Pre-OT Resources

Virtual Shadowing

While this may not replace or substitute in-person shadowing hours of an OT, the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Department of Occupational Therapy created 6 virtual observation modules (4 hours each) that includes:

  1. What is Occupational Therapy?

  2. Occupational Therapy with Children

  3. Occupational Therapy with Adults

  4. Occupational Therapy and Persons with Intellectual Disability

  5. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

  6. Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology

What is Occupational Therapy?

The main role of an occupational therapist is to help injured, ill or disabled people of all ages--from newborns to the elderly--regain their ability to perform everyday tasks. Patients may be dealing with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental issues. After assessing the patient, the OT will map out a plan to help the patients meet their goals, which can range anywhere from being able to brush their teeth or grasp a pencil, to walking steadily ("occupations" are these meaningful everyday activities that people do). The need for OTs is expected to increase as baby boomers age and still strive to live life to their fullest. There's also been an increase in the diagnosis of autism, and an increasing demand for school-based OTs. They may work in academia, nursing facilities, schools, hospitals, or mental-health facilities.

This video shows the distinct value of occupational therapy with clients of different ages and across practice settings. From a child with autism to a wounded warrior with a double amputation to an older adult aging in place, these clients highlight how occupational therapy looked at all aspects of their lives to help them achieve their goals:

Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practitioners Promote Play for Families to Benefit Mental Wellness

Play is an important occupation for children - through play children can develop motor, cognitive, and social-emotional skills, as well as creativity and problem-solving ability. Occupational therapy practitioners facilitate a child's participation in play and its impact on their overall well-being by addressing physical, social, and mental health. Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled in helping families and children to more actively participate in healthy play activities, effectively play with their children, and adapt toys and activities for those with disabilities to enable them to participate.

Gain Experience

Interested in shadowing at ATI on the first floor of the LLC? Apply for ATI's Student Observation Program (specify clinic locations on application)

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

Gain volunteering/shadowing experience by committing at least six months of service or a minimum of 100 volunteer hours. You can apply to volunteer in the following departments: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy or the Nutrition. Learn more about the application process for shadowing opportunities.

Good Shepherd

Based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd is a nationally recognized rehabilitation leader, offering a continuum of care for people with injuries, complex medical needs and physical and/or cognitive disabilities. More than 60,000 adults and children come to Good Shepherd each year for specialized programs in stroke, orthopedics and sports injuries, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and more.

Consider your skills and talents by volunteering in the following ways from a variety of their sites and outpatient locations:

  • Companion to our long-term care residents

  • Patient/resident transporter

  • Patient ambassador

  • Clerical assistant

Good Shepherd Penn Partners is a joint venture between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine that offers a variety of unique volunteer opportunities as well: