Following graduation from the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, Rebekah Funk (OTD ’23) accepted an occupational therapy position at Life’s Work of Western PA, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities to engage in meaningful employment. In collaboration with the Life’s Work team, Funk designed and implemented an innovative approach to assessment and training of job skills for individuals with disabilities.
The Vocational Skills Development Lab (VSDL) houses six simulated career workstations representing manufacturing, inventory management, production, hospitality services, retail and food services. Funk and the Life’s Work team developed a robust approach to assessment, including the creation of over 50 task analysis performance assessments. As the vocational skills lab manager, she is responsible for completing person-centered assessments with individuals with disabilities to inform her recommendation for the best employment path for the individual.
Funk is appreciative of her Pitt Doctor of Occupational Therapy capstone experiences, which advanced her skills and contributed to her transition into an occupational therapy role focusing on program development and implementation. She remains committed to expanding service delivery for young adults with disabilities transitioning into adulthood and is delighted to serve in her role at Life’s Work.
Click on the image above to watch the Vocational Skills Development Lab video on YouTube.