Vanessa Yanez, MSOT, OTR/L: OT in Oncology
In this post, we will be learning about an occupational therapy practitioner in oncology. Vanessa Monique Yanez, MSOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with a specialization in oncology. She is a cancer survivor and an advocate for rehabilitative services across the continuum of cancer care, from prevention to survivorship. She holds a faculty position at the University of St. Augustine and runs a private practice in San Antonio, TX. Vanessa is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University. She strongly believes that occupational therapy coalesces compassion, research, and a client-centered approach in a unique way that can help cancer survivors not only function but fully participate in a life they deserve. Her clinical and research interests include hematological cancers, stem cell transplants, psychosocial supportive care, sexual functioning, and theory-driven practice in cancer care.
Q & A with Vanessa:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
• Born and raised in southern California, moved to Texas 2 years ago • OT with a specialization in oncology • Personal experience with cancer; long recovery and still live with multiple long-term effects from cancer treatment • Currently teach and own my own private practice with my husband, who is also an OT • Favorite occupation: salsa dance, star gazing, shop for plants, enjoy creating posters/PPTs
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
• To share with others how OT can be a powerful and necessary service for people with cancer • To advocate for services in this setting (large need, but few patients actually receive services)
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.
• I work with people who are receiving cancer treatment or have completed cancer treatment (was in acute care, then outpatient, now mainly home health/telehealth). Individuals of all ages, pediatrics, AYA, and older adults. • Depending on the setting, I address different needs with a client-centered approach (I use MOHO). It really depends on their cancer treatment/symptoms and their effect on occupations (but there is a lot of overlap between settings, but have limited time in some settings such as acute). Some of the main things I address: ADLs (self-care, sexuality routine building), IADLs (home management, medication management), health management, school (cognition, fatigue management, self-advocacy), work (body image, return to work, self-efficacy, symptom management), community re-integration (safety, body image, dating, infection prevention), sleep (CBT, stress management), caregiver training/education
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
• My personal experience and seeing the impact of OT in cancer survivors • Level of complexity with cancer survivors • Very few providers understand the role of OT in cancer care, and we need to move beyond ADLs and exercise.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
• Approached 2 oncology OTs after a class presentation • Level II rotation at a comprehensive cancer hospital in southern California (City of Hope), and was offered a full-time position • Experienced in different levels of care (e.g., acute care, outpatient, telehealth, acute rehab)
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?
• Inpatient: o 1) individual sessions, focused on ADLs/IADLs/safety, routine building, symptom/health management, and sleep o 2) group sessions (e.g., activity groups/Yoga/Tai Chi, educational groups/sexuality groups/community re-integration/symptom management) • Outpatient/telehealth o Individual sessions, focused on ADLs/IADLs, return to school and work, sleep, health self-management.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
• Highs: planning a trip to Disneyland with family (hospice) and a patient telling me she plans to pursue OT. Honestly, it’s the small successes in their lives that make me so happy, e.g., being able to manage fatigue to spend time with their grandchildren. • Lows: it’s always hard to process the loss of patients
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
• Articles • Talk to other oncology OTs • Oncology tracks at conferences
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
• Salary and compensation should be similar to other settings with different populations • No issues with major insurance companies • Currently, I’m primarily private pay so I have a flat rate • Looking to get funded right now for a 6-month educational series for the community via telehealth (free of charge to patients)
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
• Connect with other OTs who see cancer patients • ONC4OT Facebook group • Professional conferences, symposiums, or meetings • Students: Look for placements at cancer hospitals or those with cancer units • Students: capstone or master’s thesis in oncology
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
• 1) Cancer survivors will naturally recover and return to “normal life” • 2) We should only be addressing physical impairments or lymphedema. • 3) There’s a certification or advanced training needed to work in oncology
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
• Social media (Instagram/Linkedin) • Email me at vanessayanez1@gmailcom • Find me at conferences • Promote how OT can help cancer survivors within your facility/community.
RESOURCES:
a) Assessment tools at FACIT.org https://www.facit.org/facit-measures-searchable-library
b) Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) https://www.facit.org/measures/FACIT-Fatigue
c) Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog): https://www.facit.org/measures/FACT-Cog
d) Psychosocial article by Sleight & Duker (2016):
e) Systematic Review of OT and Adult Cancer Rehab (Part I) by Hunter et al. (2017):
f) Systematic Review of OT and Adult Cancer Rehab (Part II) by Hunter et al. (2017):
g) Occupational Therapy Group Intervention in Oncology: A Scoping Review by Udovicich (2020)
h) NCCN Guidelines: https://www.nccn.org
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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