This week’s spotlight is on Bianca Bergamesca, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS, a non-clinical occupational therapist who is now a Lead Clinician and Reviewer for Periscope!
We’re excited to share that Periscope is a hiring partner of Go Non-Clinical, our community for clinicians exploring non-clinical careers!
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What is your full name, title, and company name for your current, primary role?
Bianca Bergamesca, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS — Lead Clinician and Reviewer for Periscope
What additional roles do you currently have?
My main role is a full time reviewer. I review in-home assessments completed by our consultants across the country for accuracy and thoroughness. These assessments are for a wide variety of durable medical equipment, home modifications, and home care services. Additionally, I assist to represent Periscope and Health Plans on State Fair Hearings, and work with our consultants in Ohio to assist with scheduling in-home assessments.
Where are you located?
Columbus, OH.
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If you’re a Non-Clinical 101 student or Go Non-Clinical member, you can network with many of our spotlight participants in our community!
What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?
I worked as an occupational therapist in a skilled nursing facility for one year.
In what setting(s) did you work, and what types of patients did you treat?
I worked in a skilled nursing facility and in home health therapy for the geriatric population. A lot of my home health therapy was provided for residents in Assisted and Independent Living Facilities.
What did you enjoy about your early roles? What didn’t you enjoy?
I loved the connection with my patients and my team members. I did not enjoy the high productivity standards.
When and why did you decide to do something non-clinical?
I applied to Periscope as a consultant, for a side gig while I worked in home health therapy. I wanted to see what other options were out there to impact the lives of vulnerable populations in a different way.
What are you doing these days?
I am a full-time employee for Periscope.
Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?
I am solely non-clinical, as I am no longer actively treating patients.
How long have you been in your current Lead Clinician and Reviewer role?
I have been full-time as a W2 employee with Periscope since June 2024, but have been working for the company as a consultant (1099 employee) since 2020.
How did you find your job? Did you apply or find it through a connection?
I found it on Indeed.
Editor’s note: Periscope is a hiring partner of The Non-Clinical PT! If you’re interested in non-clinical roles for rehab therapists, check out all of their current openings on Periscope’s careers page.
How have people reacted to you leaving patient care?
People always ask if I miss patient care. I do, but I have found great value in non-clinical work and truly feel I am making a difference in the lives of the people I work for.
What’s a typical day or week in the life like for you? What types of tasks and responsibilities fill your time?
I work fully remote. The hours are flexible, so each day is different.
I am responsible for completing reviews of home assessments our consultants complete, working with our consultants on scheduling, and working on the State Fair Hearing Team.
What are some of the rewards of your Lead Clinician and Reviewer role? What are the biggest challenges?
Rewards are the relationships I have built with my coworkers, and the endless opportunities with the company. I have been able to take on new roles that I would not have been able to otherwise as a treating clinician.
It is challenging to balance multiple roles, but I enjoy having a variety of opportunities.
How did your clinical background prepare you for this role? Which skills transferred?
My clinical background gave me the knowledge I need to review reports related to durable medical equipment and home care services.
What type of person do you think would do well in your Lead Clinician and Reviewer role?
Someone who is detail-oriented, a good multi-tasker, is willing to learn new things quickly, and is flexible.
Do you work remotely or onsite?
Remote.
Does your organization hire PT, OT, or SLP professionals into non-clinical roles? If so, what type of roles?
Yes, we hire PT/OT for completing in-home assessments related to the need for durable medical equipment, home health services, and more.
Editor’s note: You can also find all open positions at Periscope on the private job board inside our Go Non-Clinical community, where members can contact hiring managers directly and get a head start on the application process.
Did you read any books, take any courses, or do anything special overall to get you where you are today?
I took the Certified Aging in Place courses to receive this certification and multiple continuing education courses to obtain my Assistive Technology Professional certification.
What is a typical career path for someone in your Lead Clinician and Reviewer role?
There are many different career paths. First, I was a consultant completing in-home assessments as a 1099 employee. Then I became a reviewer, to review other therapists’ assessments. Now, I am a full-time reviewer (W2 employee) and have joined other teams within the company.
What is next for you? What are your high-level career aspirations?
I hope to continue to grow with Periscope and become a team leader.
Editor’s note: This spotlight is part of a five-part series featuring members of the Periscope team. From flexible 1099 consulting to full-time clinical leadership and C-suite roles, these spotlights show the range of non-clinical career paths available to rehab therapists at Periscope. Read the rest of the series:
