[crazyjav101]

I'm a recently graduated primary school teacher. Anyone have any suggestions on good places to get experience in this area ?

[Azures]

Originally Posted by crazyjav101

I'm a recently graduated primary school teacher. Anyone have any suggestions on good places to get experience in this area ?

If you're wanting to spend time in an OT dept prior to an interview, just phone up the local manager and ask. People visit depts all the time pre- interview. Make sure you visit a mental health setting and a 'physical' setting. At the risk of putting a dampener on your plans- make sure OT is really right for you - visit as many places as you can and ask all the hard questions.. The philosophy and principles of OT are wonderful, but in practice it's a very limited and different job. If you're interested in paediatrics it's a bit more varied but you'd have to work for 2-3 years post qualification in a general setting before you can specialise in paeds or any other area, such as community or mental health. Also, there are no jobs in Ireland, the HSE is pretty much the only employer in the country for OTs and the embargo is still in place. OT is a good job to help you work abroad though, Aus,US and Canada are always open for OTs. Just a few thoughts from a veteran and possibly a little worn - out OT...

[Christinalit]

Originally Posted by Azures

If you're wanting to spend time in an OT dept prior to an interview, just phone up the local manager and ask. People visit depts all the time pre- interview. Make sure you visit a mental health setting and a 'physical' setting. At the risk of putting a dampener on your plans- make sure OT is really right for you - visit as many places as you can and ask all the hard questions.. The philosophy and principles of OT are wonderful, but in practice it's a very limited and different job. If you're interested in paediatrics it's a bit more varied but you'd have to work for 2-3 years post qualification in a general setting before you can specialise in paeds or any other area, such as community or mental health. Also, there are no jobs in Ireland, the HSE is pretty much the only employer in the country for OTs and the embargo is still in place. OT is a good job to help you work abroad though, Aus,US and Canada are always open for OTs. Just a few thoughts from a veteran and possibly a little worn - out OT...

do you know about jobs in ireland (or anywhere) for OT's working in prisons??
I am very interested in OT but am also very interested in working int he area of probation!!!! I have heard that ot's can work in prisons but am unsure if its true!!!!!

[crazyjav101]

Thanks for your response. I love working with people on a one to one basis. The classroom can be quite daunting with 30 odd children. Often there isn't enough time to get around to everyone and it upsets me to think that a child isn't getting the attention they deserve. I've been through quite a lot in my own life. My mother died from cancer a few months before my leaving cert and my uncle died a week before. I got my points nd went to college but i found it quite tough. I took solace in sport but overdid it and got burnt out. I brought myself back from the brink and have learned a great deal about looking after oneself both physically and mentally. I think that this would help me a great deal in occupational therapy and any patient I would come across.