3 Valuable Resources as a New-Grad OT in the Acute Care Setting
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the listed resources below. This post is for educational purposes only.
I recently accepted a position as an occupational therapist (OT) in the acute care setting. As I prepare for this new role, I have accumulated three valuable resources that provide essential information for anyone entering this specialized field. These resources offer comprehensive insights and practical strategies that are crucial for effective practice in an acute care environment. Here are my three most valuable resources that have significantly aided my preparation for this setting:
Occupational Therapy in Acute Care 2nd Ed.
Edited by Helen Smith-Gabai, PhD, OTR/L, BCPR and Suzanne E. Holm, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
This textbook, Occupational Therapy in Acute Care, is a great resource for newly graduated OTs. I purchased this textbook a year and a half ago during my rotation in the acute care setting and rediscovered it a few months ago. I really love this resource because it highlights the most important areas to know as an acute care OT and provides the information in a digital format for easy online access.
Directly from text: “Readers who purchased this book directly from AOTA will automatically see this supplemental content on their AOTA Digital Library bookshelf at https://library.aota.org. Readers who purchased this book through a different vendor should contact customerservice@aota.org or call 800-729-2682 to set up a Digital Library bookshelf and access the supplemental content.”
Chapters Included in the Textbook:
Foundations of OT in acute care
E.g., Standardized assessments and G-codes, ethics, discharge planning, and evaluation of acute care patients (provides a comprehensive evaluation template to download and print).
Understanding the acute care environment
E.g., Intensive Care Unit, common diagnostic tests, laboratory values, hospital equipment (great visuals with each description).
Body Systems
Conditions and disorders
E.g., Ortho, Oncology, Trauma, Infectious Disease and Autoimmune Disorders
Working with clients in acute care
E.g., early mobility and movement, pain management, and energy conservation.
Where can I purchase this textbook?
You can purchase the textbook directly on AOTA’s website here.
E-Book is $89.95 as an AOTA member; Non-Member is $128.95.
Physical Book is $99 as an AOTA member; Non-Member is $142.95
You have the option to purchase digital singular chapters if you are interested in a certain chapter or section.
You can also purchase the textbook on Amazon (what I did) or a different vendor. If you choose to purchase through a different vendor other than AOTA, email customerservice@aota.org proof of your purchase and they will email you the digital supplemental content so you have access to printable resources.
2. The Occupational Therapy ToolKit by Cheryl A. Hall, OT
This is an INCREDIBLE resource for patient handouts, intervention planning, and understanding various physical disabilities and conditions commonly seen as an acute care occupational therapist. This resource includes useful treatment guides, ADL and mobility handouts, educational handouts, and therapeutic exercise handouts.
Directly from the website: “Occupational Therapy Toolkit is a comprehensive, 787-page practical resource developed to support occupational therapists working with patients diagnosed with physical disabilities, chronic conditions, and geriatric disorders. The OT Toolkit provides therapists with 97 concisely written treatment guides and a photocopiable collection of 354 full-page illustrated patient handouts that can be used as visual guides both during and after patient treatments.”
Where can I purchase this resource?
You can purchase directly on Cheryl Hall’s website.
The single-user print book
Paperback: $139
Paperback PLUS Spanish handouts (2 book set): $189
Paperback PLUS French handouts (2 book set): $189
Hardcover: $168
The single-user E-Book (I purchased this option).
E-book: $139
E-book PLUS Spanish handouts (2 book set): $189
e-book PLUS French handouts (2 book set): $189
3. The Road Map by Sonoe Oft, OT
I recently discovered OT Road Map on Instagram and find the author's information super useful as an entry-level OT. The author, Sonoe Oft, is an acute care OT with 12 years of experience in the acute care setting. Sonoe shares resources for OT’s to navigate acute care with confidence through educational videos, chart review and evaluation checklists, and 5 ways to boost your confidence in acute care.
Links to OT Road Map are provided below.
Acute Care OT Checklist: Chart Review and Evaluations
5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence in Acute Care
Please contact juliannemadeline.ot@gmail.com if you have any questions! I have found these resources incredibly useful, and I hope you do as well!