7 Tips for Newly Graduated Clinicians Starting at FOX Rehabilitation

By Maddie Moyer, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Maryland

As my one-year anniversary with FOX Rehabilitation quickly approaches, I have been reflecting on my first year in the field and how much I have grown as a clinician. I decided to share a few tips and tricks I learned along the way in the hope that I may help another new graduate start off their career with FOX!

1. The Art of Scheduling

It is so nice to have the flexibility to create your own schedule, but it can be tricky at times and was something I struggled with at first. Communication is key when it comes to scheduling. Communicate with your colleagues about the days and times you plan to see mutual patients. Check in with your patients as well to ensure they do not have doctor’s appointments or other conflicts when you plan to provide treatment. If the family or a caregiver is involved, keep them in the loop, too. 

I set my schedule a week in advance and make sure my designated times are written on my patients’ calendars. I also tell them in person so I do not have to spend time at home making calls regarding scheduling. Some patients can be particular when it comes to the times they want you to come. In those cases, it’s helpful to take the time to explain that we are on the road throughout the day working in various locations, so we have to schedule strategically and cannot always accommodate their preference. I don’t always explain this, but I find it to be helpful for those patients who are not as flexible. 

When creating your schedule, it’s worth it to figure out drive times between locations so you can group patients within close proximity together to avoid spending unnecessary time driving. 

I also like to write my schedule in pencil because things often change. There may be cancellations, and when there are, you can call up more flexible patients to be seen earlier while rescheduling this patient who canceled to adhere to their recommended plan of care frequency. It can also be beneficial to schedule patients who may repeatedly cancel their sessions at the end of the day, so you don’t end up with a gap in your schedule during the middle of the day. It takes time to figure out scheduling and what works for you, but it does get easier with time!

2. Point of Service Documentation

As a new graduate, I found myself so invested in my treatment plans and building rapport with my patients that I got stuck taking so much work home with me because I was not effective with point-of-service documentation. 

Set the standard with your patients from day one that you will be on your computer to properly document the outcomes and interventions of the session to demonstrate the skill of services for payor sources as well as noting clinical updates for physicians. During breaks between your sessions, take the time to sit and document as much as you can. If you have a more hands-on session, save a few minutes at the end of the session to get in as much as you can. I find it helpful to verbalize what I am documenting for certain patients so they really understand, or explain to my patients that during the first few sessions, I will be on my computer more to get all of the information in. 

Point-of-service documentation is also more accurate, and that’s something most of your patients will understand. My mentor gave me the tip to asterisk (*) any areas of my documentation I would need to revisit once I get home, but I try not to spend too much time reviewing my notes because it adds up and interferes with that work-life balance. 

3. Don’t Buy Too Much!

When I was first starting out, I was excited to come into the homes of my patients, but I also felt the need to buy assessment and therapy items to make my sessions successful. 

I purchased many items when I started with FOX, and most have honestly been unnecessary. Instead, I recommend asking your Regional Director if there are any items or assessments you will receive prior to starting. Also, get creative! When working in your patients’ homes, there are so many items you can use (cups, coins, towels, etc). The only things you’ll definitely need when starting out are a pulse ox and blood pressure cuff/stethoscope to measure your patient’s vitals. 

And remember. The more you bring into the house, the more you have to clean!

4. Take Advantage of Your Mentor

FOX Rehabilitation is such a great practice to begin your career with because of the mentorship program. Don’t be afraid to ask your mentor questions! I was fortunate to have a great relationship with my mentor, but there were times when I was still hesitant to ask questions because I didn’t want to take up too much of her time, or felt like it was something I should already know. 

Remember that your mentor chose to be a mentor and is there to help! I found it to be very helpful to schedule weekly calls to have a designated time to ask questions or discuss specific cases. And remember, no question is a dumb one! There are also some great resources on Medbridge that are always available. 

5. Collaborate with Your Colleagues

Having a good relationship with your OT/PT/SLP counterparts is so helpful when it comes to patient care. Collaboration can help with carryover and encourage each others’ recommendations for your mutual patients. It helps both plans of care when you are on the same page and able to encourage one another’s recommendations to help with carryover. 

My PT counterparts were so helpful in the beginning, especially because they were able to offer me insights into my patients prior to my initial evaluation. We are also able to help each other out with scheduling as needed.

6. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

Give yourself some grace when starting your career and know that there are going to be times when you don’t know the answer. If a patient asks you a question and you aren’t sure, it is okay to tell them that you don’t know but that you are going to find out! 

Also, know that you will learn something new almost every day. It’s also so critical to designate time for self-care and give yourself time to do the things that you enjoy doing. Finding a healthy work-life balance is best for you and your patients because you will show up as the best version of yourself when you do.

7. Take Advantage of Available Resources

Starting your first job is both exciting and challenging. There are things you will learn along the way, and FOX has so many great resources to take advantage of to ease your transition, including resources on FOX4U, FOX Clinical Corner, Medbridge, and other colleagues on your team. 

As someone who has been through it myself, I am more than happy to answer questions or provide support in any way—just reach out!

Curious if FOX is for you? Read more about our Emerging Professionals Mentor Program or browse career opportunities in your area.