OJT - Clinical Setting
I want to share my OJT experiences on clinical setting, even though I got my lowest grade here. This one is still my favorite.
Rebirth Philippines Therapeutic Community Foundation Inc. in Bustos, Bulacan is a DOH accredited treatment and rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction, behavioral problems and mental illness. My experiences at Rebirth had been filled me great memories to remember. My practicum in the clinical setting taught me many things that will surely of great help in the near future.
This internship provides the chance to apply the theories I have learned from my major subjects specifically in psychological testing and administration, abnormal psychology and clinical psychology. In line with psychological testing and administration, my experience focuses on tagging names to resident’s personal data inventory, tallying client’s personal data, administering and interpreting a psychological test.
Who would have thought that after almost a month, I will learn different things during my training inside a rehabilitation center. Those experiences will remain forever in my heart. The people I have met inside, the nurse, the social worker the psychologist, the admin, and the patients, there will be always a part of them inside of the person I am now. Patients taught me things that I will never learn in other fields. Their stories will always leave a mark inside of my personality; their experiences will always be my guide.
The first time we went at Rebirth for inquiring for our clinical setting on the job training, I thought it was terrible. I judged the facility quickly as we entered and it was because of the ambiance of the place. I felt scared by that time because of what I saw. In addition, people at the visiting area which we don’t know, can’t even afford to give us a warm look, they didn’t even smile. I knew it had nothing to do with our trainings, but I didn’t think poker faces from the people there wouldn’t give us any happy spirit to push through
On the first day of our OJT at Rebirth, we met Mr. Abraham Perez whom we call “Sir Dayo”. He is a registered psychometrician and he had happened to be our supervisor. He is approachable, young and intelligent; it was very evident the he knows what he is doing. He also oriented us about the place and what we will expect to do the entire OJT in the clinical setting. Unfortunately, he was replaced at the middle of our training. That one is Mr. Kit Simon Torres, who had happened to be a trainee psychologist at first, became our new supervisor. We were all got shocked that time because Sir Dayo was for us is the better because sir Kit was less hands-on and less interactive with the practicumers. Moreover, I remembered that time Sir Dayo discussed to us that the institution caters more drug addicts and told us about the 7 profile of an addict and the do’s and don’ts inside the place.
7 Profiles of an Adadict
1. Egocentric
2. Easily Frustrated
3. Manipulative
4. Irritable
5. Lacks Empathy
6. Liar
7. Blame Tosser
The over-all approach to the residents at Rebirth was bit off to the OJTs. Not to mention what is really happening inside, but to sum up, it was like a military type of approach to the residents. First, we were asked to observe what is happening every day inside the activity hall. And to our surprise, it was our first time to see such things and actions in person. Personally, in the beginning, I can’t handle the pressure inside but eventually I almost adapt to the environment and became more familiar with the programs. It became part of my system to be aware of what should be done inside the place they called “Lugar ng Pagbabago”. Yes, it was called such because most of the residents are drug addicts.
During the morning meeting, patients raise concerns regarding the facilities or other residents. There are certain fumbles that being identified which are synonymous to disobedience or breaking off rules. Patients should confess what they have done in front of the other patients and give explanations. On the afternoon, there are seminars which facility personnel and OJT conduct. The topics are about the values and the likes to be discussed interactively with residents. One of the seminars we conducted was about the concept of humanistic psychology and how it relates to drug addiction. We prepare presentations for the easy understanding of the residents. Prior to the seminar discussion, we always prepared new ice breakers for the residents. Most of the sensitive parts of the program such as pre-discharge, process, case analysis etc., we were just commanded to observe. But to be honest, those recovery processes we had observed throughout our training are the ones that really gave us the emotional part of ourselves. We cannot help sometimes but to feel the pain.
Dos’ and Don’ts’ inside the “Pagbabago”:
· Should not make fun of the patients
· There should be prepared plans to be accomplished everyday
· Observe confidentiality at all times
· Gadgets should be kept out of reach of patients
· Attire should not be revealing
· Be vigilant
· Maintain clinical eye so as not to be controlled by the patients
· Do not make noises and behavior that can distract patients
· Should be firm to avoid being vulnerable
· Do not develop romantic relationship with patients
· Avoid giving personal information
Part of my duty as an intern is to be prepared for the infinite and diverse tasks those exist; part of my challenge is being not only prepared but flexible for that diversity. My typical day as an intern would begin at 9 am. We were asked to prepare group dynamics for the patients during their daily activities. We were also preparing seminars which we do once a week. In every end of the day, even though I’m feeling so exhausted and drained, I had to prepare myself for another new day!
The most challenging part of our experience was when we were assigned to one of the residents. We conducted interview sessions with the residents and administered some psychological test such as projective and intelligence test. The resident assigned to me was Mr. Morality. Upon having this test administration and evaluation, I felt the amazement for the hypothetical terms from books and reading gradually came into real life. I feel like saying, “Is it for real?”.
Theoretical training from books and lectures brought a lot of help in every test administration and evaluation I embarked on. With these, I was to understand Mr. Morality’s immediate need and present predicaments which led me in dealing with them effectively and offering an intellectual input to my work. Provided I’m just a neophyte in this kind of noble career, my testing sessions would not be as successful as it was without the supervision, expertise, untiring effort, and valuable suggestions from Sir Dayo. I learned strategic way of administering battery of tests and furnishing a more comprehensive and time bound psychological report.
The following are the psychological test I administered to Mr. Morality:
· Sack’s Sentence Completion Test
· Draw-a-Person Test
· House-Tree-Person Test
· Raven’s Progressive Matrices
· Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test
It was indeed a great experience for me to be on this institution, with my co-trainees. Although, there were lots of siesta times all though out the day, we still built friendship that will last for a lifetime. Furthermore, even when our training hours ended already, we are still welcome to visit our family at Rebirth anytime. Actually, when the opening of the sports festival happened on Sunday, we were all there to support and watch our team for the cheering competition and first game in basketball. Before that, we taught them their cheers and I was so glad that the team I handled won the competition. Also, the end of the training, we got so emotional esp. when we counseled by Sir Kit. We had released our negative emotions and all the burdens we experienced as we enter the institution. It was really helpful because most of us were just trying their best not to get so attached and emotional about all the process and programs happening inside, but honestly, for a person to handle it themselves was quite hard.
The experience was very fulfilling. I would say that I never regretted that we were brought in Rebirth to spend our training. Aside from the happiness that the clients brought, it was also nice to be surrounded by people who are ready to help you. My training as psychology student will be considered the pinnacle of my college education and I think my Rebirth training would be leading among my trainings. Not all interns are given the chance to handle with clients in their own. So I think I am lucky enough to be an intern of this institution. I look forward for more improvement of this institution especially to its facilities so that it may continue to provide help to people who wants to improve their lifestyle under their care. As an intern, I would like to thank everyone in Rebirth for this very great experience.
