volunteer question

[drm66]

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I want to apply to OT school this upcoming year. Some schools say they want pediatric and geriatric volunteer settings.... in general do both of these have to be in a clinic?

I volunteer in a program Top Soccer which helps children play soccer with disabilities, and I am going to start volunteering at the VA hospital.

 

[New Start]

I volunteered at the VA hospital in Phoenix, AZ and loved the experience. I had the opportunity to see how OTs, PTs, and KTs evaluate, diagnose, and provide therapy in a in-patient, out-patient, and clinical setting.

My time at the VA hospital I learned:
-How to take notes
-The questions a therapist would ask patients during evaluation
-How to conducted patient testing (posture, ROM, strength, reflex/Sensation, and joint mobilization)
-The resources and references that are used to diagnose a patient
-The equipment used/exercises suggested in providing treatment

Know your anatomy before volunteering and they'll treat you like an OT student performing his or her Fieldwork!!!

Find a therapist who is willing to mentor you and your time at the VA will be the best experience ever!! 🙂

 

[drm66]

thanks! How long did you volunteer there?

 

[New Start]

I volunteered 6hrs a day for 3mons. I was able to build a great rapport with everyone and by doing so it helped with my letter of recs. As well you're able to meet the MD's, PA's, and specialists who surround themself around the VA's rehabilitation center.

Good Luck!!!

*** btw I can recall it taking 6wk between me first walking into theVA volunteer office to actually volunteering... between the wait for a background check to come back clean, two series of PPD testing, submitting for an ID, and attending pre-volunteer workshops it was a pain but well worth it!

 

[frootloops]

I think your applications need to show that you have had a lot of OT experience, have seen a lot of different and more difficult settings, and still want to become an OT. One admissions rep had told me that I should have see more difficult settings, such as mental rehab, and also it is important to observe both outpatient and inpatient.

 

[New Start]

I think your applications need to show that you have had a lot of OT experience, have seen a lot of different and more difficult settings, and still want to become an OT. One admissions rep had told me that I should have see more difficult settings, such as mental rehab, and also it is important to observe both outpatient and inpatient.

The few schools I interviewed with I was able to share-on my experience at the VA through observing/assisting geriatric, mental health, and physical rehab patients between the in-patient, out-patient, and clinical settings.