I started working at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital as a recreation therapist. I really enjoyed that job but after a few years I was looking for a different challenge. So, I completed my undergrad and switched to working in our Vocational Services department as a rehab worker and job coach. I really enjoyed that too but soon wanted another challenge. It was at this point that I also started working with my practice lead, an OT who had recently moved from England. I had the chance to support her with a number of assessments and interventions. It was eye opening to see how occupational therapy could affect positive change in people’s lives. I wanted to be able to have that same positive impact with my clients, so she suggested that I apply to the MOT program at UBC. Given my previous education and experience, OT was a natural fit.
What is your favorite thing about CAOT-BC?
I feel like CAOT-BC is a constant source of knowledge. The webinars and other resources have been very helpful over the years. I also like how it connects OTs who work in similar fields through various networks. Sometimes I feel we are a bit of an island in forensic psychiatry, so it’s nice to hear and learn from others who share similar experiences.
What do you like about occupational therapy?
I love the challenge and variety of my job. It is never boring, and two days are never the same. A patient I worked with once called OTs “professional problem solvers.” That couldn’t be closer to the truth. As an OT in forensic psychiatry, the mental health component is only one aspect of our practice. We are tasked with doing swallowing assessments, complex seating, discharge planning, universal design as well as risk management when working with our high-risk patients. In addition, I do private practice, am an instructor in the Occupational/Physical Therapy Assistant program at VCC, and am a clinical faculty member at UBC. I feel that in my job, I use most of the stuff I learned in school. Where else can you say that?
What has surprised you most about working as an OT?
I was surprised by how broad our role can be in the recovery journey of our patients. I was working with a young man that had a rare neurological condition that left him with diminished functioning in the lower half of his body, in addition to his complex mental health issues. The treatment team asked us to conduct a functional assessment to determine all of his rehab needs and make recommendations for treatment. We developed a treatment plan that spanned from his acute care needs, through rehabilitation, to discharge to his home community.
What has been your most interesting job?
By far my job as an OT at FPH. I was working with an older woman who we were trying to discharge to Vancouver Island. During our initial home assessment, we found that the floor of her mobile home was too damaged for her to walk on safely. Unfortunately, her husband was not able to afford to fix the floor. Not wanting to lose momentum with the discharge, we came up with the plan that our woodshop would build some temporary floor panels. The next time we brought her over to the Island, I brought along my tools and installed the floor panels in their kitchen. We were able to safely discharge her home that day.
What do you find most challenging about working as an OT?
I think the most challenging part is the relentless pace of the job. There is a large demand on our service and sometimes I feel like I am just putting out fires and not able to delve deeper into the treatment side of things and spend more quality time with my patients.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming an OT?
Do it! (I’m totally biased though because I want everyone to become an OT.) It is an amazingly diverse and rewarding field -- I don’t think you could ever get bored with it. This field will challenge you in so many ways and there are so many opportunities for continued learning and development. It is also constantly evolving, from new research to new ways to interact with our clients, to the impact it can have on the larger population. I’m lucky -- I genuinely love what I do and actually feel like I’m working in my dream job.
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