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For Cindy Smith, each day that she gets to work with her clients in her role as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) is a gift.
She hasn’t taken a single day for granted in her 15-year career as an OTA.
“I think I’m very privileged to be able to work with the client population that I do,” she said.
“We get to work with persons sometimes during the most stressful and challenging periods in their life. Whether they’re newly diagnosed, an inpatient, newly referred to our service or been connected for many years, it is a privilege to support our clients in identifying their personal goals and supporting them in meaningful ways to attain them, whether via one-to-one interventions or group programs.”
Smith studied sociology at Dalhousie, and then spent 10 years working primarily in the housing and youth mental health sectors, supporting individuals and families. This experience helped her become intrigued with the idea of pursuing a career in occupational therapy as an occupational therapy assistant.
She began her career at Nova Scotia Health as a project manager with a supportive housing initiative before becoming an OTA in 2009. She currently works as part of an interdisciplinary team at Connections Halifax, which is a recovery-focused program that provides clinical and psychosocial support to adults living with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder, and who also experience substantial functional challenges in their day-to-day lives.
The seven occupational therapists and four OTAs work together with the other disciplines in a collaborative care model at Connections to help support clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
“Through occupational therapy we support clients to understand both the medical and physical limitations they may be experiencing and help them plan interventions to overcome those challenges to have more optimal health and wellness, and whilst instilling hope, and optimism, building resiliency,” she said. “I like that that the work is client centered, where they identify their personal goals and we support them to attain higher levels of functioning in community and in their independence. The interventions really encompass all aspects of somebody’s life whether self-care, productivity, or leisure.”
As a member of the team, an OTA participates in the overall care planning by gathering information, sharing observations, providing interventions and education under the supervision of, and as delegated by, the occupational therapist.
“Typically, over time we get to know our clients very well. Meeting them in hospital, at Connections, at home, in the community, school, job site or wherever they are most comfortable. They’re sharing very personal reflections about how their illness, life stories and current challenges are influencing where they are and where they want to be with regards to goals,” she said.
Smith said she believes that a wide array of people can benefit from support provided by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
“You know, what I can say is although people may have a diagnosis of a severe and persistent mental illness, and face significant challenges because of this, we must always strive to see beyond the diagnosis, and look at the individual, their strengths, and their resiliency. Everyone’s persons recovery journey is very unique,” she said.
“I think we’re a key component in the healthcare delivery system. I think the training provides a very extensive scope for occupational therapists and that if people are experiencing barriers to living successfully in the community, then getting connected to an occupational therapist is a great first step.”