Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Reetu Depani, BS, OTA

Cherry Hill, NJ 856-***-**** *****.******@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/reetudepani/ PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Occupational therapy assistant with two years of experience in fieldwork and three years of experience as a therapy aide working along occupational therapists in an acute rehab facility and hand therapy clinic. Enjoys helping patients improve motor and cognitive skills, and obtain an optimal quality of life and independence. Enthusiastic team player driven to help patients achieve their goals and an advocate of cultural inclusivity.

*Currently in the process of obtaining Certification and Licensure EDUCATION

Thomas Jefferson University, December 2020 Philadelphia, PA Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Temple University, College of Liberal Arts, December 2017 Philadelphia, PA Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience, Pre-Occupational Therapy track CLINICAL EDUCATION

New Monmouth Elementary School, Monmouth, NJ October 2020-December 2020 Fieldwork Level 2B Student

• Treated students grade K-5 in a school setting. Students presenting with Autism ADHD, and delayed visual-motor integration. Interventions were provided for visual-motor integration, fine motor skills, attention techniques, and sensory programs.

• Fieldwork placement was 25% virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Researched evidence-based interventions appropriate for virtual sessions in order to successfully engage students in virtual sessions and promote successful skills to reach goals. Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Washington Township, NJ July 2020-August 2020 Fieldwork Level 2A Student

• Treated patients in an acute hospital setting. Patients presenting with recent stroke, respiratory failure, post-surgical orthopedic, neuropathy, pneumonia, syncope, and dementia.

• Interventions focused on strengthening, endurance, cognitive and visual training, and safety education in order to help patient’s complete activities of daily living as independently as possible.

• Creating interprofessional communication between the patient’s interdisciplinary care team

• Improved patient safety education by creating a handout of post-surgical orthopedic precautions. Handout was approved by surgeons, and integrated with education into therapy sessions; handout provided to patients upon discharge.

• Fieldwork was done during the COVID-19 pandemic therefore extra education and precautions were considered upon treatment.

The Arc of Chester County Preschool, Chester, PA February 2020-March 2020 Fieldwork Level 1C Student

• Helped therapist treat children ages 3-5 years in the pre-school setting. Treated children presenting with developmental delay, cognitive impairment, intellectual disability. Assisted therapy sessions lead by the occupational therapist by working on fine motor skills, attention, visual integration, etc.

• Created and implemented interventions to help clients with visual deficits see with increased contrasted in order to successfully complete handwriting tasks.

Flat Iron Supports LLC., Philadelphia, PA October 2019-December 2019 Fieldwork Level 1B Student

• Worked with adults in the community setting presenting with cognitive impairment and intellectual disability.

• Helped improve community integration skills and communication skills to complete instrumental activities of daily living.

• Created and implemented interventions to help clients with money management in the community. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Marlton, NJ March 2019- May 2019 Fieldwork Level 1A Student

• Helped the occupational therapist treat patients in an acute care inpatient rehab setting. Worked with clients presenting with history of stroke, orthopedic surgery, and traumatic brain injuries.

• Assisted therapy sessions with transfers, patient education, family training, and strengthening and edurance exercises.

• Created and implemented interventions to promote bilateral coordination and midline crossing with patients with history of stroke and upper extremity weakness.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Good Shephard Penn Partners Rehabilitation, Philadelphia, PA May 2018-Present Occupational & Physical Therapy Aide

● Facilitate the recovery of patients presenting with brain trauma, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disease, and post- operative orthopedic injuries in the inpatient subacute setting.

● Work alongside therapists to transport and transfer patients using guideline approved safety measures and methodologies.

● Actively obtain first-hand knowledge and experience manipulating and operating wheelchairs and other manual activities of daily living equipment including hoyer patient lifts Cooper University Health Care Bone and Joint Institute, Cherry Hill, NJ October 2017- Present Occupational & Physical Therapy Aide

● Actively involved with implementing the treatment plan to patients in the outpatient setting with Occupational Therapists certified in Hand Therapy, and Physical Therapists certified in Vestibular Therapy

● First person interactions with patients with gait disorders, degenerative joint disease, carpal tunnel, and orthopedic injuries

● Securing a clean treatment area compliant with national standards for OT clinics

● Carrying out interprofessional communication between the patient’s interdisciplinary care team

● Engage and motivate patients to foster a comfortable and motivating environment per Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Nemours duPont Pediatric Therapy Services, Voorhees, NJ December 2016-January 2017 Volunteer

● Observed occupational therapists specialized in the pediatric field treat patients presenting with neurodevelopmental disorders

Magee Rehabilitation, Philadelphia, PA January 2015 – March 2015 Volunteer

● Observed occupational therapists treat in the inpatient rehab setting; patients presenting with traumatic brain injury, and post orthopedic surgery.

ACTIVITIES

Pre-Occupational Therapy Association Secretary Fall 2013-Fall 2017

● Networked and organized with Occupational Therapy graduate students to present to and mentor undergraduate students

● Organized volunteer events and fundraisers such as the Broad Street run, cancer walks and various charities through established philanthropic organizations such as the American Red Cross Alpha Epsilon Delta Treasurer Fall 2013-Fall 2017

Pre-Health Honors Society National Organization

● Maintained a leadership position in the position of treasurer for the local chapter of the national organization

● Participated in volunteer events such as blood drives, volunteering at the shelter, and marathon events such as the Broad Street Run

SKILLS & MEMBERSHIP

● American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Member (through Nov. 2021)

● Basic Life Support Certification (through Jan. 2022)

● EPIC Systems

● Mental Health First Aide Certification

● Proficient in Word, Excel PowerPoint, SPSS

● Advanced in Gujarati, Conversational in Hindi

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