Observation hours

[Twomoreclasses]

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How did you get your observation hours? I've called and emailed every place in Dallas I can think of and everyone says no. I dont know what to think if I worked really hard for good grades and I can't apply because everyone tells me no. 🙁 If you know any place in the Dallas area that accepts volunteers can you forward it to me.

 

[jemini99]

You should try nursing homes. In addition, I did 120 hours of observation time with 3 different OTs and settings: hands, skilled nursing and pediatrics clinic. I called over 100 places and I observed at the three places that said yes. Just keep calling and leaving messages.

 

[WinginIt]

I had a hard time getting people to answer my calls also. You just have to keep at it. Whip out the yellow pages and look up Rehab and keep calling. Look up rehab clinics in hospitals. Call schools because they have OTs working there too. Don't give up.

 

[Penguinita]

Try going to pre-schools, and k-12 schools. I volunteered 20hrs in one and will be looking to adding on another 20 this year.

Call the principal and speak to them. Tell them that you're goal is to become an occupational therapist and if possible to let you observe the OTs if volunteering crosses to many legal issues.

 

[raquel]

Early on I randomly called places and most didn't call me back. I did manage to get a hold of a private hand OT who allowed me to observe for a couple of days. I also got someone from a major hospital on the phone. I didn't have the proper medical clearance, but they let me do a couple days. Now I am officially volunteering for 100 hours with the hospital OT. Just get your foot in the door somewhere, literally and figuratively speaking, and you can add hours. Try places that aren't on official OT volunteering lists, there is usually a long wait list for those. There is bound to be a few helpful people out there who will take you on, you just have to keep trying until you find them.