Interview with CAOT-BC Managing Director Tanya Fawkes-Kirby
Why did you choose OT as a career?
I did not know OT was a career option until quite late in my
education process. I thought I wanted to be a Neuropsychologist and was working
towards that goal. I worked as a technician for a Neuropsychologist who had
almost become an OT. I always expressed my frustration to him in how it seemed
that we just found the problem for the patient and sent them on their way. I
wanted to help them figure out what to do with the knowledge of their deficits.
He told me I should be an OT. I shadowed a few in the hospital I worked at and
found my place in the world! I was lucky to be accepted into the first MOT
class at UBC and the rest is history.
What is your favourite thing about CAOT-BC?
I love that CAOT-BC works so hard to connect OTs across our
province and to make sure everyone knows what OT is. It has developed into a
hub for OTs practicing in BC and I think that is a valuable resource for us all
considering how thin we are spread out.
Where have you worked over your career? Where do you work
now?
I worked in acute spine at VGH when I graduated and I have
to say SCI rehab is my favourite type of OT work. It is an honour to see the
strength of the human spirit coming back from such function altering injuries.
I then worked in a slow stream geriatric rehab unit where we worked people with
complex multi-factor impairments to help them get back to their homes. It was a
great small program that made a real difference for the clients we saw. After
having my children, I wanted more flexibility so I went to private practice in
the community and haven’t looked back. I love working in the community with
people. I feel like we really get to help them in their real life with their
real difficulties and I love getting to see someone through the whole process
of recovery; from hospital discharge to maximum functioning, no matter how long
it takes. I continue to work in my own small private practice, Designability,
on the side of my work with CAOT-BC.
What has been your most interesting job?
Right now I would say that my work with CAOT-BC has been my
most interesting job. But I question if that is because the learning I am doing
is so amazing right now! We work in so many different areas and I get to
interact with so many awesome OTs. It is a real honour to try to understand the
perspective of all of our members and then get to represent that voice in
places that matter. That said, I think I have felt like that with all of my
jobs as an OT. I think we are so lucky that we have a career that always has
new and interesting learning to be done in order to stay effective at our work.
What do you think will change/shape practice over the
next five years?
I think the pressures of the shortage of OTs in this
province are going to be the primary driving force shaping how we practice over
the next five years. The impact of the lack of available OTs to fill jobs that
are needed affects all areas of practice through the hospital, schools,
community, and workplaces. I think we will find innovative ways to deal with it
as a group since that is just how our brains work! I am motivated to work with
OTs with these innovative ideas and to represent those voices in ways that can
help change practice to make sure we are still able to do our best work for
clients. This needs to be done at the same time as demanding an increase in
training seats to ensure OT is being delivered in effective ways for our
clients while we wait for the increases to make a difference to the workforce.
What do you do when you aren't working?
When I am not working, I am with my three kids either
running them around or finding adventures. I also try to fit in some exercise
at my Crossfit gym or just with my running shoes.
#OT365
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