Once Upon OT

In this episode, I chat with Abby and Chris, two occupational therapists traveling together and living the dream! Super excited to share this episode where I get to ask all my curious questions about travel occupational therapy and how it works and what the experience might be like.

If you're considering travel OT, you definitely want to listen to this episode!

Timestamps:

(2:20) Chris talks about his OT school experience

(3:33) Abby talks about her OT school experience

(8:36) What piece of advice would you give an occupational therapy student struggling with their fieldwork 2 rotations?

(12:15) Starting out as a new grad occupational therapist  | thoughts on starting travel OT right away? 

(23:24) Transitioning from student to practitioner

(26:38) Navigating salary negotiation $ | advice on talking about money as an OT

(33:38) What prompted you both to start travel therapy as occupational therapists? | WHY TRAVEL OT

(43:18) How long have you been doing travel OT? How do contracts typically work? | logistics and details

(45:58) How much time is ample to prepare and transition for a travel contract?

(51:27) Navigating housing | any recommendations?

(55:12) Where have you completed travel contracts so far? | where else might you like to go?

(58:21) What are some challenges  or “cons” you’ve experienced as travel OTs?

(1:01:55) Thoughts on a new grad OT pursuing travel therapy?

(1:05:36) Considered different settings while traveling? | what kind of settings/facilities are available as a traveler

(1:08:05) Future as traveling occupational therapists | Do you see yourselves traveling long-term? 

(1:09:54) Navigating social life as a travel OT | how do you try to meet people & integrate into existing spaces

(1:13:53) What is your current work schedule like in the SNF?

(1:15:42) Final piece of advice for anyone considering travel OT?

(1:18:55) ** BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND **

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In this episode, I meet Megan who is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.

Additionally, Megan shares her stories and experiences from OTA school, clinical & work experiences, and the ultimate decision to become an occupational therapist. We also learn more about the many fun and creative interventions she uses in an array of settings.

Timestamps:

(5:04) - what was OTA school like? | favorite & least favorite classes

(7:00) — fieldwork | clinical rotations during COVID

(15:05) — navigating transitions | school-based to hospital setting

(20:48) - similarities and differences between OTA vs. OT program experience

(28:25) - what would you tell a student looking to pursue an OTA/OT program?

(29:56) - relationship dynamic between COTA & OT | experiences in outpatient neuro and acute care

(33:56) — managing & handling caseloads

(37:52) - Megan's favorite interventions

(41:28) — story behind OTA/OT insta account

(42:57) — 1-on-1 mentoring sessions

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https://www.instagram.com/missmegan.ot/

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In this episode, I briefly talk about my home health experience as an occupational therapist working per diem in NYC.

It's been quite the journey this past year...super excited for what's to come in 2025 in terms of occupational therapy.

Where are you in the OT journey? What's your story?

IG: https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this final episode of 2024, I compile the advice from interviews this past year — provided by occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students. 

If you are currently an OT student starting one of your fieldwork 2 placements soon or are currently in the midst of your clinical rotations … this episode is absolutely for you!

Timestamps:

(0:52) Autumn Santos

(3:33) Sara Emira

(4:34) Sami Wong 

(6:47) Jhennylyn Rivera

(8:23) Lauren Grammatica 

(9:36) Tarryn Diaz

(10:26) Curtis Handy

(11:52) Kimberly Ben

(13:37) Sol Hartwell

(15:03) Samantha Munoz 

(17:02) Michael Kim

(19:18) Bianca Salamat

(20:00) Teresa Cao

(22:22) Katelyn Asmus

follow along on insta for more episode updates in 2025 :)

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In this fun & honest conversation, Bianca shares her experiences with transitioning into pivotal parts of her OT journey — graduate school during COVID, fieldwork 2 clinical placements and her first job as a new grad occupational therapist.

Timestamps:

(2:12) Starting OT School during COVID

(6:29) transitioning from undergrad to graduate school | favorite and not so favorite classes in occupational therapy school 

(11:00) challenges with hand therapy setting during fieldwork 2

(17:00) fieldwork 2 in school-based OT

(20:48) What might you tell someone having a difficult time during OT school/fieldwork 2 placements?

(21:44) how did you study & prepare for the NBCOT exam?

(27:00) transitioning to first new grad job as an OT

(29:30) tell us more about new grad mentorship 

(31:56) first 3 months as an actual occupational therapist in school-based setting

(37:46) stories during OT sessions | memorable moments :)

(44:05) future aspirations | long-term goals as an occupational therapy practitioner

(53:47) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

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https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, Tarryn and I talk about our current shared experience working as per diem home health OTs . We also discuss various topics such as the transition from full-time to PRN work, addressing burnout, and the importance of nurturing our mental health as occupational therapists.

Timestamps:

(11:06) OT clinicals/Fieldwork 2 placements 

(15:55) Difficult moments & growth during fieldwork 2 experiences

(18:00) What would you tell an OT student and/or New Grad OT?

(19:00) transitioning into the job market as an OT | finding your 1st OT job as a new grad

(26:18) - why PRN?

(33:40) - why Home Health OT?

(38:18) - managing your schedule with 2 PRN jobs?

(43:10) - any long-term goals as an OT? | wellness & preventative care

(49:05) Starting a Youtube Channel?

(50:56) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

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In this episode, I catch up with a friend I met at OT conference - Sol Hartwell OTR/L !

We talk about our perspectives with home health OT as a new grad, Sol's early interest in aquatic therapy, and the unique structure of her weekend OT program.

Enjoyed the episode? please rate the show :)

Timestamps:

(4:54) - unique weekend OT program | balancing full-time work & school

(11:03) - favorite/least favorite classes

(22:28) -Transitioning to first job as an OT

(26:50) — What you wish OT school prepared you for

(28:58) — diving deep into home health occupational therapy

(42:50) — But let’s be real… what are some challenging/difficult moments as a home heath OT

(53:52) - what keeps you motivated as an occupational therapist?

BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND (54:44)

Follow along the occupational therapy journey on insta~

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In this conversation, we discuss life as a school-based OT, the importance of mental health, and what drives Sam to continue doing her work as an occupational therapist!

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In this solo episode, I talk about where I am at during this stage of my OT journey. I feel that significant growth has happened since graduating occupational therapy school, passing the NBCOT, and now in my first year as an actual occupational therapist.

Following along on insta :)

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In this episode, I chat with Autumn Santos OTD, OTR/L to talk about her occupational therapy journey from graduate school, to fieldwork 2 rotations, and current job prospects.

A major topic we cover in this conversation is the NBCOT exam! If you are an OT student looking to modify your study plan, looking for different approaches, or wondering what study resources are even out there... this episode is especially for you!

Timestamps:

(0:58) Autumn’s Occupational Therapy Story

(03:40) Why did you choose OT instead of PT?

(05:42) Experience in Occupational Therapy School

(08:40) Why did you choose your particular OT program?

(11:02) Clinical rotations & favorite/least favorite settings?

(16:11) - What OT setting are you leaning towards?

(18:47) For the OT students listening and currently struggling with fieldwork 2s, what would you tell them?

(21:48) - Autumn’s NBCOT exam experience | the highs and the lows | how she responded & approached things differently

(35:05) - Areas of difficulty with the NBCOT

(39:26) - Breaking down Autumn’s study gameplay and materials

(47:17) - Present day: where are you now with your occupational therapy journey?

(51:21) - Autumn’s top tips for preparing for OT Interviews | Challenging questions to think about

(57:27) - What do you envision your OT future to be? | Long-term goals

(1:00:15) Autumn’s Advice for aspiring occupational therapists

*BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND*

Follow Autumn Santos & Once Upon OT on insta! :)

@drautumnksantos

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@once_upon_ot

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