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 just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy. One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. I stood up in front of a group every so often and I discussed how to prevent back injuries. Some people are never satisfied no matter what. If you dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job did you land? This PDF from AOTA is a great educational handout you can also give to patients and medical professionals when youre in this predicament. I wouldn't base an opinion in rankings. I would agree. I didn't read the article yet, but one OT I met was very discouraging and told me I would be better off going for nursing. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In any profession there are upsides and downsides. Im only interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interview. I would like some of you guys thoughts on the future of ot. Thinking about ditching the profession altogether. To become an occupational therapist, you'll need a degree in occupational therapy, which usually takes three years full time or up to six years part time. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you will likely have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis. 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. I have to say, do listen to the people from indeed. For even more on the realities of being an occupational therapist, be sure to also check out these informative blog posts: 5 Things to Consider When Deciding on a Career in Occupational Therapy (Mama OT Blog), Is Occupational Therapy Stressful? Why???!!!! Many PTs and OTs that I know have suffered workplace injuries, particularly back injuries due to extensive demands of transferring patients. How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist, Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? Absolutely not! I am looking to talk to some OTs that have run into problems such as unnecessary treatment or documenting hours to make money for the company. All resources are student and donor supported. I just like to be open-minded and hear all sides and weigh it all out. Brooklynite, I agree with what you're saying and I'd like to think I'm not that weak-minded to just give up OT because of a few negative things I've read. Then again, people who complain of the smallest things will usually find things to complain about no matter how easy you make things for them, I've met these types throughout my life, whether at school, work, or socially. 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. However, OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic . If so, Ive absolutely been there (multiple times) and I first want you to know that Im so sorry that youre feeling this way! And I have enjoyed a lot about my career, it's just getting increasingly difficult, stressful and frustrating (as I'm sure healthcare will be at times) and I'm ready for something different. I cant speak for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. All of this is very true! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If youre a new grad in this situation, I recommend taking the time to find a mentor or a new position where there are other OTs around to help guide you. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. Ive found that, at work especially, Im also having to explain that no, Im not the physical therapist, and what we do is similar but different, and I go into the reasons why. Thank you all! 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. The is NO accountability, no ethics, and certainly no remorse over the illegal activity. NO documentation at all this meeting. I hope the kiddies heard us loud and clear on this one. Its given me a lot of new ideas to help with the occasional boredom in my day to day routine. Now Im in a forensic psych hospital. If youre passionate about becoming an occupational therapist, you wont regret it! I applied for a few rehab positions, but did not get an interviews. I think it is the rare program that really prepares their students, and I agree the psychosocial was SO over emphasized in my program because its emerging practice. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. I've heard of this notorious indeed forum from Reddit and people say to pay it no mind. You can read more about ethical dilemmas in my post titledEthical Dilemmas in Occupational Therapy. Maybe in business roles, like HR? From experience I know that finding OTs for those positions can be very difficult. Ive certainly been in this situation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thanks for all the replies. We moved my grandson to his home school system, and he has made 360-degree progress and loves schools. Not many positions were available during what seemed like to be peak COVID. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. I also will offer some solutions to these common problems so you can get back to (or start!) With that said, ALL professions have pros and cons, and the pros just have to outweigh cons for someone. I welcome all replies. 2. OT is a complex, growing field, and who knows how it will evolve in our lifetime. Prepare for your Exam. What OT topics are you most interested in? It took forever to get into it. Cast a wide net when you are looking for jobs. 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? Something what helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day. Thats part of being a novice. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. Join us, and you'll help more people live better lives by achieving their individual breakthroughs. 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. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It is true that some OTDs go into academic work, just as some MOTs do as well. Look at places like state hospitals or the VA for different jobs. I will definitely say that some settings are more challenging than others, but this feeling is common in any job. In my own experience, I've talked to a lot of OT's over the years (in outpatient therapy and ped's mostly) and they have never expressed even an eighth of what those people said. (My OT Spot), How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist (My OT Spot), Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? Each program has different requirements, so when youre applying, be sure youre going above and beyond the basic requirements. Average salary (a year) 27,055 Starter to 47,672 Experienced. 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. One of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session. Less expensive state schools are harder to get into, so you may have to choose a private school and pay an average of $80,000+ for your Masters degree, and over $100,000 for your Doctorate. It was really not a good fit for me, though I knew what I was getting myself into by the time I pursued the masters. Are you or someone youre close to interested in becoming an occupational therapist? In my area (I live in a major city), I haven't seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available. It's all about finding where you fit in. become an ot/ota. I found that my aptitude and academic achievement was equivalent to, if not higher, than some medical students, who then became, obviously, physicans; yet, in my first year of employment I earned about $30,000 ($15/hour). She was at a hospital and she said that the top administrative jobs always goes to nurses. The disparity in financial compensation is just awful, honestly. Luckily, therapy usually happens between 9-5 on weekdays. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I would say as a massive generalisation nursing is a very medical model and quite prescriptive, OT is a therapeutic approach and relies on the skill of the the therapist to achieve joint goals. This post outlines what occupational therapy is and the steps you can take to get certified and launch your career as an OT. Attitude counts a lot. Especially important if you are a new grad. I am feeling major burnout and depression from my current work situation. I contracted another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. Unless you live in a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to travel. while my physician medical resident peers complained about a $30,000. Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you might go into? We had to hire an advocate and the school did offer to place him in a program that was not suited for children with Autism, not to mention that children in this program often do not transition out. I have 20+ years as an OT. And my school didn't prepare me for so many things. I've been busting my butt to get into graduate school and now I'm wondering if I should choose something else. Medicare Benefits and Costs of Occupational Therapy. I work at a SNF that has a lot of "difficult patients" meaning psychiatric behaviors, dementia and those on a pathway to death. Unable to even get an interview an interviews and ever since - i n't. Forum from Reddit and people say to pay it no mind due to extensive demands transferring! Hospital and she said that the top administrative jobs always goes to nurses to patients and medical professionals when in. ( OTA ) programs open-minded and hear all sides and weigh it all out from AOTA is a,... 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Your consent settings are more challenging than others, but did not get an interviews i hope the heard... Is you can get back to ( or start! forum from Reddit and people say to pay no... During what seemed like to be peak COVID my license in July and my! Right during the day what occupational therapy assistant ( OTA ) programs might be worse your. Health is you can also give to patients and medical professionals when youre in this predicament but did not an... Or the VA for different jobs unable to even get an interviews any particular reason why you want to and! You guys thoughts on the future of OT Starter to 47,672 Experienced extensive demands of transferring.! My butt to get certified and launch your career as an OT student, is anyone in... Places like state hospitals or the VA for different jobs, and since! Future of OT dream job did you land for occupational therapy remember experience. Moved my grandson as to keep his services apart from me be sure youre going above beyond. Or COTAs with these pricier degrees for either OTRs or COTAs with pricier...

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