Kate Burke, OTR/L: OT in Emerging Practice Fieldwork Placement

Occupational TherapyCareer CoachingMentorshipEducation

Nov 8

In this post, we will be learning about an occupational therapy practitioner working in an emerging practice fieldwork placement. You will hear from the personal and professional experiences of Kate Burke, OTR/L. Kate graduated with a BS in Occupational Therapy from Worcester State University and a Certificate of Gerontology Studies from the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium in 1998. She has worked in skilled nursing and acute rehabilitation for the past 20 years. Currently, she works as an Occupational Therapist on an acute rehab unit, serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bristol Community College, and frequently supervises fieldwork students. Kate is currently enrolled in the post-professional OTD program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and is eagerly anticipating graduation in December of this year. As part of her Capstone project, Kate is completing a research study about emerging-practice fieldwork. It is her belief that occupational therapy should play a larger role in addressing social determinants of health, and that emerging-practice fieldwork is means of expanding the role of occupational therapy in community-based wellness. Outside of her work roles, Kate is mom to two teenagers, an avid reader and crafter, a rookie gardener, and a lover of naps!

Q & A with Kate:

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am a working mom, graduate student, and occupational therapist who has worked in skilled nursing and acute rehab for over 20 years. I went back to school for my OTD so I could transition into teaching and community wellness. My favorite occupations include crafting/making, gardening, playing cards/board games, working out, teaching, reading, and spending time with my family.

What motivated you to contribute to this series?

I am currently completing a research study about emerging practice fieldwork as part of my OTD capstone project. My goal is to spend the next portion of my career practicing OT in an "uncommon" way.

Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve, and the needs that you address.

Currently, I am supervising OTA students who are doing Level ll fieldwork in a mental health clubhouse. The clubhouse is a community center for adults with mental illness, designed in accordance with Clubhouse International's standards. The students and I are developing the role of OT in this setting by focusing on work, education, and wellness occupations. Most clubhouse members request our services to help them apply/interview for jobs, learn technology skills, explore educational opportunities, learn emotional regulation strategies, and explore leisure interests.

What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?

My frustration with the modern healthcare system and the major impact of social determinants of health. Over the course of my OTD program, I had the notion that OT, and specifically OT fieldwork, could be used in the community to address the needs of underserved populations.

How did you get there? Can you describe your path?

Over the past several years, I have been cultivating a relationship with my local community college since I would like to teach there someday. Earlier this year, I reached out to the Program Director to ask if she might be open to trying out an emerging-practice placement as part of my Capstone project. She explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was working on just that and she offered me a job.

Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?

My primary role is to support the students and to help them apply the OT process to the activities and members' needs within the clubhouse. I am on-site with them once a week and we meet on Zoom and via Blackboard throughout the week. Activity analysis, therapeutic use of self, and communication are the skills I use the most. The clubhouse is designed around the "work order day" which is supposed to simulate a workday. Members volunteer to complete tasks within the clubhouse and the OTA students provide support as needed. They work with members one on one and run daily workshops pertaining to education, employment, and wellness. Recent workshops have included Budgeting Bingo, Painting Gratitude Rocks, and Dress for Success.

Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?

The 'aha' moments that the students have when they observe the power of person-centered occupation-based activities is definitely a high point. The clubhouse staff still do not fully understand the role of OT in this setting which can be a challenge. Inconsistent census at the clubhouse due to COVID-19 has been another challenge we've had to navigate.

How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?

Most of my learning right now comes from my OTD coursework. I am *very* familiar with the literature about role emerging fieldwork at the moment.

Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?

Currently, I am being paid by the community college, as an adjunct faculty member. The college got a federal COVID grant to fund my position since it was created in response to placement lost during the pandemic. At the moment, there is not an established source of funds to continue this program however I am hoping to secure grant money or other funding from the college to expand the emerging-practice fieldwork program.

Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?

My desire to move into teaching led me to reach out to the local community college. Over the years, I have supervised students, offered to guest lecture, and attended events sponsored by the OT program. If there is an uncommon (or just a different) path that you are interested in, I would recommend networking with and/or volunteering for that group or organization. My relationship with the OTA program is what opened this door for me.

What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?

You don't actually have to know everything about a certain role or job before you start.

How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?

@OTKate on Instagram

Kate Burke on LinkedIn

Email: oilyotkate@gmail.com

RESOURCES:

Emerging-Practice Fieldwork Capstone:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AzzSIQCheXk3BWkNUEKtGYxw_PQM_6M6B1Ykifw9Imc/edit?usp=sharing

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

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