Occupational Therapy, MOT

Nebraska Methodist College prides itself on producing a graduate that exemplifies "the meaning of care." We do this by focusing on three key pillars that contribute to the caring, excellent, holistic, respectful, lifelong-learner that enters the healthcare field after graduation.

These pillars are 1) The Skillset needed for success in the field, 2) the Heartset needed to provide care according to guiding principles, and 3) the Mindset to overcome the inevitable challenges that go along with working in today's healthcare environment.

Please answer the following questions to provide the Admissions Review Committee with more information on your Skillset, Heartset, and Mindset. These questions are a very important component of decision-making regarding the opportunity for an interview.

When drafting your written statement, please cite any sources using APA format if applicable. Also know that instances of plagiarism within an applicant's essay will disqualify them for acceptance to Nebraska Methodist College due to the College's commitment to academic integrity and stringent plagiarism policies. Be sure to include your name and program on the document itself.

Skillset Question: Success in occupational therapy school requires the student to employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem-solving, and creativity in the pursuit of new learning. Name a time in which you utilized critical analysis, problem-solving, and creativity to explore potential solutions to a problem you encountered in your undergraduate education.

Heartset Question: Occupational Therapists are often working with clients experiencing the worst thing they can ever have imagined; the birth of a child with an unexpected and life-changing disability, challenges related to the loss of function from a car accident, or the adjustments required from a progressive and chronic condition, as examples. What skills would an individual need in order to serve these clients well and wholeheartedly. Which of those skills do you possess? Which are you still developing

Mindset Question: Angela Duckworth (2016) in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” discusses grit as the ability to persevere and stick with a goal regardless of obstacles. Give us an example of a time in which you persevered or stuck with a goal regardless of the obstacles presented. What lessons did you learn from this experience? How has it changed the way you approach new challenges?

NMC's MOT program has specified performance and behavioral criteria that outline expectations from the learner's admission into the OT program.   OT learners must be able to fulfill certain tasks and behaviors. The MOT curriculum requires the OT graduate student to be able to perform the following technical standard areas:

Academic Skills

• In a timely manner, employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem solving, and creativity in a variety of settings and populations.
• Accurately display the ability to cognitively process and retain new learning within a reasonable timeline.
• Perform evidenced based reviews of the literature to guide informed decision making.
• Perform critical reasoning to include appropriate screening, assessing, planning, providing care strategies, and formulate client and family centered education, and discharge preparations within a variety of settings and specified timelines.
• Gather and measure relevant data and synthesize results within specified timelines.
• Pose relevant questions and seek out appropriate responses in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and address complex needs and/or solve dynamic problems.
• Generate graduate level papers, meet competency levels on exams, and replicate demonstrations.
• Prioritize and organize multiple workload needs.
• Demonstrate scholarly research skills appropriate for a graduate level program.
• The ability to function as a learner both the online and face-to-face classroom environment.
• Basic competency in the use of word processing softwares.
• The ability to function across multiple platforms including Apple and PC.
• The willingness to explore and use of iPads in the classroom and fieldwork environment.
• The willingness to explore and use new and emerging technologies in a variety of platforms.

Communication Skills

• Demonstrate effective and respectful oral and written communication skills.
• Document scholarly work for faculty and potential external reviewers.
• Demonstrate computer competence in the use of word processing, computerized simulators, media software, databases and search engines.
• Articulate effectively to consumers, supervisors, peers, reimbursement sources, other health care professionals, clients and their families, as well as general audiences to meet clients' needs.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach others prevention, health maintenance restorative and compensation skills. 
• Appropriately use non-verbal skills to analyze and communicate needs in a professionally acceptable manner.

Therapeutic Skills

• Possess sufficient motor function to elicit essential data from the manipulation of assessment materials and therapeutic technologies and equipment.
• Safely move, handle, and transfer various clients independently (up to 150 pounds).
• Perform manual dexterity tasks sufficient to fabricate orthotic devices, adapt equipment, and fabricate splints.
• Use sufficient sensory systems to safely utilize thermal, auditory, and electrical modalities.
• Safely perceive and navigate varied environments and communities.
• Adjust personal posture, mobility, coordination, strength, and energy for the therapeutic process.
• Modify environments for others' well being and performance abilities.
• Provide recommendations and training in techniques to enhance mobility, including physical transfers, wheelchair management, community mobility, and driver rehabilitation issues.
• Perform psychomotor skills in a timely manner for safety and competency considerations.

Behavioral-Interpersonal and Professional Abilities

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively work with others who may have a range of impairments, disabilities or perceptions.
• Ability to place personal needs secondary to the needs of others.
• Ability to respond and adjust actions or behaviors in response to supervision and client needs.
• Ability to demonstrate sincere valuing, caring, empathy, integrity and concern for others.
• Ability to display appropriate social and interpersonal skills and communication within a variety of settings and cultures.
• Be motivated to seek out professional self-development opportunities.
• Display flexibility and adaptation appropriate to the demands and the needs of clients and their families.
• Value the importance of the use of self to motivate and assist others.
• Display appropriate language, attire, and mannerisms in all professional environments including the classroom.
• Articulate personal needs in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Use sound judgment in regard to the safety of self and others and adheres to safety regulations within a variety of settings.
• Value the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, spirituality, diversity factors, and lifestyle choices when interacting with others.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the use of self including personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments as a part of individual and group interactions.
• Demonstrate the ability to work well with others.
• Accept life long learning and competence expectations as a personal value.
• Display therapeutic use of self through honesty, integrity and personal and responsibilities for behavior consistent of ethical professional occupational therapists.

Health Promotion and Holistic Practices

• Display good health practices and hygiene for safe interaction with others.
• For safety, timely update immunization records and adhere to all College or fieldwork site requirements for health screenings and immunizations.
• Update certifications in HIPAA, CPR, and First Aid within appropriate timelines.
• Understand and respect the importance of personal health, habits, and the prevention of disease/infection.
• Display an awareness of personal issues and report issues that could interfere with the ability to competently care for others.