The 101 on Level II Fieldwork

So what's Level II Fieldwork mean?

Nothing to an onlooker. Quite a bit to me and my peers. It's the moment we've been longing for with anticipation since the day our graduate program for occupational therapy began 17 months ago. The day we can put away text books and come face to face with clients. The day we can write up documentation on real people rather than a scenario from p. 384 of the textbook. The day I am eager to witness, experience, and write home about.... The day you question if you've learned enough and are nervous like the first day of high school all over again..

How did we get to this point?

So basically I've completed all the course work of my grad program to become an occupational therapist. Each semester you have a Level I Fieldwork which is like a baby fieldwork, something 10-20 hours of mostly observation or running group sessions with partners. Working on general skills for older adults, children, or people with physical or mental diagnoses. Level II Fieldwork is a 12-week, full-time experience when you are paired with an occupational therapist (OT) and gradually take over the caseload. By the end of the 12 weeks, the expectation is that you are competent to be an entry-level OT.

What are the potential options?

Occupational therapists work all over! Placements I've heard about include:

Pediatrics (early intervention, schools, outpatient clinic, sensory clinic)
Adults (hospitals, nursing home/skilled nursing facility, home healthcare services, clubhouse, day hab center)
Specialty areas (hand therapy clinic, veteran's hospital, mental health hospital, spinal cord injury unit, traumatic brain injury unit)

What's next?

So you have two Level II Fieldwork placements, one after the other. Two 12-week assignments in two very different settings to gain exposure to all that the world of OT can offer. AKA, 6 months of full-time work without pay. Yippee! After passing both fieldworks, you study for the national boards exam (NBCOT) and schedule a test date. Take the test, wait for the results, and upon passing, apply for jobs!!

My Placements

I have to keep it general and confidential here in order to speak on my experiences. My first Level II is in early intervention, which consists of home visits for children ages 0-3 years who have developmental delays or diagnoses. My second Level II is at a community mental health setting.

Comments

Nicaragua

Nicaragua. Upside down and backwards from what I knew in the States. Or just different. Depends on your point of view. You adjust you thinking when in a place that's not your own. And I'm sure I'll experience reverse culture shock when re-entering the States in 2 months. I thought I'd be fun to share some things that are now a part of my world here. And share random photos of places and food. Learning your way around town... most streets don't have names. Homes don't have numbers or addresses. Addresses are stories with reference points. I stand in awe each time I'm with someone following directions to a new location. It's incredible we find places. (our neighbor's dog Max) Mail is tricky. Not the system we have in the U.S. So no online shopping and 2 day shipping. Amazon doesn't deliver here. It takes 2-3 months to correspond with the States; that is if the item makes it to the destination. If you want something you can't buy...

Nicaragua: 2 Month Mark!

Nicaragua is beautiful. Just gorgeous. It's a hidden gem and I'm so grateful for the chance to live life here for a time. We all get different seasons in our lives that we can only live once. Somehow it's taken 2 months for me to figure that out. Whatever season you're in, I encourage you to enjoy it and find something good in each day. Tattered bridge that people walk over daily Volcan Masaya La Playa Let me brag about the people here: they are so patient. They're patient with my Spanish. Patient when there's no water. Patient when the WiFi or power go out. They are eager to serve each other and quick to meet the needs of others. I feel so selfish here over and over again. There's a community mindset vs. individualism and it's amazing to be a part of. People's schedules are fluid and family comes first. If someone has a need, they meet it without keeping score. Wow... the love runs deep. Clinically, I'm seeing:...

Nicaragua Month 3

Hello friends! As month 3 comes to an end, just want to update with some quick photos and stories. Please keep Nicaragua in your prayers - the political unrest and economic side-effects are far from over. The common people are feeling it and need strength for each day. This beautiful country and its people are teaching me so much. I am regularly eating large helpings of humble pie. Two weeks ago, a whole pie. But so much good is coming from this experience - even the tough parts. Some sound bites to sum up some of the lessons: You can't change people. I'm a blip here. Nicaragua operated without me and will again just fine when I'm gone. Ask questions. There's a history behind how things got to where they are. The impact you leave may not be tangible or palpable and that's ok. Messy is beautiful. Trust your schooling - you know more than you think. This was never about me. I'm a small piece of a much bigger story. Some snapshots of life her...

Amy OT

Search This Blog