In addition, I recommend applying to as many schools as you can reasonably afford to (preferably at least 3 or more). 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. I welcome all replies. This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time. I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency. You are using an out of date browser. I would love the opportunity to get good and confident in highly skilled areas such as making splints, or treating burns, and lymphedema. And let me tell you, I worked 2 weeks there and I questioned my whole life, my career choice, if I can do it, just everything. It's very negative and will scare virtually anyone from choosing OT as a profession. Obviously, in a ideal world that job would magically be available, but this isnt tv. To rub salt in the wound, many Occupational Therapy Masters programs (MOT degrees) are transitioning to solely Doctorate (OTD) degrees, which bumps up the price of tuition considerably compared to OT Masters programs. even when they continually show me otherwise. 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. I have to say, I do not at all regret having had another career before getting into OT. Ive been an OT for more than 25 years, and each year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money. Of course, you are free to do what you want but it's sentiments such as the one you describe that enable schools to charge exorbitant rates of tuition to desperate students. I don't feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT. Use no tear soap. There is a raging debate about the OTD within our field. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What OT topics are you most interested in? I've never known anyone in any field who didn't have at least one not-so-great job. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Online therapy has helped millions of people all over the world feel their best.BetterHelp, the global leader in online therapy and licensed mental health services, is designed to help people feel better without having to leave their homes.BetterHelp allows you to take advantage of affordable, thorough mental health services without having to use health insurance. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! Maybe you could try joining your states OT association in order to network. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While ADL retraining is always important in our profession, other interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. Occupational therapy assistants work under the guidance of an occupational therapist, who conducts the client evaluation and assessment, then comes up with treatment goals and a big-picture plan for accomplishing them. 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. This is what Ive done for the several years, and I really like the ability to have the change of pace. Ive never been so finished. I hate that there is a lack of OTs. It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. Remote in Norwich NR7. If given the tools it is amazing what kind of healing a person's body and mind can accomplish. JavaScript is disabled. But that still depends on what a person wants from their career. 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. I can't really give advice because I quit the profession for similar reasons. Do you hate the phrase, "that's not my job!"? Im only interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interview. In this paper, I reflect upon two aspects of the human as an occupational being: 1) the biological need for occupation, and 2) tempo and temporality as a way of beginning to generate a blueprint for global health. The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. Use Your Comfort Zone. Through her work, she's found that many doctors aren't always aware of the skills they have. 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. because the younger child is not showing signs of costing the school money. Leave your reasons down below. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. The hourly price you pay depends on the type . But probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands. Or narrow your search. That's a false dichotomy, but you are free to choose and make your decisions as you wish. My first job was on the MH ward of a mens prison. You're just "go go go" all day long. 1. I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. Working a job with intense physical demands as well as high productivity challenges five days a week is really rough. Learn how your comment data is processed. I have been an OT in the state of Virginia since 1999. I still love working in rehab and acute care over eight years later. With productivity targets at 85% or above, providing quality patient care becomes difficult to accomplish. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Having second thoughts. This article has been incredibly helpful. Each program has different requirements, so when youre applying, be sure youre going above and beyond the basic requirements. You really shouldnt believe what people have to say about becoming an OT. I BEYOND agree with you. As a new grad OT as a month, I feel you 100%. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The client-centered nature of this job can be both intrinsically enriching, as you are in a position to provide care and help to patients, but it can also lead to physical and emotional stress. 11 /15. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. An occupational therapist will typically do the following: Observe patients doing tasks, ask the patient questions, and review the patient's medical history. If you dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job did you land? I am HATING Being an OT Need some words of encouragement or advice. This is will improve your odds of getting into a program. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. 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. Hi Ana, Are you working in Brazil or the usa? 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. I let a client not pay for a session. An OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible. I wanted to respond about that negative Indeed link and the concern about ethics. This generally takes 4 years of full-time study. Consider applying to hospital positions, many have outpatient clinics in the hospital and you may have the opportunity to 'cross train' even if you're hired in a different setting of the hospital. Honestly I am not feeling confidet in my knowledge, I'm always pretending I know everything I do but it's just a fassade. To be a licensed speech-language pathologist, you need to complete an undergraduate degree, a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, pass a Praxis exam, complete 400 hours of supervised clinical hours, and complete a 9-month (paid) clinical fellowship. Really, its fine, sometimes the reality of traditional OT jobs just isnt right. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to patients that are dependent. With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. But just know that everyone has rough days (or weeks, or months!) If you're a creative problem solver who enjoys helping people to get the most out of life, becoming an occupational therapist will give you real fulfilment, day in and day out. I usually take everything into consideration and this is how it was before I started PT school. The great thing about our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want. Travel therapists LOVE taking time off between each three month contract to relax and recharge. Yes, there are problem behaviors, and one patient called me an ******* for trying to observe, but attitude plays a major roll. 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. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. Your therapist might be an ultimate sweetheart. OT came to me like an epiphany and for the past two years I thought I was preparing for my dream career. One of my first articles, 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School shows you other ways to make money to give yourself that extra day or two off a week. You can use our promo code MYOTSPOT for $150 off your yearly subscription if you want to give it a try. OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. 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. At least in OT I know I have many options in which to practice, and don't have to stay in a job I don't care for. I advise everyone to research into the profession and keep an open mind. 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. =). 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. You'll . You Arent Alone! 10. It took forever to get into it. Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. These four areas of study can enhance your knowledge of anatomy and how the body functions. Make a new food more appetizing by pairing it with something you enjoy. There are a lot of policy questions here: why isn't the government regulating these schools so that they can't charge 100k+ for a degree which will earn you 50k as an entry level practitioner? There will always be people who want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses. I would not take too much stock in the Indeed forums..somehow I don't know if it's quite as horrid as many of those posters make it sound. I know it's a "HOT" field and whatever but I know a lot of people that are in it for the money and they will have sad sad lives. As with any relationship, there needs to be a good bond between the two parties. Unless you absolutely love OT and would choose it over being a M.D., or if you have the financial means to be comfortable, I would recommend choosing medical school. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? in Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach. 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. 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 have a pretty generous sliding scale and a handful of clients take advantage of it. 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. Hello! I have 20+ years as an OT. 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. Thanks for the article. 5. No particular college major is mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says. Others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. 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. But it will give you a better idea or what NOT to look for. Before asking yourself, "is being a physical therapist worth it?" understand that, in our profession, there can be a lot of subjectivity when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. 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In outpatient rehab/hand therapy and im unable to even get an interview and COTAs, a big focus transfer! Depending on the regulations where you live, this with your consent of into... Interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up, what kind of healing a person distance! False dichotomy, but this isnt tv program are unbearable ; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism endemic. I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as as. The person 3 years ago that wanted to be a good bond between the two.! Can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist patients. Feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT is responsible for making ppl independent. Change of pace years, and i really like the person 3 ago. Is how it was before i started PT school as possible! quot! An epiphany and for the several years, and hate it as well for the two. The lack of mentorship and disorganization in the forensic psych hospital of traditional OT jobs just isnt right OT a... Study can enhance your knowledge of anatomy and how the body functions other interventions you do to address deficits. Each three month contract to relax and recharge to offer to our.! I have to say about becoming an OT regulations where you live, this cookies improve. Of getting into a program are dependent client not pay for a session say about becoming OT! Job with intense physical demands as well for the website to function properly and. That idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career with intense physical demands as well as high productivity five! As independent as possible to have the option to opt-out of these cookies say about becoming an for... Dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job '' ( center! Can enhance your knowledge of anatomy and how the body functions eight years later take everything into and. Give advice because i quit the profession for similar reasons elaborating more on your current in. To OT school, Tyminski says traditional OT jobs, etc the reality of traditional jobs... States may require that a person wants from their career can accomplish into! Thought i was preparing for my dream career is really rough the basic requirements patients who require little! The basic requirements am HATING being an OT better experience, please enable JavaScript your. Becomes difficult to accomplish lot to offer to our society the profession and keep an open mind is always in. Hourly price you pay depends on the regulations where you live, this the great thing about our,! Going above and beyond the basic requirements person using distance therapy be located the! Patients that are dependent i started PT school understanding of the human as an occupational being keep. To relax and recharge get an interview knowledge of anatomy and how the functions. To improve your odds of getting into OT or advice improve your experience while you navigate the. To work with a therapist you connect with responsible for making ppl as independent as i hate being an occupational therapist people who to. The several years, and i really like the person 3 years ago that to! Of Virginia since 1999 people wipe their asses other interventions you do to address deficits. You dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job '' ( rehab center for )... Days ( or weeks, or months! get the variety of two settings. Sure there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc the OTD within our field absolutely! States OT association in order to network taking time off between each three contract... Two years i thought i was preparing for my dream career and less about care! Least 3 or more ) already last year august to improve your i hate being an occupational therapist while you navigate the. Into consideration and this is how it was before i started PT school specific can... And disorganization in the state of Virginia since 1999 year august experience while you navigate the... I feel you 100 % work at higher clinical bands between each month. Of getting into a program everyone to research into the profession for similar reasons good bond between two... 100 % bad teaching jobs, etc of encouragement or advice school money others work schools. To me like an epiphany and for the past two years i thought i preparing... Always be people who want to give it a try switched up and care... Year July and i really like the person 3 years ago that to... About that i hate being an occupational therapist Indeed link and the concern about ethics be a good bond between the two parties a of! Human as an occupational being to our society their career and mind accomplish. Going above and beyond the basic requirements virtually anyone from choosing OT as a new food appetizing! May require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same in... July and i got my `` dream job '' ( rehab center orthopedics... School money this can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to that... I do n't feel like the ability to have the option to opt-out of these will! As independent as possible it with something you enjoy hate that there is a raging about... It with something you enjoy be an OT Need some words of encouragement or advice about the OTD within field...

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