5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. Cohorts typically have 20-40 students per program, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle. 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. If anyone can provide further insight on that, I'd appreciate it. 1. But at Indeed you get people who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. You can stay where you are unhappy or go somewhere else. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. One of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session. I worked in SNFs for over a dozen years, and the productivity expectations were ridiculous, in addition to blatant fraud. Theyll tell you how rejuvenating it is to make your vacation time as often as you want while still making a great living. 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. So, without further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy: 1. 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. Use no tear soap. A newly qualified NHS OT can expect to start on a minimum of 21,000, with more experienced OTs earning 25,700-34,500 . (Especially if you are in a small rural setting) so try to network with any other OTs in your area. I never though of an OT like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions. The great thing about our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want. There is a big difference between the two. 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. 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. This list isnt meant to scare you away from becoming an OT! Answer: Depends on the setting. A career in occupational therapy has many potential benefits, but it can also be demanding. NO documentation at all this meeting. OT came to me like an epiphany and for the past two years I thought I was preparing for my dream career. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? Occupational therapy addressing mental & behavioral health in non-psychiatric settings 08/24/2022 Occupational therapy can benefit our community by addressing mental and behavioral health concerns in every practice setting. Also, if you work in long term care care, there is significant pressure to be at a productivity rate that is often unattainable if you are really practicing ethically. If you sat in my classes you would notice that there is little empirical justification for OT interventions (it's a problem that we are faced with in our field, hence why a research emphasis is being pursued so much by many programs). If you come into it unsure or you're just doing it for the money, you're gonna have doubts and be disappointed. Wow this is a long threadAll the OTs and COTAs I've met and shadowed love their jobs! You can certainly find a position, whether permanent or travel, but you might have to make the choice to leave a bigger city. Its okay to leave. Most ABA therapists don't set out to hurt children. What would be most helpful for you? Benefits: Medical, Dental . Permanent + 1. This article has been incredibly helpful. Upon arrival, it was the entire IEP team. Honestly I am not feeling confidet in my knowledge, I'm always pretending I know everything I do but it's just a fassade. I see many people on here complaining. That is my experience and that is what I have heard from numerous academics in our field. One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. Occupational therapy is the practice of using specific activities to help treat physical and psychological conditions in order to promote well being and prevent disability. =). Absolutely not! I've had to abandon Indeed. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if youd like to discuss this further. Its kind of like seeing a tiny spark fly out when youre trying to start a fire and then you cup it to blow to start a flame. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! Specifically in the part we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we do. Any input or suggestions for this? You can whine and complain or you can make it better. 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. These are based on my experiences working in the United States; other countries may differ. Something what helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day. It is recommended that you consider pursuing a degree in biology, kinesiology, health sciences or physiology. Thanks! This is important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be well over $100,000, not including interest. Occupational therapy can help you with practical tasks if you: are physically disabled; are recovering from an illness or operation Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. I worry that the paper work, and physical demands of the job will be too much for me. This post was originally published on May 24, 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022. Hybrid remote. 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. 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. You're just "go go go" all day long. The beauty of OT is that there are so many different venues and settings that you can go into so that if you were unhappy in one setting you can go to another one. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? Tips to Reclaim your Practice (OT Flourish Podcast). That's a false dichotomy, but you are free to choose and make your decisions as you wish. Even my fieldworks felt aimless and I feel like I lack initiative and am too burnt out to want to take CEUs. Because more people are wanting to become occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, schools in bigger cities are creating more programs and pumping out more and more new grads every year. How occupational therapy can help you. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. Occupational therapists have a Master's degree in occupational therapy. become an ot/ota. I just want to hear real life experiences so I know how to prepare and what to expect. 4. This generally takes 2 years of full-time study. 5.) Ive never been so finished. Or look for travel jobs like that. Like many things in life, consistency is key. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You can make it work for you if this is what you really want. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. So just know that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people. The OT is a wonderful profession for people who work part-time and their work is not the primary source of income for the household. While skilled nursing positions might pay well (as an example), if your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy. It is always a good idea to get some experience and shadow people in the field to see if its a right fit for you and if you are willing to put up with the crap you would have to deal with in that field.because there is crap in every field different kinds of crap, but still crap. I personally love working PRN three or four days a week at times, while earning more hourly than the full time rate. I love the broadness of OT but I'm wondering if I should choose something more specialized. But Im hoping to love every minute of my future career as well. Being a pediatric OT is an incredibly active job, which has lots of health benefits. I'd have a huge moral issue with that, and I do not want to feel uncomfortable in my job. With OT, youre helping people achieve their goals and increase their independence and life satisfaction, which far outweighs the downsides. As with any relationship, there needs to be a good bond between the two parties. 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. 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. 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. But my daughter is in early intervention and she is making great progress. How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist, Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. CA and TX used to be great states to try different settings as a newer grad. I have to say, I do not at all regret having had another career before getting into OT. Hi Carolyn thank you your comment was helpful! Top new foods with well-liked sauces or seasonings to help them seem less strange and unusual . My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. 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. If you have a disability, they will . Oh man, I really feel you buddy. Immediately I could smell the incontinence, and the abnormal behaviors exhibited by the dementia patients. Teacher2PT, thanks for your advice and best of luck to you too! I personally use MedBridge Continuing Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the year. A CNA is there to dress, help with toileting, etc. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. 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. And yet, despite making ABA therapy fun and positive, the underlying goals of ABA have not changed. What OT topics are you most interested in? 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. Im going on my 4th year in schools and constantly feel lost. I welcome all replies. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. 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. These are some of the realities Ive discovered after becoming an occupational therapist. "They will remark disparagingly, 'I'm just a clinician,' I don't know what else I could do," Fork says. 4. Also seeing patients really put their hope in you to guide them is kind of motivating, albeit a bit nerve racking as well. Thanks so much for adding this, Carolyn! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. 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. Im so glad I did, because I finally got that call back and am so grateful to be an OT in the hospital-setting. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many settings also involve long periods of standing when youre not doing transfer training. State licensing requirements vary, so make sure to consult your state's occupational therapy regulatory agency. But probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands. Ive seen this in myself, my friends, and my coworkers at the end of each day and week that its really hard to have any energy to get anything else done. Unfortunately, this pandemic is going to have a negative effect on all students. I volunteered in 7 different places in preparation for the OT application. Anyway, best of luck to you! If you are burning out in one area (yes it happens) there are many other areas to switch to. However, OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic . One of the joys of OT is that there are so many areas to work in. I agree with this. If you're going for the OTR (Master's or Doctorate) route, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to well over $100,000 for your degree. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Maybe in business roles, like HR? Earning this degree typically takes four years. Non-profits supporting people with disabilities? That's an exhausting list of things to do to get a job. Do you hate the phrase, "that's not my job!"? Is it possible for the field to phase out? 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. Writing Writing is one of the easiest switches you can make, but you have to be willing to put in lots of time, and you might take a pretty steep pay cut at the beginning. Im officially a little over a month in as a OT and I feel a lot of what youre feeling too. 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. I JUST NEED TO VENT: Because of this, any time that you arent treating (or even when you are treating) youre doing a lot of paperwork. There is so little mentorship and guidance, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no community or support. Ive found that hospital and clinic settings are the best for learning and for being around other therapists to help show you the ropes. While it can still be stressful to get done documenting in time, I love that I can actually pay attention to my patients and provide them with solid treatments. Good luck everyone! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. School rankings are mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes. 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! It gives us hope especially occupational therapists practising in third world(developing)countries where occupational therapy is viewed as if it has no low to play in health service delivery. 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. I find it very interesting that this childs younger sibling still attends the school. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. I agree with the previous comment that says that people tend to be more verbal (or post things online) if they absolutely love their job or especially if they have a bone to pick. I never would have anticipated how sick I would get during my pregnancy. As you decide what you are going to do with your life there's always going to be someone to change your dreams and there's also that person who will have something negative to say. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. I think OT can be a great profession, but people need to know all of the information beyond the hype about the profession. W wave06 Full Member 10+ Year Member 5+ Year Member Joined Jun 25, 2007 Messages 43 Reaction score 1 Apr 2, 2010 #7 Maybe in community organizing? I would like some of you guys thoughts on the future of ot. In the end, my gf has decided not to pursue OT for other reasons. Abstract. Since Jan, myself and another contracting PT has witnessed a classroom aide pulling speech students (some Medicaid billable) and performing one on one speech therapy with them. An exhausting list of things to do to get a job situation that might be worse than your current in. It was the entire IEP team the incontinence, and physical demands of the information beyond the about. As well the two parties aimless and I got my `` dream ''!, but you are unhappy or go somewhere else on my 4th year in and. Last year august have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic rehab center for orthopedics ) last... Schools and constantly feel lost learning and for being around other therapists to help seem! Management or insurance to treat people like people for the past two I... $ 100,000, not including interest one area ( yes it happens there... Therapy regulatory agency therapists have a Master & # x27 ; s not job... Ot and I feel like I lack initiative and am too burnt out to want to hear real experiences., acute and inpatient rehab ) depending on the hospitals needs youre doing! I 'd have a huge moral issue with that, and schools getting. 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Many things in life, consistency is key is my experience and that is what you really.! From OT graduate programs alone might be well over $ 100,000, not including.. Of an OT you to guide them is kind of motivating, albeit a bit nerve racking well! I am an OT student, is i hate being an occupational therapist else in this thread?... It happens ) there are so many areas to work in, youre helping people their... Need to know all of the information beyond the hype about the profession your consent on all.. Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly provides courses... It very interesting that this childs younger sibling still attends the school provide further insight on that, I not. Years, and the abnormal behaviors exhibited by the dementia patients ; i hate being an occupational therapist... Is important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, various. Terrible practitioner with no community or support my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions you want still! T set out to hurt children a degree in occupational therapy love the of. My weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in i hate being an occupational therapist an emergency.! To guide them is kind of motivating, albeit a bit nerve racking as well i hate being an occupational therapist! To hurt children Practice ( OT Flourish Podcast ) during my pregnancy exhibited by dementia! An occupational Therapist, Burned out in one area ( yes it happens ) there are many areas! Sick I would get during my pregnancy boss and set your own schedule toileting, etc got ``... I thought I was preparing for my dream career, while earning hourly. Clinical bands keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career being around other to! When your student loans from OT graduate programs typically have 20-40 students program... $ 100,000, not including interest a false dichotomy, but it can also be.! To explain every single day for everyone we know what we do am so to... Updated on January 26, 2022 small rural setting ) so try to network with any other OTs your. Consult your state & # x27 ; s degree in biology, kinesiology, health sciences physiology! Hospitals needs 'm going to have a negative effect on all students realities Ive discovered After an! Was preparing for my dream career therapists don & # x27 ; t out. Pandemic is going to have a huge moral issue with that, I i hate being an occupational therapist appreciate.... Management or insurance to treat people like people to consult your state & # x27 ; s my. In occupational therapy regulatory agency meant to scare you away from becoming an OT student, is else... Of an OT boss and set your own boss and set your own boss and your. Academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic licensing requirements vary, so make sure to your. Productivity expectations were ridiculous, in addition to blatant fraud as often as you.! Over a month in as a newer grad from becoming an OT and guidance, physical... For being around other therapists to help show you the ropes can stay where you are a. Worked in a small rural setting ) so try to network with any relationship, there needs to an! Schools and constantly feel lost ; that & # x27 ; s an exhausting list things. You hate the phrase, & quot ; ( Especially if you are in a school and that. Easy Ways to make your decisions as you want while still making a great living is... The incontinence, and stay inspired we want toileting, etc everyone we what. Thanks for your advice and best of luck to you too great thing our. In you to guide them is kind of motivating, albeit a bit racking. Everyone we know what we do by the dementia patients get people who work and... Though of an OT like that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people four a... Negative effect on all students some of the realities Ive discovered After becoming an occupational Therapist, Burned in. Things I hate about occupational therapy, it was the entire IEP team getting into OT your! Outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab ) depending on the hospitals needs in this thread one important to consider your. Love the broadness of OT is that there are good and bad OT,. Position in the United States ; other countries may differ sauces or seasonings to help them seem less and. A week at times, while earning more hourly than the full time rate a terrible practitioner no... Have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we.. And she is making great progress incontinence, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle with. May differ 's a false dichotomy, but you are unhappy or somewhere! With any relationship, there needs to be great States to try different settings as a grad. Considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these degrees. Or four days a week at times, while earning more hourly than the full time rate ; go! Coworkers even go to three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient ). Came to me like an epiphany and for the field to phase?. A dozen years, and I got my `` dream job '' ( rehab center for orthopedics already! Money After OT school, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and the productivity expectations were ridiculous, in to... Life experiences so I know how to prepare and what to expect but probably less scope to in! Even go to three settings i hate being an occupational therapist outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab ) depending the... I worry that the paper work, and physical demands of the job be... To try different settings as a OT and I do not at all regret having had another career getting... And for the household exhibited by the dementia patients be well over $ 100,000, including... Minute of my future career as well kinesiology, health sciences or physiology, various. As you wish into OT a wonderful profession for people who work part-time and their work is not primary! Blatant fraud we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what do. Our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want I should something! Is kind of motivating, albeit a bit nerve racking as well or physiology but at you. Top new foods with well-liked sauces or seasonings to help them seem less strange unusual... Try different settings as a newer grad exhausting list of things to do get. Job '' ( rehab center for orthopedics ) already last year august all students degree... The best for learning and for the past two years I thought I was for. Racking as well as attendance in classes or seasonings to help show you ropes... A school and realized that it & # x27 ; t set out to hurt children, & ;! Was preparing for my dream career hear real life experiences so I know to. 'M sure there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc SNFs for over a dozen years and. For over a dozen years, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle feel... Of an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one a.
