Max Covington
Cedar City, UT
Exercise Science
Leadership Track
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Job Shadowing an Occupational Therapy
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My EDGE project was focused on seeking out the profession that would suit me and my desire to help people become healthier. I thought about physical therapy, but I wanted to be more than just someone who dictated treatments. Occupational therapy seemed more fitting because it was oriented around client goals more than just treatments. I wanted to know if it was really a possible career option for me.
I chose to job shadow at Stonehenge of Cedar City for practical reasons. It was very close to my house. On my days off I could maximize my time during the day at the clinic. Secondly, since it is a new facility it has up to date equipment and highly qualified employees. Thirdly, I wanted to get an idea of how I might help people by modeling the therapist when I graduate.
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I was inspired to job shadow because of several friendships I had with elderly people. One person was a mentor to me about gospel studies. He had serious problems with his diabetes. One day at his house I saw him go into a seizure because of his condition. He already struggled to walk. Another friend, a lady who lived across the street from me broke her back years before I met her, but her greatest struggle was a rare syndrome similar to multiple sclerosis, but very rapid. I helped with errands around town, cleaning and walking her dogs, moving things around her house, or just visiting.
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I felt very useless as I watched them struggle, until they died. I decided after the last one passed away that I would educate myself on how to be the teacher so I could guide other people to help themselves. I didn’t know how to start, so I went to Stonehenge clinic and they directed me to have my fingerprints taken by the police station. All I had to after that was to read and sign their agreement to keep client information private. I was able to job shadow immediately. Life happened sometimes during the project, but I had started far enough in advance that I was able to complete the hours necessary for applications into a graduate program as well as the EDGE project.
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Clients I met at the clinic were elderly. They suffered with cardiovascular issues and couldn’t breathe, perhaps their back had been injured, they couldn’t breathe well, or they couldn’t walk. I followed the therapist to observe and ask questions. On the way I was allowed to handle some of the equipment or offer a hand to help stabilize a client during a treatment session. Although I felt limited because I had no license to care for such conditions, I helped put people at ease by talking to them or retrieving nearby objects for them.
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My project exposed me to the reality of aging and I could empathize more deeply with clients. I realize the responsibility that I have to prepare myself mentally and emotionally to handle confidential information and the complaints of many clients on a daily basis. I benefited most from the therapist. He always had a reason for why he used each modality to help to client or why information must be processed in certain ways in order to maintain confidentiality. Caring for health is not just assigning programs but rather it’s an obligation to treat every in the way they need and to work around their goals, not mine. I know that If I can tie what I do with the end in mind that I can guide clients to a healthier and more comfortable lifestyle.
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June 26, 2018
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“One of the clients at the clinic was complaining about how the treatment. She didn’t want to do it anymore. I looked at the Colton (therapist) and wondered what he would do. I would have have tried to show sympathy and talk it out. He just looked at her and said “You know what, we only have a couple more minutes. After that you can stop, but you have to finish It. We’re trying to make you better.” The client nodded her head and finished. I asked later why he did things that way. He told me “ Everything you do needs to have a purpose or it’s not therapy. This falls under becoming efficient which is something you have to do because you don’t have time to just talk. I only have half an hour to help them. If they don’t get better then they have to leave, and they can’t go back home without learning what I have planned today.””
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July 31, 2018
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Today was the first time I had to observe the way a therapist teaches someone how to shower safely. I was very uncomfortable but I kept quiet and focused intently on the therapist and the client’s face. I think that I might do home health visits instead of a clinic. I could get better later. I like all other aspects of this job a lot, but I think people would feel very uncomfortable if they suspected that I felt awkward.
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