The alumnae roundtable featured 3 graduates from Florida A&M University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program. Of the alumnae present, 2 are employed in the sub-acute, adult setting while the other worked in outpatient pediatrics. All alumnae graduated within the past 3 years and have held their license as occupational therapist for less than 2 years. 5 senior level MSOT students were present and participated in the 90 minute forum. The symposium focused on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, level 2 fieldwork, and developing clinical reasoning skills.
NBCOT exam
Alumnae were eager to share their experiences preparing for the NBCOT exam. First, students should budget for exam, license and registration, and certification fees. Secondly, students must have a positive expectation of passing the board exam. Alumnae were resolute in their statement, “You will all pass the board exam and become occupational therapists.” Third, students need to devote significant study time for the exam (i.e. NBCOT website, Therapy Education questions, and the 45 …show more content…
For example, students working in the sub-acute setting should understand Medicare guidelines, medication side effects, and be familiar with interventions and precautions/contraindications for multi-trauma, stroke, cardiopulmonary, and general weakness clients. Pediatric level 2 students should know sensory systems (i.e. visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, proprioception, and interoception), developmental milestones, pediatric assessments, medication side effects, and be familiar with interventions for autism, ADHD/ADD, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, depression, anxiety, and feeding/eating disorders. Lastly, students should ask questions and know that the level 2 field work is all about