1. Demonstrates the ability to give constructive and timely feedback.
I have made it a point throughout both of my Level II Fieldwork placements to receive constructive feedback from my fieldwork educators. I always go into these situations open-minded and with the understanding that this feedback is to make me a better version of myself. I listen intently as I am provided feedback and then respond immediately in a respectful manner. In addition to learning how to receive feedback, I had the opportunity to give feedback. I provided consistent feedback to various patients throughout their treatment sessions regarding the activities being performed. I made sure to deliver this feedback in a respectful and constructive manner that would be received well by the specific patient. I was also able to provide feedback to the Level 1 student that I mentored regarding proper body mechanics and strategies for treatment sessions/activities. I was able to change my approach for each specific person based off of the way they best receive feedback.
2. Modifies behavior in response to feedback; seeks opportunities to apply feedback.
As I said in the previous prompt, I listen intently when I am being provided feedback that is intended to better myself as an Occupational Therapy Practitioner. I take in this information to use it for the benefit of patients, co-workers, and myself. I utilize the feedback given to me through modifying the strategies and/or approaches I am currently using. I enjoy receiving feedback to optimize my professional growth. Therefore, I seek feedback from my fieldwork educators, patients, and co-workers.
3. Productively uses knowledge of own strengths and weaknesses.
During my second Level II Fieldwork placement, I had the opportunity to become familiar with my top 5 strengths. The fieldwork site tends to prioritize leadership, growth opportunities, and team building. They also focuses on enhancing your strengths and growing your weaknesses. I was able to complete an assessment that presented me with my top 5 strengths, 1. Positivity, 2. Includer, 3. Consistency, 4. Woo, and 5. Communication. I felt as though these results were very accurate. As far as my weaknesses, I have continuously been growing and addressing them throughout my placements. My weaknesses consist of being a perfectionist and too detail-oriented. I work on these constantly.
4. Maintains balance in personal and professional life while prioritizing professional responsibilities and commitments.
I have always valued a true work-life balance throughout OT school and my fieldwork placements. I manage to participate in the things I love to do outside of work and school, while also maintaining my work load. I was consistently early throughout each of my fieldwork placements and I prioritized reading during this time. I utilized my free time to engage in the things I value most outside of work. I love to read, spend time with family/friends, play pickleball, play with my puppy, and enjoy the outdoors.
5. Demonstrates functional level of confidence and self assurance.
I have struggled previously with being comfortable and confident throughout my engagements. Throughout OT school, I noticed I improved in my confidence and self-assurance. It was not until my Level II Fieldwork placements that I began to feel myself blossom and have a drastic increase in my confidence and self-assurance. I am now confident in myself and know that I am capable. 6. Uses humor to diffuse tension.
I have always believed that having a good sense of humor is an important quality to have. I have managed to utilize humor appropriately throughout my years in school, personal situations, and during my placements. There is one instance that really stands out to me when thinking back on this topic. I have added a picture of the story below for reference. This was a small situation that demonstrated the way humor can diffuse tension, even in pediatrics, with the patients and staff while also keeping the patient's needs and care first.
7. Maintains professional behavior, regardless of problem or situation.
I have always been proud of my professional behaviors that I have maintained throughout various situations. I believe in order to be successful in any line of work that this quality is extremely important to have. Even though I am proud of how I have these skills, I have noticed my ability to continue to enhance these skills throughout my placements and plan to continue to do so throughout my entire career.
8. Takes risks to maximize outcomes.
I believe that no good things can come from life without your willingness to take risks. By taking risks, you are optimizing your potential and your opportunity for growth. I make it a point to take risks in both my personal and professional life. I have attached a picture with one instance that comes to mind. The risk in this situation was putting various individuals together and hoping that they would get along and bond together rather than harp on the negatives or not get along.
9. Uses knowledge and information in an innovative way.
Throughout both of my Level II Fieldwork placements, I strove to utilize all of the knowledge I have accumulated during my time in OT school and Level I rotations. It can be extremely overwhelming trying to rack your brain for the information that you are positive you know in a quick and effective manner while making sure the information is accurate. This is especially hard when you are still new at practicing and utilizing this information in the field. I had found that with both my pediatrics and adult rotations that if I had the most common information on me at all times that it was more efficient and less time consuming. I made sure to keep a keychain with all things pediatrics such as developmental milestones, grips, and assessments with me during this rotation. During my adult rotation, I had a keychain with all things adults such as MMT, ROM, and brachial plexus on me at all times. I found this way of using my knowledge was very beneficial to me during my placements.
10. Empowers clients and team members.
I have mentioned before about how I was able to mentor a Level I Fieldwork student for one week during my second Level II Fieldwork placement. The experience was one that I will never forget. The student was very appreciative to my help and guidance. She demonstrated an increase in confidence throughout just the week she was with us. I could tell that she was becoming more confident and comfortable as time went on and after I offered her some tips/tricks that helped me to grow in this experience. My fieldwork educator even allowed us to treat patients together for an entire day which helped us each to grow and empower each other as well as the patients.
11. Actively participants in leadership or supportive roles in local, state, and/or national associations.
I have had the opportunity to become a member to various associations for occupational therapy. I was an active member in our COTAD chapter at UTHSC and attended each event to show my support for the organization. I was also an active member in our SOTA chapter at UTHSC and made sure to contribute as much as I could. I was a member of TNOTA while attending OT school at UTHSC and living in Tennessee. I am a current member of AOTA and plan to continue this membership throughout the rest of my OT career. I plan to become a member of LOTA since I will be moving back to Louisiana and contribute to this organization in any way that I possibly can. I have already made an effort to show my support for LOTA by attending their previous Fall LOTA Conference in Monroe, LA.
12. Maintains values over self-promotion or profit.
I have had the opportunity to grow and flourish throughout both of my Level II Fieldwork placements. I have managed to enhance my creative skills throughout this process especially when it comes to intervention plans and activities. I have had moments to shine when I introduce a new activity that is a client motivator and highly successful where I will take credit for it since it is my own work. I make sure to acknowledge whether I found an idea online or from my fieldwork educator and/or co-workers. If a client is enjoying an activity and begins asking questions inquiring about the specific activity or trying to offer praise for the idea, then I immediately redirect them to the proper source to give credit where it is due. After all, we are all working together towards a common goal and putting the client's needs/wants before our own so that should always remain the priority.