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How did being an occupational therapist prepare you for this role ? What are some treatment techniques you can integrate into your therapy session ?
Being an occupational therapist is an excellent background for this type of position . As occupational therapy practitioners , we are taught to consider safety in all of the functional activities and tasks we complete with our patients as well as to always look at the entire picture for our patient ’ s needs . Regardless of your area of practice , this is a key component of practice . My background is acute care and in every OT treatment session , I included patient and family education regarding safety for tasks in the hospital and when they return home . My current position transfers this safety mindset to consider both the patient in the healthcare setting and adds the component of healthcare team member safety .
When looking at treatment options , I love working with our therapy teams to find ways to make their sessions more productive and safer for both the patient and therapist . As we expand our lift capabilities , it opens the door to expanding the therapeutic use of lifts . Our total lifts with high back slings can assist a therapist to sit a patient edge of bed safely , even if they are having balance issues in sitting . In utilizing a lift in this task , you can prevent yourself as well as an aide assisting you from being injured . This lift and sling can provide the support .
Lifts with the appropriate ambulation sling can be utilized for mobilizing a patient to the bedside commode , or in some settings the bathroom itself . For example , a physical therapist can cue the patient for correct gait and transfer techniques instead of manually assisting a patient . For an occupational therapist , we can give cues for visual or cognitive deficits for tasks at the sink instead of having to provide the manual assistance needed for standing or fall prevention .
In my current position , instead of completing daily OT sessions with my own patient caseload , I am able to coordinate with our therapy team and nursing staff to problem solve treatment ideas . I find I am using my OT skill set daily to assist the therapy team and help bridge the gap between therapy and nursing .
Illinois Occupational Therapy Association | 2022 ISSUE 4 8