6th Cycle Event Dates:
Applications Open: January 5, 2025
6th Cycle Begins: February 15, 2025
Program Requirements
TNOTA welcomes all students and practitioners who meet the below criteria to apply for the TNOTA Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program. Mentees may be students or practitioners and will be paired with experienced practitioners for mentorship. See below for further criteria, and updated requirements and FAQs!
MENTOR Criteria
- Must have an active Tennessee occupational therapy license
- Must be an OT or OTA
- Must have 2 years experience practicing occupational therapy
MENTEE Criteria
- OT and OTA practitioners must have an active Tennessee license
- Students must be attending an OT or OTA program in Tennessee
- Students must be a second year OT or OTA student in Tennessee by the beginning of the Mentorship Program Cycle
Requirements
- Participate in all 10 months of program
- Attend Orientation
- Complete pre-program survey
- Create goals to discern objectives for mentorship
- Monthly meetings- in person and virtual meetings (i.e. FaceTime, Zoom, Skype) highly encouraged
- Complete monthly lesson plans
- Complete post-program survey
- Submit goals and lesson plans to committee
Pairings will be based on the number of mentors and mentees, area(s) of interest, and practice area, as well as location and other personal and professional characteristics. TNOTA will take diversity, equity, and inclusion into account when assigning mentorship pairings. While we will make every effort to pair all applicants, we cannot guarantee a mentorship pairing during this 6th Mentorship Program cycle. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Program Benefits
- 1:1 mentorship pairing
- Goal setting templates provided to enhance mentorship objectives
- Clear month-to-month guidelines with lesson plan template
- List of Suggested Topics provided to guide monthly meetings
- Opportunity to build professional relationships and network
- Opportunity to attend CEU events (free for TNOTA members)
- Direct contact and support from the TNOTA Mentorship Committee
- Certificate of Completion provided following the completion of the Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I have to have a TNOTA paid membership to apply?
A: NO! ALL OT/OTA practitioners with an active TN License are able to apply for the Sixth Cycle of the Mentorship Program. TNOTA has many resources and advocacy initiatives for all OT practitioners and students, and we would encourage participants to consider becoming at TNOTA member. See more information on Membership Information and FAQs, Advocacy Resources, and the Student Section.
Q: Will I be guaranteed a pairing for the program?
A: Although we will try our best to pair all applicants, we cannot guarantee pairing due to the varying number of applicants, practice areas, and other professional areas of interest.
Q: When will the next (sixth) cycle of the Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program begin?
A: The next (sixth) cycle of the Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program will begin February 15, 2025.
Q: What does the Program timeline look like?
A:
Q: Why is mentorship crucial?
A: The following two quotes best answer this question:
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“Mentoring is an essential component of occupational therapy practice around the globe. It is both a relationship and a process between at least two individuals that provides support and an exchange of knowledge and expertise” ( Doyle et al., 2016; Williams & Kim, 2011).
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“Mentoring affords personalised learning for professional growth. Research across disciplines has shown mentoring to positively affect behaviour, attitude, motivation, job performance, organisational commitment, and career productivity and success” (Doyle et al., 2019).
Q: Who can apply to the mentorship program as a MENTOR?
A: An OT or OTA with an active Tennessee license and 2 years experience practicing occupational therapy.
Q: Who can apply to the mentorship program as a MENTEE?
A: An OT and OTA practitioner with a Tennessee license. Students attending an OT and OTA program in Tennessee and at least in their second year of the program by the beginning of the Mentorship Program Cycle may also apply.
Q: What is an occupational therapy Mentor vs. a Mentee?
A: A MENTOR is an experienced practitioner who takes on the role of an advisor and “works closely with a mentee for the purposes of teaching, guiding, supporting, and facilitating professional growth and development” (Nolinske, 1995; Taylor, 1992; Yates et al., 1997).
A MENTEE is an occupational therapy practitioner or student who is supported, advised, and encouraged by the mentor.
We strongly encourage a mutually beneficial relationship where both parties work equally to keep in communication.
Q: How many mentees can a mentor have during a program cycle?
A: A mentor will be paired with ONE mentee.
Q: Does being a MENTOR qualify for CEUs?
A: A licensed occupational therapy practitioner mentoring a licensed occupational therapy practitioner can qualify for CEUs. Please see link for more information: https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1150/1150.htm. The TNOTA Mentorship Committee is advocating to gain CEU credit for practitioners who are mentoring students, as well as advocating for CEU credit for new practitioners who are mentees. We will continue to update the website throughout this process.
Q: What areas can I be mentored in?
A: All practice areas including acute care adults and pediatrics; early intervention; geriatrics; inpatient rehabilitation; home health pediatrics and adults; mental health; NICU; outpatient adults, neuro, orthopedics, pediatrics; school-based; skilled nursing; and other areas of practice. Non-clinical areas such as academia, advocacy, entrepreneurship, leadership, policy, research, telehealth, and other non-clinical areas will also be available for mentorship.
Q: How long is the Sixth Cycle?
A: Ten months. You MUST complete an application prior to the application deadline.
Q: How will mentors and mentees interact?
A: Monthly interaction/discussion between Mentee and Mentor is required. In person or virtual meetings (i.e. FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc.) are highly encouraged.
Q: How will I be paired with a mentor that has similar professional experience so that it’s easier for us to connect?
A: Pairings will be based upon number of mentors and mentees, geographic region, current practice setting or interests, practice setting experience (for practitioners), other relevant areas of interest (advocacy, leadership, research, etc.), other professional involvement and experience, Level I and Level II fieldwork placements (for students), other personal and professional characteristics, among other application information.
Q: What will the mentor and mentee discuss monthly?
A: TNOTA will provide a List of Suggested Topics for reference throughout the program Cycle. TNOTA also offers Mentorship Resources.
Q: What do you use the survey data for?
A: The survey data will be used to further the success of the TNOTA Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: About 1 hour per month to meet with mentor/mentee for the duration of the 10 month program, in addition to the time required to complete goal setting documents and monthly lesson plans that are submitted to the committee for review.
Quotes From Program Participants
What did MENTORS find most beneficial regarding TNOTA’s Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program?
“It was very enjoyable to connect with OT and COTA students to get an understanding of the program they are enrolled in. I think we had valuable conversations that provided the mentee insight into the “real life” therapy world.”
“I enjoyed being able to mentor OTs and COTAs and mentoring them from the end of their schooling to the start of their career.”
“Networking and helping others achieve personal and professional goals.”
“I think it’s great to provide students and new practitioners with a support system like the mentorship program.”
“Love giving back in a meaningful way that also works with my busy schedule.”
What did MENTEES find most beneficial regarding TNOTA’s Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program?
“I'm so glad this program gave me the opportunity to connect with an OT in the state and learn from their experiences. I have learned to network as well and build a relationship to where I can approach my mentor with any concerns I might have in the real world and she would gladly be there to support me. She challenged me in ways I hadn't been challenged in school and I truly appreciated her taking her time out for me whenever it was needed.”
“The openness and honesty of my mentor. She was available at all times to help with any problem I had regarding school or the OT journey and made me feel very competent after we met.”
“Having a OTR/L mentor that was more than willing to answer all of my questions and give me advice in all areas involving level 2 fieldwork, NBCOT prep, interprofessional teamwork, the future of OT and the impact of COVID-19, and my future as an OT as a whole.”
“I honestly feel like the program increased my professionalism. My mentor really helped me understand my value to the OT profession.”
“Being able to connect and have a source for guidance of someone who has been in my shoes and helped me through some conflicts in fieldwork.”
“Being able to learn from an experienced COTA, and being able to work through treatment ideas or issues that would come up at work.”
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Mentorship Committee
If you'd like to learn more about our initiatives or have questions, please contact the Mentorship Committee at [email protected]
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