OT 425 Professional Development

Acquiring skills, knowledge, and attitude going forward as an entry level practitioner is important for professional development. Being a lifelong learner is very important in occupational therapy. Lifelong learning to me means growth, gaining new perspectives, and is a choice that is very self-directed. It is very important to keep an open mind to new information, especially when it comes to technological advances and changes in health policy/regulations. Learning as an OT student is different from learning as an OT practitioner. As students, our curriculum is mapped out and our goal is more clear, which is to pass the NBCOT exam and become occupational therapists. As OT practitioners, our path is not as clear cut and it is important that we figure out how to obtain information. Finding a mentor or role model is important as OT practitioners because they can help facilitate our learning. Professional portfolios help document professional development and are important in proving and ensuring competency as OT practitioners. Professional portfolios can prove that we are continuing to learn by documenting professional development hours (PDUs), contact hours, and continuing education units (CEUs).