Orchard Grove, Western Road, Clonakilty | Contact Number: 083 838 5961
Email: sineadclancy1234@gmail.com | Linkedin: Sinéad Clancy
The Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland (AOTI) has developed a set of core competencies for newly graduated occupational therapists (Now including myself!!).
These competencies are intended to guide the development of entry-level occupational therapy practice in Ireland.
Below I have provided some examples demonstrating how I achieve the core competencies of a graduate/ entry level occupational therapist.
Placement Locations:
Year 2 (Paediatrics Psychosocial): CoAction, West Cork
Year 3 (Adult Physical): Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre
Year 4 (Adult Physical): Mallow General Hospital
On practice placements I continuously used occupation in intervention by collaborating with clients to identify meaningful occupations that were relevant to their goals and values.
I incorporated evidence-based interventions that utilized occupation as a therapeutic medium, such as therapeutic exercise, activity analysis, and sensory integration.
By incorporating occupation into my interventions, I helped clients achieve their goals and engage in meaningful occupations that improved their physical, psychological, and social well-being.
As an occupational therapy student on acute care placement, I built therapeutic and professional relationships by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and effective communication skills with patients and other healthcare professionals.
By fostering trust and collaboration, I created a safe and supportive environment that promotes the patient's engagement in meaningful activities and contributes to their recovery and overall well-being.
On my primary care placement I adopted total communication strategies.
I did this by using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication for the client I was working with, such as clear language, attentive body language, and open-ended questions.
This allowed me to establish a rapport with these clients and promote their engagement in the therapeutic process.
On my acute care placement I worked effectively as part of a team by demonstrating collaboration, flexibility, and respect for the roles and expertise of other healthcare professionals.
By actively engaging in interdisciplinary communication and decision-making, I contributed to the development and implementation of comprehensive and coordinated care plans that addressed the unique needs and goals of patients in the acute care setting.
As an occupational therapy student on acute care placement, I facilitated the occupational therapy process by conducting comprehensive assessments of the patient's occupational performance, developing individualized treatment plans that address their unique needs and goals, and implementing evidence-based interventions that promote their engagement in meaningful activities.
By collaborating with the healthcare team, monitoring the patient's progress, and making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan, I facilitated the patient's recovery, rehabilitation, and overall well-being.
On my primary care placement, I managed a caseload of 14 clients independently by conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and implementing evidence-based interventions that address their unique conditions and needs.
Through effective time management and prioritization, I ensured that each client received appropriate attention and care, while also monitoring their progress and making necessary modifications to their treatment plans.
I have demonstrated professional reasoning throughout my clinical placement by utilizing my knowledge and understanding of occupational therapy theory, evidence-based practice, and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about assessment, intervention, and discharge planning for clients with various conditions and needs.
Through critical thinking, reflection, and ongoing evaluation, I ensured that my interventions were based on the best available evidence, met the unique needs and goals of each client, and were appropriate to the client's stage of recovery.
Throughout practice placements I have demonstrated professional behaviour by upholding the values, principles, and ethical standards of the occupational therapy profession. This includes maintaining confidentiality, respecting the dignity and autonomy of clients, and promoting their safety and well-being.
Through effective communication, teamwork, and ongoing professional development, I also demonstrated my commitment to lifelong learning, reflective practice, and the continued improvement of my skills and knowledge as an occupational therapy student.
In my primary care and acute care placement I demonstrated providing a quality service by engaging in resource development.
I collaborated with other healthcare professionals to identify gaps in service provision and developed resources to address these gaps, such as patient education materials, therapy protocols, and evidence-based practice guidelines.
By promoting the use of these resources and sharing my knowledge and expertise, I contributed to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that meets the unique needs and goals of clients with various conditions and needs.
Throughout practice placements I demonstrated providing evidence-based practice and research by utilizing current research findings and best practices to inform my clinical decision-making and interventions.
I engaged in critical appraisal of the literature, incorporated client-centered goals and preferences, and evaluated the effectiveness of my interventions through ongoing assessment and documentation.
By staying up-to-date with the latest research and contributing to the evidence base through my own research projects, I ensured that my interventions were grounded in the best available evidence and tailored to the unique needs and goals of each client.
I could provide context to the practice by demonstrating an understanding of the social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence occupational performance and health.
I engaged in holistic assessments that considered the client's physical, psychological, social, and environmental contexts, and tailored my interventions to address the unique barriers and facilitators to their engagement in meaningful occupations.
By working collaboratively with clients, families, and communities, I ensured that my interventions were relevant and responsive to the context in which clients live, work, and play.
I demonstrated a commitment to continuing professional development by engaging in a variety of learning activities that expanded my knowledge and skills in the field of occupational therapy for example online courses on: pressure care, friendly living for dementia users, wheelchair accessibility.
I sought out feedback from my clinical supervisors, reflected on my practice, and actively pursued opportunities to learn from more experienced therapists. By participating in conferences, workshops, and online courses, and staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices, I ensured that I was continually improving my knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality care to my clients.