Once Upon OT

Jordan Agabin

Curious about occupational therapy? My name is Jordan and I am a new grad occupational therapist (OT) excited to share my occupational therapy journey. Whether you are pre-OT, applying to OT school, a current OT student, or a new grad OT like myself ...this is for you! Welcome to the Once Upon OT Podcast, where we talk about becoming the best OT we can be through interviews, reflections, and stories. After all, we can’t spell story, without OT

  1. 30 APR

    Emily Blackwell OTR/L : fieldwork in Ecuador and travel pediatric occupational therapy

    In this episode, I am joined by Emily Blackwell - who shares her occupational therapy journey : from the early discovery of occupational therapy to her exciting travels during fieldwork 2 and her present day adventures as a travel pediatric OT in Hawaii **if you are curious about what it's like to have a fieldwork 2 experience abroad or travel occupational therapy as a new grad OT - then this episode is for you ! :) TIMESTAMPS: (1:05) Emily’s occupational therapy story (5:01) Occupational Therapy Program Experience - why UNE, fav/least favorite classes (13:28) Level 2A Fieldwork  — Community Clinic in Ecuador (18:44) What might you suggest to someone interested in setting up an OT fieldwork 2 abroad (20:10) Level 2B Fieldwork — Acute Care in Cancer Center (23:35) If a current occupational therapy student is having a difficult or challenging time during their fieldwork 2 rotation —  what might be something you share with them? (24:48) How did you prepare for the NBCOT exam?  (27:34) Starting out in Travel Occupational Therapy as a new grad OT - what was that like? (39:03) Current life as an occupational therapist - what does a typical day look like? (45:12) Memorable moments or stories as an occupational therapist 3 (47:56) Future or long-term goals as an OT (50:02) Your WFOT experience  (53:44) ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE — for someone starting their occupational therapy program follow along on insta :) https://www.instagram.com/eblackwell9/ https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

    58 min
  2. 24 MAR

    Daniella Mazzo OTR/L : In-home Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services | Tiny Hands & Bright Minds

    In this episode, I am joined by Daniella - who shares her occupational therapy journey from the early days of OT discovery, occupational therapy school, entering the field as a new grad OT and lessons learned along the way. Daniella is currently a pediatric occupational therapist and is certified in Ayer’s Sensory Integration + advanced training in neuro-affirming, trauma-informed care Tiny Hands & Bright Minds - for more information : ⁠https://www.tinyhandsandbrightminds.com/⁠ Daniella’s insta : @tinyhands_brightminds Timestamps:  (3:10) Walk us through your occupational therapy program experience  (6:06) Unique experiences that enhanced your learning in grad school (8:18) Memorable moments during your OT program (10:10) Fieldwork 2 Experiences — navigating COVID times | Home Health & Neuro-outpatient (14:06) If a CURRENT occupational therapy student is listening & is having a difficult or challenging time with their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might you share with them at this time?  (15:28) Entering the field as a new grad occupational therapist — navigating your first job (18:05) What led you to your current role today as an occupational therapist? | Tiny Hands and Bright Minds (20:37) Your experience with noticing signs of burnout | what are some signals that it might be time for the next thing as an OT? (23:53) Transitioning into private practice — Tiny Hands & Bright Minds (27:22) A typical day in the life in your current role as an occupational therapist (32:56) Approaching treatment/intervention sessions (35:15) Reflecting on your experience (36:52) Memorable stories as an OT insta: @once_upon_ot

    45 min
  3. 4 MAR

    Kristen Sellars OTR/L (@ot.insider) — Life as a SNF occupational therapist

    I am joined by Kristen - also known as “@ot.insider” on insta - who is an occupational therapist currently working in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) In this episode, we dive deeper into Kristen’s occupational therapy story - from early interest in OT, to navigating OT school, & starting out as a new grad occupational therapist and handling the unexpected :o https://www.instagram.com/ot.insider TIMESTAMPS: (0:43) What is your occupational therapy story?  (3:05) Occupational Therapy school experience - favorite classes, things that stick out (7:07) Transitioning to Fieldwork 2 experiences — a) Acute care  (8:21) What helped ease your transition into a hospital-based setting for fieldwork?  (10:54) Fieldwork 2 experience in pediatrics - school setting (13:44) If a current occupational therapy student is in the midst of their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation and is having a difficult/challenging time — what might you share with them? (16:35) Mindset as a new grad occupational therapist (19:56) Kristen’s pathway of jobs as a new grad OT (26:18) Life as a SNF occupational therapist (favorite & least fav aspects) (30:56) A typical day in the life of Kristen as an Occupational Therapist (33:09) Self-care practices & tackling burnout — during the work day + @home (35:22) Favorite interventions (37:04) Memorable moments on your OT journey (41:43) Motivation behind starting your instagram account —  (@ot.insider) + the new podcast! (47:58) Any long-term goals as an occupational therapist? (50:01) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot

    52 min
  4. 25 FEB

    Brenna Wassil OTR/L : School-Based Occupational Therapy as a New Grad OT

    In this episode, I am joined by Brenna who I have known since our days as rehab aides at a local outpatient PT/OT clinic It was refreshing to reconnect with Brenna at present day now that we are both practicing occupational therapists. In this episode, we learn about her occupational therapy journey from OT student to practitioner — and also hear about the highs & lows during this transitional period TIMESTAMPS: (3:30) Reflecting back on your first impression of occupational therapy  | what did you like about it? (7:50) Brenna’s experience in occupational therapy school | weekend program structure, schedule, time management etc.  (11:50) working while attending your occupational therapy program (13:02) memorable OT school experiences (good/bad) (14:31) navigating social life with a weekend OT program structure (15:51) Transitioning into OT Fieldwork 2  — a) Outpatient Hand Therapy clinic  (17:57) Transitioning into OT Fieldwork 2 b) School setting - middle/high school (22:32) What might you share with a current occupational therapy student having a difficult and challenging time during their fieldwork 2 rotation? (25:05) How did you prepare for the NBCOT exam? | what worked for you? (28:18) Entering the world of occupational therapy as a new grad OT  (32:59) Favorite aspects of your current role as an occupational therapist (35:12) Challenging aspects ? (36:53) Favorite interventions or things you like to incorporate in your sessions (39:09) Memorable stories as an occupational therapist (41:20) Potential long-term goal(s) as an OT (43:28) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

    46 min

About

Curious about occupational therapy? My name is Jordan and I am a new grad occupational therapist (OT) excited to share my occupational therapy journey. Whether you are pre-OT, applying to OT school, a current OT student, or a new grad OT like myself ...this is for you! Welcome to the Once Upon OT Podcast, where we talk about becoming the best OT we can be through interviews, reflections, and stories. After all, we can’t spell story, without OT