General Admissions & OTCAS How to get observation hours?

[occupationaltherapist2018]

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Hello, I am trying to get observation hours in different facilities, however, I work M-F during usual business hours. I have volunteered/interned with an OT but I have no proof of the hours because of the lost paperwork. I have a few hours (less than 40) that are documented. NYIT requires 100 documented hours, Kean is 40,etc. Is there anything anyone recommends? I can't really quit my job to volunteer or observe...

 

[Soon2BeOT123]

I worked a full time job while I was getting my observation hours and ended up finding a couple places that worked with my schedule! I basically just googled OT facilities in my area and reached out to as many as possible. I found one OT that saw patients in the evening one night a week and was willing to let me come in weekly to observe. I also found a hippotherapy center that I volunteered at on Saturdays. It's all about being persistent and reaching out to as many OTs as possible until you find something that sticks!

 

[future0t0906]

In my experience SNFS and peds therapy clinics usually have weekend hours. They may be shortened shifts (like a therapist might work a half day instead of a full day) but you could still build up hours that way. Also hand therapists in my experience sometimes have evening hours because some people come to therapy after work. I would just start googling/calling/emailing locations in your area to find places that work for your schedule!

 

[OTinWonderland]

Hand therapists have evening hours. You can try a skilled nursing facility on the weekend as well. I knew an OT who worked full time and took a week off work just for observation hours. He planned it ahead of time of course.