Occupational Therapist Role: Skills Audit, Action Plan, Reflection

This report presents a self-awareness audit conducted by a student aspiring to be an Occupational Therapist (OT). It begins by identifying the skills required for the OT role, including technical and soft skills, based on position descriptions and personal experiences. The report then outlines an action plan to address skill gaps, focusing on areas like management, teamwork, and conflict resolution. The action plan details specific activities and timelines for skill development. A reflective section explores the student's career goals and the influence of personal experiences, such as living in poor housing conditions, on their career choice and understanding of the determinants of health. The report concludes with references to support the analysis and reflection. This report is a valuable resource for students studying occupational therapy and related fields.

Self-awareness Audit

Contents
Identifying skills.............................................................................................................2
2.1 Examination of the Position Descriptions (PD)...................................................2
2.2. Identification of the skills required for OT...........................................................2
2.3 Experience..........................................................................................................2
Technical skills.......................................................................................................2
Soft skills................................................................................................................2
3: The action plan.........................................................................................................3
3.1 Identification of the gaps in skills and experiences.............................................3
3.2 Action Plan..........................................................................................................3
4. Reflection..................................................................................................................5
 What?..................................................................................................................5
 So what?.............................................................................................................5
 Now what?..........................................................................................................5
5: Complete reflection - application the determinants of health...................................5
References...................................................................................................................6

Identifying skills
2.1 Examination of the Position Descriptions (PD)
The job chosen is the Occupational Therapist (OT). An OT has the responsibility of
providing suitable accessibility to occupational therapy intervention that involves
enabling people of all ages to live life at maximum by assisting to adjust with disease
or disability and promote health. They offer quality, organised and client centred OT
services.
2.2. Identification of the skills required for OT
Skills required for the position of OT are strong computer skills, knowledge of
community based OT services, competency of management and prioritisation of a
range of complex tasks with least supervision, team player, ability to meet deadlines,
conflict resolution, record-keeping of OT assessment, care plans and reports, verbal
and non-verbal communication skills and ability to handle enquiries and referrals.
2.3 Experience
Technical skills
Knowledge of community based OT services
In the past, I have voluntarily worked as a care worker in an old age home. I was
responsible for assisting them with their activities of daily living. I was able to
understand their needs and provide maximum support to facilitates independence
and empower them.
Strong computer skills
I have studied computer in School and have also pursued extra classes for learning
computer skills. I am well aware with Microsoft and other software programs.

Soft skills
Communication skills
During my time at the old age home, once my teammate was assisting a client with
using her hands to brush her teeth. Suddenly, the client became restless and got
aggressive. My teammate tried multiple times to calm her down but she wouldn’t.
listening to the noise, I reached there and tried to develop a dialogue with her. I also
tried to calm her down using body gestures and active listening. She was fine within
a few minutes and it showed that I have good communication skills.
Documentation
At the old age home, I was also responsible for documenting the care plans and
prepare daily report along with my teammate. I kept clear and updated records of the
clients that I was attending.
3: The action plan
3.1 Identification of the gaps in skills and experiences
 Management skills
 Team work
 Conflict resolution
3.2 Action Plan
My top skills Job
requirements
My current
experiences
My gaps New
activities
Timing
Technical skills

Management and
prioritisation
Capability to
manage and
prioritise
several
complex tasks
with least
supervision
At the old age
home, I was
responsible for
1-2 clients
along with my
teammate.
I have not
handled several
clients and their
tasks yet.
During
placement in
my course, I
can learn this.
When the
placement
training is
over
Customer service
skills
Enhanced
customer
service skills
along with the
capability to
efficiently
engage and
empower
clients
I was given
very basic
duties to
perform at the
old age home.
Those tasks did
not require high-
level customer
skills or much
engagement of
the clients.
I could take
unit to gain
knowledge of
high-level
customer
skills.
After the unit
is finished
during the
semester.
Non-technical
skills
Communication
skills
Outstanding
verbal, non-
verbal and oral
communication
skills and the
ability to gain
the
cooperation of,
and ascertain
information
from, clients of
diverse
backgrounds
and cultures
I have dealt
with clients of
old age at the
care home.
Limited
experience of
dealing with
clients of
different cultural
backgrounds.
I will complete
unit XXX111 in
T1 2018 and
XXX222 IN T2
2018.
When the
unit is
finished
during the
semester
Team work Ability to
perform as an
effective team
member and
I have only
worked with a
team of two at
the care home
No experience
of working in
large teams.
I can join
different clubs
at Deakins to
learn to be a
Throughout
my curse

support and
direct staff
part of the
team. I can
also read
books on this
issue
Reflection

4. Reflection
 What?
After the audits and action plan, I can identify that I want to pursue a service-based job
especially service provided to the weaker section of the society. I also found out that I am
good at computer skills, written communication skills and have optimum knowledge of
community based OT services.
 So what?
I believe that my inclination towards providing service has affected my choice of voluntary job
that I took which was to work at care home. I believe that audits are accurate about me. I
think a gap in my skill to perform managerial task is identified due to my lack of experience to
manage complex tasks. Likewise, team work has also been an inexperienced area for me.
Further, I believe I am good at some communication skills but still need to improve further to
handle all kinds of service-users. The audits have given me an insight to choose such
organisations which will assist me in learning the lacking skills.
 Now what?
I aim to pursue to be an Occupational therapist at a community hospital. My goal is to get a
job in a renowned hospital which can give my career a great start.
5: Complete reflection - application the determinants of health
Living in poor housing condition is a disadvantage (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010). I have
experienced this disadvantage as I during my childhood and early adolescent age; I have lived in
a poor housing condition. It has substantial influence on my career choice to be an Occupational
Therapist. During the early years I saw my grandmother and grandfather suffering from various
illnesses due to poor housing. Seeing my grandparents in pain was one of the first reasons that I
wanted to take up a service-based professional which will assist disabled people in empowering.
Further, poor housing standards is a measure of social deprivation which I have also
experienced while growing up (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). I wish that people don’t have to face
such deprivation therefore, during my role as an Occupation Therapist I make attempts to reduce
this deficit of isolation in people’s lives. I believe by empowering people and enhancing their

independence, I am making people competent to access the social resources that they could not
due to their disabilities. Therefore, housing is one of the determinants of health that I believe has
influenced my professional career as well as professional skills and status.
References
Mikkonen, & Raphael. (2010). Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts.
Toronto: University School of Health Policy and Management.
Wilkinson, & Marmot. (2003). Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts (2 ed.).
WHO.