Fieldwork 2...Week One

So after the first week of my 12week fieldwork placement I have to say that it isn't terriable. I'm at the Heritage Healthcare center for the summer in the post acute rehab unit. Basically thats where you go if you aren't able to return home after you are discharged from the hospital. Overall I have realized that I don't think I like the setting... although alot of that could be the facility. In a nursing home rehab setting basically you get patients after the hospital, you work with them alittle bit and they end up going back to the hospital and then coming back. The pattern contiunes until they are either admitted into Long Term Care or they die. I think that I prefer to see more progress in the patients then that which is why I loved Faxton so much. I also liked the new patients everyday and the faster paced... it kept things from getting boring.

My first day at Heritage was alittle rough and I was very concerned about the next 12 weeks. My supervisor basically handed me a stack of 12 patient files and told me to get familiar with them so that I knew what was going on with them when they came in. She didn't give me any explanation of the paperwork or nothing she just disappeared... but not before telling me that they don't have any schedule for the patients they just come when they feel like it. So basically you can get all 12 patients at once or none at all.. as a student that is nuts! So the first day was really rough but on day two I had a conversation with my supervisor and asked to be shown the paperwork and everything so it started to go up hill. My main complaint though is that the OT's and PT's practically do the exact same thing which isn't right. I think I have spent more time and learned the most from a Physical Therapy Assistant then any OT. Heritage is also very behind times in technology and ways of treating patients. I think I got spoiled at Faxton... it was so awesome there and now I'm across the street looking at Faxton through the window wishing I was there.

Things also improved when I got my first patient. My supervisor asked me on the second day if I wanted a patient so I figured why not... I was totally bored out of my mind just watching people and they do the same thing with all of their patients regardless of their diagnosis so how hard could it be? I hate the cookbook therapy as it is called but I'm not assertive enough to say anything about it as a student. I just want to pass and move on the the pediatric stuff. My patient is doing good... she should be going home soon haha. She was basically independent in everything when she came in I just think she is here because her husband is here as well. She was a good one to start with because I couldn't hurt her. It's kind of cool having a patient but I really haven't had to do much with it this past week. However, tomorrow I have to start doing alot of paperwork to go along with her.... but it has to be more interesting then sitting there and watching the paperwork being done.

The people there are pretty cool as well. After the first day I've gotten along with my supervisor, Laura, much better. She actually treated one of my kids through UCP so we have common things to talk about and she lives in Floyd so thats cool. There is another OT, Ned, who is alittle wierd but still nice... I'm happy he isn't my supervisor though because he keeps disappearing and saying he doesn't have time to teach. Then there is an OT assistant, Val, which can do anything an OT can do except evaluate patients but that isn't a big deal at heritage. She is alright... she is really good at explaining things too me though especially on my first overwhelming day. The PT's are awesome though... there are two actually PT's Jessica and Garliee, and then two PT assistants Jack who is hilarious and an awesome teacher, and then Alisa who is very nice. If it wasn't for the people this would probably be a nightmare...

Well that is a summary of week one... eleven more to go. :/