Occupational Therapist in NYC to shadow?

[OTdream]

Hello everyone, I want to shadow an OT in a different setting than my current one (geriatric center). I have called about 40 different places in NYC and all I got was - you need to be doing your fieldwork to shadow here/we don't accept volunteers/I am not interested in being shadowed/We have no availability... Worst of all, the very schools that asks for shadow experience to apply to their OT master are not being helpful at all and are giving me the same standard answers or are not returning my calls (One of the reasons I will not apply to NYU).

If any of you have shadowed a specific OT in the city and don't mind sharing their name and info (after clearing with them of course), I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks

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[gialuan]

Hello everyone, I want to shadow an OT in a different setting than my current one (geriatric center). I have called about 40 different places in NYC and all I got was - you need to be doing your fieldwork to shadow here/we don't accept volunteers/I am not interested in being shadowed/We have no availability... Worst of all, the very schools that asks for shadow experience to apply to their OT master are not being helpful at all and are giving me the same standard answers or are not returning my calls (One of the reasons I will not apply to NYU).

If any of you have shadowed a specific OT in the city and don't mind sharing their name and info (after clearing with them of course), I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks

One of my friends shadowed at the Hospital for Special Surgery. I think she tried the volunteer dept and got to shadow there. However, I tried calling, left a voicemail and never heard back. Looking back, I would try calling the OT dept and ask if you can shadow for just a day- key word being just a day. I guess I would try that same tactic for every other facility.

It'll be hard to be able to shadow for more than a day because of liability issues.

 

[OTdream]

One of my friends shadowed at the Hospital for Special Surgery. I think she tried the volunteer dept and got to shadow there. However, I tried calling, left a voicemail and never heard back. Looking back, I would try calling the OT dept and ask if you can shadow for just a day- key word being just a day. I guess I would try that same tactic for every other facility.

It'll be hard to be able to shadow for more than a day because of liability issues.

It sounds like a good idea. So they know I wont be in the way for anything major. Who would have known that observing someone would be so hard!? Ha

 

[gialuan]

It sounds like a good idea. So they know I wont be in the way for anything major. Who would have known that observing someone would be so hard!? Ha

Haha, I know, right? Good luck finding places to shadow! Like you, I only had experience in geriatrics. I didn't have much guidance on getting shadowing experience, but it worked out in the end

 

[MonsieurTarzan]

You can absolutely shadow at NYU/Rusk Rehabilitation. You just have to fill out their application form. It does take awhile though. Rusk is supposed to be one of the best of its kind.

 

[kgprospot]

I am on Long Island. At first I thought it was hard to find sites, but I ended up finding 4 sites for shadowing (hand therapy, subacute inpatient rehab, pediatric sensory integration, and school). My advice is to try the smaller practices and rehab centers; it's easier to get in touch with ppl.

If you are able, check Nassau County for sites.