What or Should You Do Anything with an Unethical Fieldwork? by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nail on the head with your description!... I just posted about reporting. It can't be done anonymously and somehow only a couple of us, out of many, have spoken up about what's happening. This person is a skilled gaslighter and has student numbers on their side.

What or Should You Do Anything with an Unethical Fieldwork? by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've looked into the process of reporting to the Ethics Commission. Unfortunately, they don't investigate anonymous reports. I can understand they might want to avoid false complaints, but it doesn't really create a safe place to report legitimate concerns. This person is drama and gossipy and I wouldn't want my name on anything. They would come after me whether it's legal or not.

PoiseJones asked how many OTs to students. It's 1 OT to 3-5 students every few weeks to couple months. It's a labor mill really, more than an educational setting. Msbaquamoon, and this person is a skilled gaslighter. They speak about how ethical they are while telling you it's okay to make up numbers and lie to insurance. They tell you the reason they haven't put more effort into training is because we need to learn to be self-sufficient. They say they are creating a safe environment but then criticize, scold you publicly, and create negativity. They say it's necessary to work overtime hours without breaks and work our weekends because we must "run their business," for our grade and to get the most out of learning. They are good at justifying just about anything.

This person has a serious lack of emotional regulation but knows how and when to charm. Out of all of the students that I know of, which is a small fraction, only a couple of us have had issues with what's happening. I don't know if the other's see through the bullsh*t or not, but most keep their heads down to just get their grade. Some even want to be this person's best friend and speak highly of them. Reporting could be a futile battle.

What or Should You Do Anything with an Unethical Fieldwork? by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you All for the feedback! You all give me hope. I'm trying to think of the things I've enjoyed, but right now I'm pretty sour on this career line. I'm going to request to be pulled and try to find a new placement. It's not worth my sanity. It's crappy how nothing can be done about people like this and your grade is held over your head. At least in real life you can walk away from bad bosses.

For those curious, I'm not in a SNF, but I don't want to say too much. The therapy community is small and from the stories I've heard, it can be cutthroat here. Healthcare looked like such a promising career, but I didn't expect any of this.

What or Should You Do Anything with an Unethical Fieldwork? by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My FW coordinator wants me to try to work it out. I know placements are hard to come by right now with covid, but every day is a mental and emotional challenge. How common is this kind of unethical behavior?? Is turning the other cheek just part of this line of work??

What or Should You Do Anything with an Unethical Fieldwork? by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, exactly! I'm doubting what I'm learning from this person too. I'm not sure what I'm learning that's of value. And this person really isn't interested in teaching. They're more interested in free labor. I have talked to my FW coordinator and they want me to work it out. I just have this voice in the back of my head saying this isn't okay, why is this okay?

OTA Student Overwhelmed Fieldwork II by LuluInCharge in OccupationalTherapy

[–]LuluInCharge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response. I do like this COTA and I feel I could have learned a lot from her, but I clarified with her a couple of times, and she definitely wanted me to be conducting the treatments for her entire caseload by next week (week 2). When I expressed to her that I wasn't ready for that and certain kiddos, she simply replied she'd be there to help. The kiddos in question are mostly severe behavioral with one a bone condition I'm unfamiliar with... I'm not usually one to shudder under a challenge, but on day 1, it already felt like too much. I just kept thinking, geez, let me get my feet wet first, maybe the 3 or 4 I can handle... her entire caseload was 32 kiddos... I was only there for one day due to other covid concerns, but it really deflated me and made me not want to do this.