Informational Interview for Occupational Therapy

Cathy Styles, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist
AnMed Health Pediatric Therapy Works
Interviewed By: Katie Sutcliffe
Interview Date: March 23, 2015
Question 1: How did you get started in occupational therapy?
Answer 1: I observed the OT (the only one at the time) in the city where I lived. My mother had
a customer who was graduating from OT school and suggested it to me.
Question 2: If you were starting out again would you do anything differently?
Answer 2: No, as with most students, it would have been nice to have savings that would have
enabled me to work less during OT school.
Question 3: What personal qualities or abilities are important in being successful?
Answer 3: Dedication, organization, sense of humor, self-awareness, patience, ability to work on
a team
Question 4: What do you do on a typical day as an occupational therapist?
Answer 4: See patients for an average of six hours, do all involved in their OT program such as
splints, etc. Note writing, phone calls, etc. are also daily.
Question 5: How many people do you supervise and whom do you report to?
Answer 5: I supervise volunteers and some students. I report to a manager who is an OT here in
our building.
Question 6: What part of this job do you find the most challenging or satisfying?
Answer 6: The most satisfying is the relationship with the children and their families. The most
challenging is the amount of paperwork required. I started in OT in 1981, and it was quite
different then.
Question 7: How many hours do you typically work each week? Can you arrange your own
hours or are the hours flexible?
Answer 7: I work 32 hours weekly. I arrange my schedule within the Monday through Friday
schedule. There is some flexibility in the schedule.
Question 8: How closely do you work with other therapists such as physical therapists and
speech therapists?
Answer 8: Very closely. We are in the same building and share space. Sometimes we co-treat the
same patient.
Question 9: Is there a demand for people in occupational therapy?
Answer 9: Yes. It seems easier to get a job as an OT than as a COTA.

Question 10: How would you evaluate the future of this career field? What areas do you feel
promise the most opportunity and growth?
Answer 10: I think our future is bright. With the insurance changes it is difficult to predict which
areas will grow. Our population is aging, so there is an increasing patient need there. But, most
people like funding pediatrics. I would hope that pediatrics also grows.
Question 11: Does occupational therapy offer a lot of variety for someone looking to specialize
in the future? Did you choose to specialize? If so, how did you choose your area of
specialization?
Answer 11: There are several areas of practice for specialization. I never intended to be a peds
OT, but knew I had found my spot when I did a pediatric internship as a student.
Question 12: What would you consider the hot issues to be in occupational therapy?
Answer 12: Documentation, masters as entry level, funding, poor lobbying by NBCOT,
productivity expectations
Question 13: What are the problems you see working in the field of Occupational Therapy?
Answer 13: We have struggled with recognition my entire career. Productivity demands are
growing while the non-billable duties are also growing.
Question 14: What is the corporate culture here, that is, is it formal, informal, do people
work autonomously, does everyone come early, or stay late?
Answer 14: AnMed is very supportive. We have a formal structure within the hospital, but look
fairly informal. People are expected to do their best work, and that may involve extra hours
above the workday.
Question 15: What advice would you give a person entering this field?
Answer 15: OT is a wonderful profession! As with most of life, you must invest your time and
effort to be satisfied as an OT. It is important to know that you will never have all the answers,
be able to truly fix someone, or to leave your patients and their needs at the door when you
leave every night. But as an OT, you will have a profound effect on your patients and their
families, you will learn something important from each patient, and the profession will enhance
every part of your life. Learn all you can, and expect to continue learning. Be patient with
yourself and enjoy each day for the unique challenges it presents.