class are starting to become very clear. I take what I learn in class and then see the same actions at my site. When I see actually being administered to a patient, I can really absorb the information. I have now seen five different evaluations. I always jump to observe these! I really wish that we would be able to continue our fieldwork throughout the whole year so that I could still everything done on actual patients.

I did my interview this week. It went very well, the patient was great! She was very willing to give me any information that I needed. When I was finished asking her my questions, she asked me questions as well about school. I did the activity interests questionaire with her. I feel as though I have enough information for my paper.

My supervisor is still great with me. They all treat me very well, you would not even know that I did not work there. Also, the whole staff is so willing to explain everything that they are doing with the patients, before, during, and after. I can ask any questions and they are always answered very well!

Things are going great and I hope that it continues this way! I can not wait until next week, I look forward to every week in fieldwork. I now have 63 hours and I will continue to go 2x/week for the next three weeks.

1 comment May 4, 2009 jessbatross

week 3 fieldwork

This week has been very beneficial! I feel like a lot of things we have learned have really been put into place at my filedwork site. This week after observing a patient, my OTA sat down to document her progress report. She gave me a blank document and told me to try to write my first SOAP note. She said to just write down everything that I thought should be included. After I was finished, she told me I did a great job! My supervisor told me that he was impressed with how well I did. This of course made me feel really good! I would love to keep my SOAP note and go back and look at it after I been an OTA for a while and see how I how improved.

I sat in on an evaluation this week also. I watched very carefully how they measured ROM. The pieces are starting to fall into place. My supervisor told me that if I practice and measure correctly, I will not even have to think about it, I will just do it. He says it is not as hard as I think.

I am hoping next week that I will be able to see a CVA patient. There was a patient scheduled this week, but they had to cancel their appointment. The only problem with the OP rehabilitation is the lack of variety of patients. Although, my knowledge of orthopedic injuries should be very good!

Progress note-(narrative) I look forward to every week at clinicals. I find myself getting excited to go every week. I value this opportunity for a great learning experience and I am thankful to my supervisor and the OTA’s for really making me feel welcome. I know that I will learn something new with every patient I observe. I will continue to observe at Licking Memorial Hospital Oupatient Rehabilitation every week for the next seven weeks.    Jessica Batross S/OTA

2 comments April 20, 2009 jessbatross

week 2 fieldwork

I had a great week. I am finding that the more time I spend at my facility, the more I want to stay and work! I get so excited to learn more about OT and really see it put into to play with the clients. It os amazing to watch the clients start therapy and then see how much they have improved in just a matter of a couple weeks. I have been observing one client in particular who had very limited flex in his four fingers of his R hand, which is his dominant hand. This really discouraged him because he loves to work in the garage on machines and cars. He has not been able to engage in these activities. He was not even able to button his shirt. The OTA has been working on stretching and strengthening in his fingers. She performed massages on his fingers, stretching, putty with pegs, and the 9 hole peg test. This week he was able to perform the 9 hole peg test in 39 seconds. Which means that yes, he was able to button his shirt. He was so excited to come in and tell the OTA of his achievement. It was such a great feeling to witness his accomplishment and to see how far he had come in just a few weeks.

My supervisor and the other OTA’s have been great. They explain everything to me, why, when and how, they are doing a particular treatment or exercise. They are all very open to questions that I may have. I feel that I have really learned and understood an enormous amount of information. It is great to read and listen in lecture different materials and then see them in a real life situation.

Progress Note: I enjoy my time on fieldwork and working with the staff at Licking Memorial Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation. I have completed 39 of my required hours of fieldwork and I can not wait until next week to observe and learn more about the practice of OT and the different therapy techniques that aid in improving the lives of our community.  Jessica Batross S/OTA

1 comment April 19, 2009 jessbatross

It is very nice to be to talk back and forth even though we are not in the same seminars. I just hope I am doing this back and forth comments correctly! I am not quite comfortable with it yet! Thanks for chatting with though! I love hearing about your fieldwork and your experiences! Jess

Add comment April 5, 2009 jessbatross

fieldwork week 1

I had my first two days of field work Thursday and Friday. I was so nervous about it. I was not sure what they expected of me. I was not sure when the therapist was working with the patients, when I should talk, when I shouldn’t talk? Also, how much they wanted me to be involved? It was a little hard on my nerves!

As soon as I arrived at the facility, I was introduced to so many people. The whole therapy department work in one building seperate from the Hospital. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech are together. I met a lot of them. They all made me feel very welcome. They treated me as if I was part of the team already! It was great.

I did not get to see a lot of different patients and diagnoses yet, but I am sure that I will. Most of the patients were there for hand therapy. I became very familiar with the joints and the bones of the hand. It was so neat to hear Kim talk about the bones and joints just Wednesday, then see the injuries and therapy on real patients! 

My Supervisor said that I will see more of a variety as the weeks go on. My supervisor is great, he explains everything very well, and is always willing to answer questions I have. Sometimes I wonder if I am asking too many questions?

Can’t wait until next week! It is already a wonderful experience!

Initial Note- I am assigned to Licking Memorial Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation. I will observe 2x/wk for a total of 10 wks. This will continue for a total of 100 hrs. My Supervisor’s name is Tim Argyle, he is a OTR/L in the facility. I look forward to completing my level I fieldwork in the completion of my OTA education.

5 comments April 3, 2009 jessbatross

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7 comments April 1, 2009 jessbatross