Change Agent
“Occupational therapists responsibly use their expertise and influence to advance occupation, occupational performance, and occupational engagement” (CAOT, 2012)
My
SKILLS
The role of advocacy on behalf of clients and the profession of occupational therapy in order to improve services and community change is critical in implementing change. During my first placement, I was placed in a role emerging placement, and was unsupervised by an OT. During the placement, I was challenged to implement a variety of modules with high school students. These modules centered on sleep, hygiene, and time management within a low socioeconomic status demographic. Focusing on basic ADLs were a way to collaborate with the students and use strategies to enable the empowerment of a specific population. Furthermore, in my second placement in an acute care setting, I was able to develop therapeutic relationships with clients, and develop strong assessment and intervention plans in order to evoke change.
Evidence
Placement 1 Preceptor
"Keira applies herself wholly to every task that she is assigned, and has exceptional attention to detail. She consistently maintained an enthusiastic, professional and confident presence in placement settings, and engaged clients in therapy and assessment quite naturally"
Placement 2 Preceptor A
"Keira begins planning for discharge from the start of her interactions with clients, beginning to prepare for next steps in order to ensure a smooth transition home. She is flexible when the treatment plan changes, and adjusts her interactions accordingly"
FUTURE
directions
Advocate for occupational potential engagement, and performance while balancing the ethical and professional issues inherent in client advocacy
Communicate the role and benefit of occupational therapy as part of a comprehensive interprofessional health care team