Developing a portfolio is an excellent way to communicate your personal skills that are integral towards success in a specific profession. As an artist uses a portfolio to showcase their talents, it is essential for each student to document their achievements and plan professional growth. Professional Portfolio: Career Development and Continuing Competence in Occupational Therapy is an excellent reference that everyone in the field of occupational therapy will need to have in their hands in order to create a visual representation of their knowledge, expertise, and clinical experiences. Janet Nagayda, Sarah Schindehette, and Jaclyn Richardson designed this resource as a template for creating a portfolio that the occupational therapy profession will value. Included are specific forms necessary for each step in the portfolio stage as well as examples of completed forms to answer questions that may arise when creating your own portfolio. With the help of Professional Portfolio, you can: Prepare for a job interview. Create a visual representation of your skills. Define professional goals. Plan a career path. Prepare for the recertification process. There is also instructions and tips inside for creating a pitch book, which can be an effective way to provide a highly focused profile of your skills and abilities. Practical advice is given on how to collect and evaluate what information to include, how to incorporate the pitch book into the portfolio, and how to tailor it to meet the needs of a prospective employer, patient, or special project. The authors also provide an overview of the occupational therapy profession and the range of services offered. For students, this is done to stretch their vision and motivate them to take advantage of opportunities and experiences previously not considered. For educators and other allied health personnel, this overview serves as a helpful presentation of what occupational therapy is and the role of the occupational therapy professional. Let Professional Portfolio guide you to clinical achievements and a fulfilling career.
Janet Nagayda, OTD, MS, OTR
Janet Nagayda, OTD, MS, OTR, is the acting Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Program at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. She has been an occupational therapist for over thirty years and in academia for thirteen years. Her primary practice areas have been school-based service, the application of assistive technology, and program and curriculum development.
Sarah Schindehette, OTR
Sarah Schindehette, OTR, has been an occupational therapist with the adult population in a variety of service settings. She is currently applying her skills in the business world as a regional Vice President of a financial services organization. Her long-term professional goals include owning and managing a private rehabilitation enterprise and teaching.
Jaclyn Richardson, OTR
Jaclyn Richardson, OTR, is currently in part-time practice in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. A toddler and new baby are receiving her primary attention. Jackie has also worked closely with a home building group to develop adaptive living spaces.
