Top 10 Tips for Occupational Therapists
Student placements have always been a vital part of ensuring a future workforce – But the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on this.
As part of my NES AHP Career Fellowship I have been working with students and colleagues to explore creative ways to ensure placements continue in NHS Lanarkshire. So far, we have had a go at all the models listed below except PAL & the feedback from educators and students has been incredibly positive.
If you’re thinking about offering a placement have a read at my Top 10 Tips listed below. They’re not rules, they’re just some of the things we have learned so far. We are constantly changing & developing our approach based on staff and students feedback.
- Email your service welcome information in advance.
- Be supportive meet for a quick cuppa and a chat on Microsoft Teams prior to the placement starting. This gives an opportunity to ensure technology works, answer any questions and hopefully ease some of the expected anxieties.
- Be adaptable Consider new models of practice in addition to traditional face to face learning.
- Fully remote – Placement is fully digital.
- Blended- Part remote learning and part physical placement.
- Shared supervision – The student has more than one supervisor.
- Multi Centred Learning- Students can be shared and supervised between multiple specialisms or sites, e.g. Split between inpatient and community.
- Traditional Learning – physically on placement, face to face each day.
- Peer Assisted Learning (PAL): Using the 2:1 model. 2 students, 1 supervisor.
However even traditional placements could be adapted to include some aspects of digital/ remote working to reduce footfall & desk use etc.
- Be prepared Prepare a tutorial programme in advance. Involve other MDT colleagues and staff who don’t have student responsibilities (presentations, workshops, case discussion – Mix it up).
- Communication discuss and clarify any additional learning support needs and ensure opportunity to make required adjustments.
- Discuss learning outcomes as soon as possible to allow time to create a variety of learning opportunities. Discuss and agree frequency and format of supervision sessions.
- Be creative consider a range of new learning opportunities near me, online tutorials, webinars, case studies, project work, role play, Microsoft Teams and tea break catch ups online.
- Clarify IT access and support or required training, including; near me Microsoft teams and email.
- Provide information and guidance on how to set up a healthy home working environment.
- Provide Wellbeing information and links. Remember to look after yourself so you can help support others.
Author Info:
Gillian Trotter, Specialist Occupational Therapist, NHS Lanarkshire
Follow Gillian on Twitter: @GillianT_OTahp
AHPs across health and social care. 