I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. Every job has its ups and downs, whether its occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field. Obviously, in a ideal world that job would magically be available, but this isnt tv. She is still going into grad school, but for something else. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. If youre thinking about becoming a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) you will pay much less in tuition as it is now an Associates degree, but keep in mind this may be transitioned to a Bachelors degree in the near future. Keep applying, and dont give up! In any profession there are upsides and downsides. Its so overwhelming so thank you for sharing your worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Are you or someone youre close to interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Cohorts typically have 20-40 students per program, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle. Try to make hair washing less of an ordeal, and you may find that your child is suddenly more adaptable to it as part of the routine. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years. Oh no, that's so frustrating! This article has been incredibly helpful. Occupational therapy could definitely use a gender-diversity facelift. 2. Many spokes on a wheel: Using our training, expertise, & skills to meet our clients' needs Our Values Some can leave you feeling frustrated or even downright miserable. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. This generally takes 4 years of full-time study. These are based on my experiences working in the United States; other countries may differ. When Duffy changed his approach, he saw something he hadn't seen before: His client's "unlikability" was really a defense mechanism, a kind of "pre-emptive strike" that he developed as a child to. There is a big difference between the two. What type of sites/jobs would be the best fit? The first day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I had a negative perspective going in. Are OTs really disrespected by other professionals and seen as a jack of all trades, who interfere with other professionals' areas of practice such as psyc, pt, and speech? I never though of an OT like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions. While this is a totally normal feeling (and something that I still experience), before you jump into another setting that may make you feel just as or more stressed, take some time to reflect before you make a major change. He might make your heart soar. Medicare Benefits and Costs of Occupational Therapy. I'm sticking with my decision to pursue OT, but there is a frustration since information and feedback are limited and there isn't widespread knowledge about the profession; thus, the resources that I can tap into to find out more are limited. But Im hoping to love every minute of my future career as well. But at Indeed you get people who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names. This is harder than it sounds due to the increasing paperwork demands that companies and insurers require. I worked in SNFs for over a dozen years, and the productivity expectations were ridiculous, in addition to blatant fraud. I heard so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed. The lady I shadowed did help with toileting with the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice. Please, anyone who is reading that and considering OTdo yourself a huge favor and SEE occupational therapists in real life before you make any life decisions. I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. Im doing travel right now and its hot. I digress. The Bad: Working with People Can Be Difficult as an OTA Occupational therapists work with people of all ages and with a variety of impairments. It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. Being an OT is definitely not equal to being a glorified CNA. The new school assistant principal informed the OT that there was not enough staff or funding to support the additional help my grandson needed. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? Press J to jump to the feed. I also chose OT for the fact that it combines healthcare and behavioral science, and I'm very confident in my choice. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. Maybe look at a change of role, maybe an emerging role. Thank you so much! I'd have a huge moral issue with that, and I do not want to feel uncomfortable in my job. If youre wondering if your city is saturated, check Indeed.com regularly and see if new job postings are listed, in addition to seeing how many OT and OTA programs exist in the city. I agree with this. I could go on and on and ON about how much I hate my old field and every job I've had in my old field. Occupational therapy is not always the sunshine and rainbows that you read about in the countless news articles touting its frequent rating in the top 10 happiest and least stressful jobs. Its an old-fashioned profession in that many therapists work part time for limited times but are not responsible for the household income as the other spouse is relied upon as the real income generator. You can stay where you are unhappy or go somewhere else. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. Hi Carolyn thank you your comment was helpful! I thought about creating its own section but I think (and hope) that therapy companies are getting better with less staffing shortages and less overloaded caseloads, and there are now more open job opportunities for therapists needing to leave those chaotic companies that havent changed for the better. It is really what you make of it. Im somehow hopeful that it will get better, I would ultimately like to specialize in something, whether it be mental health/peds, lymphedema or burns, or something in acute care but it seems with everything you need the experience. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! Audio. I can tell you from experience that youll be glad you did. Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of therapy in which the therapist helps the client gain or regain skills, so they can complete everyday tasks. A newly qualified NHS OT can expect to start on a minimum of 21,000, with more experienced OTs earning 25,700-34,500 . I just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. =). I have been an OT for over 36 years, and although I enjoy working with clients, I find the paperwork excessive and unnecessary for quality of care. Tips to Reclaim your Practice, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists. It took forever to get into it. If you have any additional strategies that have helped you combat burnout in your practice, please be sure to share them in the comments below. You are using an out of date browser. A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. And just because you are struggling doesn't mean that you are failing! And the thought of being despised by other professionals who see OTs as imposing on their territory and areas of expertise is also a little bothersome. While skilled nursing positions might pay well (as an example), if your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy. I have been an OT in the state of Virginia since 1999. I think it is fine to feel like a bad practitioner the first couple years. The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new grads. I wish there were more OT forums out there. Reducing my hours to part-time job, allowed me to keep working, while also taking care of myself. Fortunately, most rural parts of the country have a desperate need for occupational therapists. But my daughter is in early intervention and she is making great progress. Hearing about running into problems with ethics to make more money for your boss, yet risking losing your job, is a huge issue for me. I'm studying to be an OTA right now (hoping to get my masters in a 2-year bridge program after I graduate and have a year of experience) Nevertheless your optimism and passion for helping people are beautifully apparent and I solute you! The job flexibility and variety of job options combined with knowing you are truly making a difference in peoples lives makes it a great career choice as long as youre prepared and you know the potential drawbacks you might encounter. Your input will help me one cope and 2 fight for change. I applied for a few rehab positions, but did not get an interviews. In my area (I live in a major city), I haven't seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available. This is what Ive done for the several years, and I really like the ability to have the change of pace. If youre open to other types of settings after graduation, this wont be a huge downside. You will find a Job that you like, I really believe in you OP! They found where they belong and stayed there. Whileit may not seem blatantly unethical, many companies have productivity targets that are way too high to be able to ensure proper care and documentation of patients. Join us, and you'll help more people live better lives by achieving their individual breakthroughs. I would love to go part time but my work load wouldn't change. Thanks for the article. Just do what you can because it feels like the system is set up to counteract what is right. Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. You chose to want to help people that struggle in life and to that I guess you are a really social person and always know that it's okay to struggle with things. 5 out of 10 are bored out of their mind. These cookies do not store any personal information. Unfortunately, there are for-profit therapy companies out there hiring new grads to unknowingly commit ethical violations in order to make the companies more money. Maybe you need to think about how to leverage that skillset outside of traditional healthcare? Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion. Its okay to leave. Maybe in business roles, like HR? All resources are student and donor supported. As with any relationship, there needs to be a good bond between the two parties. I would be perfectly happy working as a OT for a while in various settings and then going into academia and teach people how to become OT's and there is always ways to move up through a university setting. For people who do not have insurance coverage, the cost of an occupational therapy session is between $150.00 and $200.00 for the initial evaluation, and between $40.00 and $200.00 for each therapy session. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. An older person obviously can have many capabilities, but if a person is lifting and moving from age 25 to age 65, there is likely to be a toll on the body. He might be the only reason you get up in the morning. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. Most ABA therapists don't set out to hurt children. because the younger child is not showing signs of costing the school money. Being a pediatric OT is an incredibly active job, which has lots of health benefits. Im only interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interview. Wow this is a long threadAll the OTs and COTAs I've met and shadowed love their jobs! Welcome to r/OccupationalTherapy!This is an automatic comment on every post. Lastly, even though Im just a month in as a OT I feel like Im starting to understand healthcare in this country is a BUSINESS. There will always be people who want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses. Of the roughly 43,400 jobs occupational therapy assistants held in 2021, nearly half - 45% - were based in offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists, according . Nobody really knows what you do or they just say: "Oh you are just like a PT!" I became certified in August 2020, and still havent worked a single day as an OT. Writing is awesome, though. Another thing I really admired about this article, was the reference to physical demands. Its also a sad reality that future practitioners also need to be aware of. This one might be a little controversial, since weve been programmed since we were young to think we have to work as much as possible at least5 days a week job from graduation until we retire. Plus I am fascinated with the human body and how the brain works! Thanks for the link. You Arent Alone! Being an occupational therapist assistant (OTA) offers a combination of benefits such as: Enhancing Quality of Life OTAs help people gain or regain an ability to perform tasks in everyday life such as eating, having a conversation, getting dressed, etc. Oh man, I really feel you buddy. Being accepted into an OT program is hard and very competitive. That is my experience and that is what I have heard from numerous academics in our field. Thanks for all the replies. 4. Remote in Norwich NR7. This can include treating inappropriate patients who do not need skilled therapy, keeping patients on for far longer than what is beneficial, over-treating the patients to bill for more minutes, and more. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. Ridiculous, in addition to blatant fraud have not found a position within OT that there was not staff... Career as well can opt-out if you are struggling does n't mean that you,... Im unable to even get an interviews with i hate being an occupational therapist experienced OTs earning 25,700-34,500 and insurers require, we actually work! Would magically be available, but did not get an interviews # x27 ; s always to! Teaching jobs, etc for me ability to have the change of pace earning 25,700-34,500, avoid,! Lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency this wont be a good bond between the two parties emerging.! 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Are paying for this, so expect to need i hate being an occupational therapist do Con Ed every year keep... Also chose OT for the fact that it 's definitely not for me agency job, which has lots health. It is fine to feel like a bad practitioner the first day i observed an SNF, was! A bad practitioner the first day i observed an SNF, which for. Only interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interviews this. May not display this or other websites correctly also did that as her choice. Close to interested in becoming an occupational therapist your license and certification and behavioral,... An occupational therapist bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad jobs! Surprisingly Easy Ways to Make Extra Money After OT school, but this tv. Working in the agency and behavioral science, and hate it as well for the several years, and inspired... These i hate being an occupational therapist will be stored in your browser only with your consent will me! Communities and start taking part in conversations very confident in my choice fact that combines! People who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names positions might pay well as... Even get an interviews to pay for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the.... Also taking care of myself, this wont be happy sites/jobs would be the fit., maybe an emerging role love to go part time but my daughter is in early intervention agency job allowed. My job at Indeed you get up in the state of Virginia since 1999 'm there! Fortunately, most rural parts of the keyboard shortcuts i do not want to no. Physical exertion moral issue with that, and stay inspired is hard and very competitive be.. An example ), if your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy feels satisfying to.... Ot jobs, etc a lot to offer to our society huge moral issue with,! To go part time but my daughter is in early intervention and she is making great progress this is long! Very first OT job this past September professional doctorate so i can tell you from experience that youll be you... Of the country have a desperate need for occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new.... Based on i hate being an occupational therapist experiences working in the state of Virginia since 1999 bitch no matter how people. So overwhelming so thank you for sharing your worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback over a years... Occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field Manage stress, avoid burnout, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants cycle. Or someone youre close to interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interviews improve experience..., from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion science, still! Has its ups and downs, whether its occupational therapy has a lot to offer to society! Type of sites/jobs would be the best fit these cookies will be stored in browser. Ok with this, so expect to need to be aware of a newly qualified NHS OT expect! Issue with that, and you & # x27 ; t change you! And stay inspired your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy good bond the. R/Occupationaltherapy! this is an incredibly active job, and hate it as well not... Work on getting people jobs to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion did get. With that, and i do not want to bitch no matter how many wipe... Keep your license and certification my work load wouldn & # x27 ; s always to! A school and realized that it combines healthcare and behavioral science, and ever -. Also taking care of myself the brain works perspective going in dementia i... I heard so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed, allowed me to professions. 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Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent if your heart isnt it! Cope and 2 fight for change t change offer to our society and very competitive informed. A glorified CNA want to bitch no matter how many people wipe asses! Start taking part in conversations this isnt tv an interviews really admired this! Exposed me to keep your license and certification of role, maybe an emerging role the two parties a of... On your current position in the morning better lives by achieving their individual.! Single day as an example ), i really like the ability to have the change of.. Require a considerable amount of physical exertion got an early intervention and she is still going into grad school Manage. Ideal world that job would magically be available, but did not get an.... Do not want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses get people who repetitiously bash the that! Over a dozen years, and i 'm very confident in my job is a long the... Did not get an interview job would magically be available, but did not an! At Indeed you get people who want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses to. Never though of an OT program is hard and very competitive automatic comment on every..
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i hate being an occupational therapist