SAMANTHA SHEA LEMOINS, BHS, COTA/L
Passionate Healthcare Provider and Educator
Ph.D. Student- Health & Rehabilitation Science
ABOUT ME
My Story
In May of 2012 I graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. In December of 2014, I began as a student with the Missouri Health Professions Consortium, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
I have had extensive experience within the health field, providing outpatient coverage, as well as “short-stay” rehab and long term care therapy.
I am driven to provide support and promote independence to those with disabilities, overcoming medical issues, or post elective surgeries.
I returned to The Missouri Health Professions Consortium as an Adjunct Instructor, which has lead to me returning to my Alma Mater at the University of Missouri to assist in initiating the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, while working towards a Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science in order to serve as a clinical instructor in higher education, to help shape future Occupational Therapy practitioners and share my unique experience and skill set.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
My Experience
Nobody is born a professional at their industry-everyone who wants to be exceptional at something has to work hard at it, both through practical work experience and education. Read below for details on my education and past work experience.
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
October 2019-Present
Assists in the recruitment and implementation of the Efficacy of Metacognitive-Strategy Training to Improve Performance and reduce Motor Impairment in Sub-Acute Stroke research project in conjunction with Dr. Tim Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.
Drafts and finalizes Manual of Operations components, as well as all necessary forms and logs for successful implementation of the project, including collaborating with an updating the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Meets with potential participants for recruitment purposes, schedules future meetings/treatment sessions and implements necessary assessments to determine eligibility.
Responsible for the support and training of the grad students/blind raters and will serve as a blind rater as needed prior to randomization of participants.
Assists in overseeing outcome assessments as proposed in the study.
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA/L)
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
MISSOURI ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITURE (MOI)- INPATIENT REHAB
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
September 2019-Present
Treatment of populations ranging from young adults to the geriatric population. Primary areas consisted of inpatient rehabilitation and inpatient orthopedic surgery.
Role on the inpatient rehabilitation unit involved direct patient care, family training, and participation in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed.
Works with the healthcare team, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistant, speech language pathologists, etc.
Assisted with other dynamics of the Therapy Department including daily scheduling updates of inpatient caseload, communication with immediate supervisors, etc.
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
MISSOURI HEALTH PROFESSIONS CONSORTIUM OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PROGRAM
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
June 2018-August 2019
Provides the students of the Missouri Health Professions Consortium Occupational Therapy Assistant program with the knowledge and skills required to meet the standards of the Missouri and National Board Exam. Offers advisement and supervision, as well as instruction during skilled Labs and lectures, while upholding and demonstrating superior ethical and professional morals, and providing knowledge and unique experiences to enhance understanding of evidence based and best practice methods.
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, COTA/L
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
May 2015-June 2018
Promoted health and independent living through creativity, passion, and drive, developed increased leadership and communication skills, while providing client centered care to the patients at The Bluff’s. Aides in neurological re-education, orthopedic postoperative treatments, and safety awareness to promote increased functional performance. Utilized the ability to communicate effectively, provide continuous support, and attention to detail to assist in the success of the rehab department, including performing Director of Therapy duties when necessary. Other duties included thorough documentation and communication with medical doctors and surgeons of Columbia, Missouri.
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, COTA/L
BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
January 2015- July 2017
Provided weekend coverage to the patient’s of Boone Hospital Center to ensure thorough treatments and discharge planning, including general safety training, car transfer training, Activities of Daily Living retraining with the use of adaptive equipment, and required education for successful return to most independent environment. Miscellaneous duties include scheduling of patient’s for increased efficiency and success within the therapy department for all weekend staff. Also communicated efficiently and effectively with Boone Medical doctors and surgeons for optimal client-centered care.
EDUCATION
My education has not only provided the foundation for the rest of my experiences, but has also made me a lifelong learner who is eager to gain more skills and knowledge. Take a look at my academics below.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE
August 2008 - May 2012
Cum Laude, University of Missouri, School of Health Professions
Deans List, School of Health Professions
MOBERLY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATES OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
January 2014 - December 2014
President’s List, 2014
GPA: 3.9/4.0
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCE
August 24th, 2020-Present
Ph.D. Student
MINOR IN COLLEGE TEACHING (MICT)
In addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science, I also completed a Minor in College Teaching (MICT).
Gained meaningful experience through a mentored teaching practicum
Increased knowledge about learning and pedagogy
Engaged in careful reflection about teaching philosophy and strategies
Extended understanding of current issues in higher education
Read specific details about my experience by clicking the button below.
RESEARCH INTEREST
With personal and professional experience in the realm of Occupational Therapy in the Orthopedic setting, I hope to focus my research on the Biopsychosocial aspects of orthopedic trauma. I plan to assess the current role of Occupational Therapy and the benefit to one's orthopedic outcomes post trauma. I will push the bounds of current orthopedic occupational therapy in the hopes of improving occupational participation and performance through early activity and modification for improved engagement in patient's required and desired roles and responsibilities.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Occupational Therapy Association, Active Member
Missouri Occupational Therapy Association, Active Member
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Active Member
MISSION
To be a compassionate, innovative, reliable Occupational Therapy Assistant that motivates clients towards increased independence, acts as a positive addition to any patient-care team, and works as a morally and ethically sound employee that is effective and efficient.
As a clinical instructor for the University of Missouri, Bachelor's of Health Science-Occupational Therapy Assistant, I hope to help shape future occupational therapy practitioners to be well equipped clinicians with a adequate clinical competence. I aim to do this by demonstrating a high moral, ethical and professional character, emphasizing the importance of client-centered, evidence based care.
As a Ph.D. Student, I will strive to contribute to the field of Occupational Therapy through research and life-long learning, while representing the University of Missouri and the School of Health Professions, Health and Rehabilitation Science department in a positive light through exceptional work, effective communication, and professional presentation of self and institution.
SKILLS
Team Player: Enjoys working within a team. Appreciates taking on the leadership role, as a self-motivator, as well as allowing for others to assume this position when better fit.
Problem Solver: Resolves in-depth tribulations in a timely and effective manner independently, but will not hesitate to ask for assistance when needed.
Practical Optimism & Solution Focused: unexpected situations and changes are handled with a good attitude and excellent performance.
Dependable: Takes full ownership of work, plans ahead and meets deadlines. Can be counted on to follow through with commitments and brings a high degree of dependability to the job. Always acts with honesty and strong character.
Detail Oriented: Organized And neat to maximize productivity and effectiveness of the team. Under pressure, demonstrates the ability to see what needs to be done and move forward in completing given tasks in a calm and effective manner.
PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FIELD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION SCIENCE
(Emphasis on Orthopedic Trauma & Rehabilitation Research)
CLIFTON STRENGTHS
Created By: Don Clifton, Father of Strengths Psychology and Inventor of Clifton Strengths
1. Strategic: Create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues. Willing to consider all the possibilities so the best isn't missed
2. Relator: Search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all of the factors that might affect a situation. Logical and objective in approach.
3. Achiever: Can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They want to do things now, rather than simply talk about them.
4. Discipline: Enjoys routine and structure. Their world is best described by the order that they create.
5. Responsibility: Take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty. Someone others often trusted to get things done.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."