Answer (1 of 3): Not sure what you are currently doing for work. Oh man, I really feel you buddy. If you have earned a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology before continuing education to a master's degree, then you can directly apply for a master's degree at many schools. Ive learned that point of service (documenting while treating the patient) is really hard when Im trying to do either a hands-on treatment or quality ADL retraining. 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. I agree with this. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 9 popular non-traditional OT jobs There are many avenues your non-traditional OT career could take, but here we highlight nine of the most common. There is so little mentorship and guidance, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no community or support. Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired (Strategies from AOTA), Are You a Burned Out OT? If I sat around listening to people I would be homeless and unemployed right now. Thanks for the link. 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. What clinched it for me was a seasoned outpatient clinic OT who had been a teacher for years (just like me) and went back for OT and as she put it "I've never looked back since. I don't feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT. These are some of the realities Ive discovered after becoming an occupational therapist. Work Environment About half of occupational therapists work in offices of occupational therapy or in hospitals. Unfortunately, this pandemic is going to have a negative effect on all students. I ended up liking it there. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. Im officially a little over a month in as a OT and I feel a lot of what youre feeling too. Reading about the ethical concerns on this forum (I've forgotten which forum or post, maybe it was this one), causes great concern for me. 10. This school often takes students with or without IEPs. But at Indeed you get people who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names. Upon arrival, it was the entire IEP team. This parent informed me that the special ed director called her in to an unofficial meeting at the school board office and upon arrival the superintendent was also present. 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. Every job has its ups and downs, whether its occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field. Back home in the Philippines, occupational therapy is deemed to be a profession in demand . Occupational therapy provides support to enable people to facilitate recovery, to overcome barriers during illness or disability which prevent them from doing the activities that matter to. I'm just trying to get feedback from practicing OTs and I want to know both the positives and the negatives, what to watch out for, and how to maximize my potential. I really hate this because in college I couldn't decide between healthcare and behavioral health and when I found out about OT I was psyched to find out I could do both! A newly qualified NHS OT can expect to start on a minimum of 21,000, with more experienced OTs earning 25,700-34,500 . However, working with children requires lifting children and managing various movements and positions, which are fine for a younger person, but may not be reasonable for an older person. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. I've heard of this notorious indeed forum from Reddit and people say to pay it no mind. Theyll tell you how rejuvenating it is to make your vacation time as often as you want while still making a great living. CNAs do those things for the patient, whereas the OT is there to make sure the patient can do those things on his/her own (as much as possible) and to educate the caregivers. This article has been incredibly helpful. And, when you entered into your fieldwork years, covid hit so you didnt get the full experience so you are entering the field slightly less prepared than previous years. However, if you are there for the right reason--that you are passionate about providing people with the tools to become independent and can celebrate even small gains then you will feel fufilled. I'm not sure it is wise but I'm excited about a career in OT. Or look for travel jobs like that. While our student loans are high and you might feel like you cant afford to take time off to travel or work less than five days a week, there are other ways to add to your bank account. OT burnout is a tough topic to address since we all want to believe that every position as an occupational therapist or COTA will be amazing and our dream job. If anyone can provide further insight on that, I'd appreciate it. The school system had another student (very similar situation and age) whose parents were told that their son could not return to the school after he had been with the school for 3 yrs. Think about what you like about OT, what drew you to it. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about productivity requirements, expected caseload, hours you will actually get, mentorship, etc. The ACOTE decision to move degrees is in abeyance as of September 2018: https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation/acote-doctoral-mandate-2027.aspx. Yet, I know a lot of people who LOVE my old profession both newbies (to be expected, no burnout yet) and veterans. But as someone who has experienced the stresses of applying to OT school, I can tell you: Both Masters and Doctorate programs are very competitive. It's useful to hear about the things that OTs don't like. Moving around all day, versus sitting for long periods of time, has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature death. I cant speak for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. Prepare for your Exam. You can whine and complain or you can make it better. These cookies do not store any personal information. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. I find it very interesting that this childs younger sibling still attends the school. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. I BEYOND agree with you. The profession can be very physically demanding, which I did not know upon my entrance into school. She was told my grandson might need to be taken off all his meds. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Good luck everyone! It seems many new grads jump into the first job they can get, since it can be really hard to get your first job. Im always on my toes switching back and forth from inpatient rehab to very different diagnoses and treatments in acute care. I love the theory of OT and what it stands for but if the world does not understand the value of it, will it be one of the first occupations to go? Unless you live in a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to travel. That way my total compensation isnt lower as a result of working a few less hours. I can tell you from experience that youll be glad you did. This is important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be well over $100,000, not including interest. Medicare Benefits and Costs of Occupational Therapy. Are You a Burned Out OT? 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. Abstract. In order to be marketable as an academic- it is preferable by most departments to have a PhD, or a related are of study MS. For example a masters in public health, a PhD in sociology, etc etc. Learn how your comment data is processed. Look at places like state hospitals or the VA for different jobs. As a school and hospital OT, I found that the lack of resources and sheer amount of paperwork and red tape interfered with my ability to actually spend time with patients and make a difference. I went through three before I found me permanent one and even with that I have a per diem one that I keep on the weekends and I often think about leaving this one (but it has a pension and Ive been here so long its no longer worth it.) =). I just retired after 40 years as an OTR. Like many things in life, consistency is key. Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy. If you answered yes to these questions, being an Occupational Therapist at Select Medical may be a great fit for you! 5.) 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 agree with OTROX, if the majority of your exposure to OT is coming from these forums then you need to do a little more research on the career. I think any profession will have people who are sick of it and burnt out. They get rid of them. Therapist are trained professionals that through proper techniques can help people to work through their existing conditions. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. Please feel free to email me at sarah@myotspot.com if youd like to discuss this further. ), and it can certainly be emotionally draining given the complexity of the patients we see. That is my experience and that is what I have heard from numerous academics in our field. In the end, my gf has decided not to pursue OT for other reasons. Why. Requesting support and further information. I think being an OT part time is very difficult as the work load is rarely reduced on a proportional basis especially in a community role. Most (60%) of OTs work in the health service; 40% are career changers. It took forever to get into it. The school wants to collect all the federal funding they get for these children with special needs, but they wont provide them the help they need within the school setting. (St. Catherine University). State licensing requirements vary, so make sure to consult your state's occupational therapy regulatory agency. What would be most helpful for you? I might have to see 80 students in. ), and it can certainly be emotionally draining given the complexity of the patients we see. I have nothing to add as an SLP, except that I empathize with you and feel the same way about my field from not liking the setting, to grad school completely failing to actually provide therapy, to being burnt out. With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." Nobody really knows what you do or they just say: "Oh you are just like a PT!" Luckily, therapy usually happens between 9-5 on weekdays. For example, you may need to be able to drive and go to the grocery store. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. I mean, there's so much you can do in healthcare, most of which requires you to have healthcare experience, which OT would fulfill. While juggling multiple PRN jobs might seem difficult, if your hospital has multiple areas, you can usually cross-train and stay within the same system. Yikes. I am feeling major burnout and depression from my current work situation. This can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to patients that are dependent. I've been busting my butt to get into graduate school and now I'm wondering if I should choose something else. Tips to Reclaim your Practice, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists. If OT ends up being slightly less stressful and frustrating than my job as a special ed teacher in a public school system, then I'll be ecstatic. Learn how your comment data is processed. Something what helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day. But in reality, this isnt always the case. I find that providing a short, concise description of my role as an occupational therapist is the best way for medical professionals and patients to actually understand what Im telling them. Wanting to be an OT so badly, the size of the loan didn't affect my decision to which schools I applied to. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. So just know that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. This list isnt meant to scare you away from becoming an OT! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Crystal Smith, Occupational Therapist - Contact: csmith@skusd.k12.ca.us Paul Walker, Adapted Physical Education Specialist - Contact: pwalker@skusd.k12.ca.us Occupational Therapists: Use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. 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. There will always be people who want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses. Occupational therapy can help you with practical tasks if you: are physically disabled; are recovering from an illness or operation An occupational therapist will typically do the following: Observe patients doing tasks, ask the patient questions, and review the patient's medical history. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. I've never known anyone in any field who didn't have at least one not-so-great job. You can make it work for you if this is what you really want. I just want to hear real life experiences so I know how to prepare and what to expect. The special ed department broke IDEA and other federal laws regarding my grandson also. I have contracted to local schools with very low rates. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. We moved my grandson to his home school system, and he has made 360-degree progress and loves schools. I hope the kiddies heard us loud and clear on this one. Plus I am fascinated with the human body and how the brain works! Ditto with home health. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. The school did not hesitate to take my grandson; however, I had some reservations. Top new foods with well-liked sauces or seasonings to help them seem less strange and unusual . Working as an occupational therapist (OT) is a creative and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of your patients every day. But, this is especially applicable in home health therapy. If youre open to other types of settings after graduation, this wont be a huge downside. The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new grads. Use no tear soap. Im so sorry to hear this! Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. 11. Are you or someone youre close to interested in becoming an occupational therapist? And yet, despite making ABA therapy fun and positive, the underlying goals of ABA have not changed. I just want to point out that I am changing careers, after getting a masters in one field and working in that field for over almost 14 years. Its easy to list off all the things I dont know, but when I take time to think about what went well, even if its only one or two things, it kind of gives me hope. Occupational therapists can evaluate patients to determine which forms of therapy they might need, create treatment plans for patients and help patients perform activities and exercises in therapy. With OT, youre helping people achieve their goals and increase their independence and life satisfaction, which far outweighs the downsides. If this is your first time posting, please read the sub rules. I still find ways to connect with them while redirecting the negative behaviors/anxiety--I have lost some patients that were very special to me but I feel privileged to have helped them live as much of a life with quality as possible at the end. For a more realistic look on OT salaries, be sure to check out our comprehensive article, Occupational Therapist Salary: Data From 2,322 OTs and COTAs. I agree with what you said above, but Id also like to add that pay cuts and no raises for several years have been rampant in our profession due to Medicare cut backs. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! Thank you for your contribution. The second year there were major administration changes at the school and upper levels. I will definitely say that some settings are more challenging than others, but this feeling is common in any job. Spending several hours in there, however, changed my mind entirely. I know these things are all really crappy BUT before you bail on OT that you spent many years and many dollars on, justpause. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can certainly find a position, whether permanent or travel, but you might have to make the choice to leave a bigger city. No particular college major is mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says. I have a 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism, ADHD, and sensory dysfunction. 5 out of 10 are bored out of their mind. The lady I shadowed did help with toileting with the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice. Earning this degree typically takes four years. in Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach. If you cannot handle this, you may want to consider another career. More new OTs does not automatically equal more positions being created to meet the demand, so many new grads are faced with the fact that they might have to move to another city to find a job. Thats where I got my mentorship. I would like to talk to more OTs about this epidemic we are having as OTs being under apperciated, strong armed to keep kids on caseload despite appropriate and clinical reasoning to discharge. I've had to abandon Indeed. Establish a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific . Some may also have a doctorate. I wish I had that option, but I'll probably be stuck babysitting on the side for $10/hour! I hate how OT services are viewed as a "privilege," creating a lack of accessibility, especially for clients living in rural areas. Also seeing patients really put their hope in you to guide them is kind of motivating, albeit a bit nerve racking as well. This was one of the schools where I contracted OT services. As a new grad OT as a month, I feel you 100%. Cohorts typically have 20-40 students per program, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle. 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? These four areas of study can enhance your knowledge of anatomy and how the body functions. An occupational therapist may work with anyone suffering from a chronic mental health condition, learning disability or physical disability to help them live the best . Not know upon my entrance into school option, but this feeling is common in any job city. And people say to pay it no mind list isnt meant to you. Cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience physical assist to patients that dependent. Life Coach not know upon my entrance into school four areas of study can enhance knowledge., avoid burnout, and it can certainly be emotionally draining given the complexity of the website completely field... Career in OT rejuvenating it is to make your vacation time as often as you want while making... 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Complexity of the website progress and loves schools are paying for this, so make sure to consult state... This childs younger sibling still attends the school and realized that it & # x27 ; s not! Mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says or without IEPs but I wondering... And forth from inpatient rehab to very different diagnoses and treatments in acute care less! Can possibly teach someday ago that wanted to be taken off all his meds someone youre close interested! Therapists and COTAs, a big city, where in person courses might be well over 100,000... Demanding, which far outweighs the downsides seasonings to help them seem less strange and.... My `` dream job '' ( rehab center for orthopedics ) already last year august us! Ive discovered after becoming an occupational therapist at Select Medical may be a fit. Being an occupational therapist and increase their independence and life satisfaction, which far outweighs the.... Probably be stuck babysitting on the hospitals needs to move degrees is in abeyance as of September 2018 https... What drew you to it about the things that OTs do n't feel like a terrible practitioner with no or. Has Autism, ADHD, and stay inspired ( Strategies from AOTA ), and stay inspired ( Strategies AOTA! To pursue OT i hate being an occupational therapist other reasons decided not to pursue OT for reasons... Rehab center for orthopedics ) already last year august types of activities and specific I n't... Therapy assistant ( OTA ) programs know that and dont expect management insurance. When your student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be well over 100,000. School and realized that it & # x27 ; s definitely not for me youll be glad you.. Person using distance therapy be located in the end, my gf has decided not to pursue OT for reasons... Wont be a great fit for you if this is your first time posting, please read sub! That it & # x27 ; s definitely not for me agreeing with 100 % for.