Shadowing an Occupational Therapy Professional
If you’re thinking about a career in occupational therapy, you may want to shadow an occupational therapist (OT) or an occupational therapy assistant (OTA)! Shadowing is a great opportunity to gain some first-hand experience and a better understanding of the profession.
The templates below may be helpful as you reach out to occupational therapy practitioners. Be sure to personalize or customize any of the wording as needed. Please keep in mind that occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs may have varying requirements for observation hours.
Already have a shadowing opportunity lined up? Check out our useful tips to help prepare for your experience!
General Inquiry
Dear [Occupational therapy practitioner’s name],
My name is [Your name], and I am currently a [year in school] at [high school/university/college name]. I am in the process of exploring health care careers, and I am very interested in learning more about the field of occupational therapy. I would like to gain insights into the daily responsibilities of an occupational therapy practitioner and the profession overall.
If you are willing and your [hospital/clinic/school] permits shadowing, I would greatly value observing your work. I would also sincerely appreciate the opportunity to discuss your experiences and advice on how to best prepare for a career in occupational therapy. I realize that you are busy and that your time is valuable.
If you have any questions or need additional information from me, please feel free to reach me by email or phone. Thank you very much for your assistance and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
School Break Inquiry
[Occupational therapy practitioner’s name],
My name is [Your name], and I am currently a [Year in school] at the [high school/university/college name]. I am writing because I am considering applying to [occupational therapy/therapy assistant school], and I am hoping to shadow an occupational therapy practitioner to give me a better understanding of the profession. I am eager to gain insights into the daily responsibilities of an occupational therapy practitioner, and I believe that observing you would provide invaluable experience.
If you are willing to consider and accommodate my request, please let me know dates and times that would be most convenient for you. I am available during my winter or summer break, and I am happy to work around your availability.
If you have any questions or need additional information from me, please feel free to reach me by email or phone. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
Specific Area of Practice
Dear [Occupational therapy practitioner’s name],
My name is [Your name], and I am currently a [year in school] at [high school/university/college name]. I am very interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy and learning more about [Specific Area of Practice] in particular.
I am writing to inquire if you would consider allowing me to shadow you. I am eager to learn about your daily responsibilities and see [Specific Area of Practice] firsthand. If you are willing and able to accommodate my request, please let me know dates and times that would be most convenient for you. I am flexible and would be happy to work around your availability.
If you have any questions or need additional information from me, please feel free to reach me by email or phone. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to the possibility of learning from you.
Warm regards,
[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
What if the answer is no?
If the answer is no, do not be discouraged. Your inquiry may be turned down a few times before you secure a shadowing opportunity. Sometimes, workplaces may not allow for shadowing, or practitioners may be very busy. Perhaps, you can try asking for an informational interview to simply learn more about the profession, schooling, or application process. Regardless, be sure to thank the OT or OTA for their time, consideration, and response. There is still a chance to network and leave the door open. Perhaps, this new connection could lead to other opportunities in the future.
Dear [Occupational therapy practitioner’s name],
Thank you very much for your consideration. I understand that it is not possible to shadow you at this time, but I certainly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my inquiry.
If possible, I would still welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your experiences as an [occupational therapist/occupational therapy assistant]. Lastly, if you could connect me with any colleagues who would be willing and available to shadow, that would be greatly appreciated.
Again, thank you for all your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Regards,
[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
Useful Tips for Shadowing an Occupational Therapy Practitioner
Dress in appropriate attire
Be sure to dress professionally and follow any dress code rules. Business casual tends to be safe, but if you are unsure, you can always ask in advance of your first day. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed!
Know the workplace policies
In addition to a dress code, there may be other policies you must adhere to. These policies may include eating, drinking, handwashing, cleaning, and patient privacy.
Be on time
Be punctual! Try not to be late, even if it is just a few minutes. It is always better to arrive a bit early. If there is an unforeseen circumstance or emergency causing you to be late, you should inform your supervisor as soon as possible.
Be respectful and attentive
Be respectful of both staff members and clients. Be attentive – hold the door open, gather materials, or grab personal belongings as needed. Be sure not to have your phone out, especially when you are actively observing a session. Also, there may be rare instances when a client may prefer more privacy and ask you not to be in the room. Do not be discouraged and respect their wishes.
Take note of your questions
It is perfectly fine to have questions, as shadowing provides a great learning opportunity. However, there is a time and a place to ask your questions. You do not want to distract or interrupt the occupational therapy practitioner and clients you are observing. You may need to write your questions down and ask later.
Send a thank you note
When your shadowing experience is over, send a personal thank you note to the occupational therapy practitioner. Express sincere gratitude and speak about the positive experience you had. This can help set a professional impression and leave the door open for future networking opportunities.
Letter of recommendation
You may need to include a letter of recommendation or proof of observation hours with your occupational therapy program application. It is best to ask as you are wrapping up your observation hours, or shortly after your shadowing experience is over. That way, everything is still fresh in your supervisor’s head. Keep in mind, occupational therapy practitioners can be busy. It may take time for your supervisor to write a letter of recommendation or prepare any necessary documents. Be sure to plan accordingly.
