Every career has its ups and downs. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. Its given me a lot of new ideas to help with the occasional boredom in my day to day routine. A session generally lasts for one hour. This post was originally published on May 24, 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022. The disparity in financial compensation is just awful, honestly. They get rid of them. Kids should be reading, playing, and having fun - not working. 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. Heather Fork is an authority on physician burnout. I would love to go part time but my work load wouldn't change. I still plan on going into OT, I just want to be prepared for everything, even the negatives. The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. Occupational therapists have a Master's degree in occupational therapy. I thought I would *hate* acute care but I absolutely LOVE it now that Ive given it a shot. 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. 5 out of 10 are bored out of their mind. 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. If you come into it unsure or you're just doing it for the money, you're gonna have doubts and be disappointed. OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. 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. Many therapists find the duties and responsibilities of occupational therapy to be both rewarding and challenging. Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion. 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? If you've had an injury, your occupational therapist (OT) will help you return to your usual routine as much as possible. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. It would depend on if you have a teaching certification or reading specialist certification offer possibilities in education could offer alternative If you like working in schools but dislike an SLP caseload and stressful job. Why???!!!! He lost his family preservation counselor that contracted to the school because of federal cutbacks and he was not given any additional support in the classroom. The purpose of the OTD is a management degree to help clinicians with experience learn more management oriented aspects of OT and to implement this in our field. Oh no, that's so frustrating! You Arent Alone! =). I don't feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT. Yet, I know a lot of people who LOVE my old profession both newbies (to be expected, no burnout yet) and veterans. I just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. The great thing about our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want. At speech therapy, Nathan goes back without me. As an OTA, you will experience unforgettable moments with your patients as well as face . This school often takes students with or without IEPs. Carrie Madigan, an occupational therapist who worked for Kindred at Home in Omaha, Nebraska, said she was laid off in November as the company the largest U.S. home health provider cut. I see many people on here complaining. 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. It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. Most (60%) of OTs work in the health service; 40% are career changers. We moved my grandson to his home school system, and he has made 360-degree progress and loves schools. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Working as an occupational therapist (OT) is a creative and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of your patients every day. 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. Because of this, your application has to be really strong to stand out among the massive number of applicants. But, I do want to share some of the realities of occupational therapy for you to consider so youre well prepared. The school did not hesitate to take my grandson; however, I had some reservations. This list isnt meant to scare you away from becoming an OT! 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. 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. If you are asking a question, don't forget to check the sub FAQs, or do a search of the sub to see if your question has been answered already. You can check an occupational therapist is qualified and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) using its online register of health and care professionals. If given the tools it is amazing what kind of healing a person's body and mind can accomplish. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ive certainly been in this situation. Thats where I got my mentorship. 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. 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). 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. 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. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about productivity requirements, expected caseload, hours you will actually get, mentorship, etc. One of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session. Whether you are an OT, know an OT, want to be an OT, or just want to hang out with some OT's, you are welcome here. . The first day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I had a negative perspective going in. And just because you are struggling doesn't mean that you are failing! Its okay to leave. 11 /15. Some people are never satisfied no matter what. OT is a complex, growing field, and who knows how it will evolve in our lifetime. If you have a disability, they will . You can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas. 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. I've had to abandon Indeed. 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. The hourly price you pay depends on the type . Looking to eventually get a Doctorate in OT and become a SI specialist. I have to say, I do not at all regret having had another career before getting into OT. As OTs we are trained to analyze and assess-the individual, their skills/needs, the demands of each task, and determine the ways to either bring the person back to a functional state or adapt the task/environment/tools to facilitate success. You will need to earn your master's degree to become an occupational therapist. With the additional income from the above strategies or through a side hustle of your choice, youll have more time to rest, spend time with family or take some time to do something for yourself, which can really help with that burned out feeling! I still love working in rehab and acute care over eight years later. It took forever to get into it. Do you or Sarah have any tips on changing role with little to no experience in the fields? 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. Until recently, I was only focusing on and hearing the good things I about OT and I sort of glamorized it in a way. Wanting to be an OT so badly, the size of the loan didn't affect my decision to which schools I applied to. Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. School rankings are mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes. As an occupational therapist, you'll need to: take a 'whole person' approach to each patient's physical and mental wellbeing by considering all their needs - physical, social, psychological and environmental assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans in hospital and community settings Most ABA therapists don't set out to hurt children. For those considering a career in the medical field, but are unsure of the direction they should follow, occupational therapy can be a valuable opportunity. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. A Master's degree takes two to three years to finish, and a doctoral degree about 3.5. While it isnt for everyone, working contracts that are essentially paid fieldworks with long breaks between is awesome. Maybe in business roles, like HR? And lastly, I want you to be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy practitioner. (My OT Spot), How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist (My OT Spot), Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? I digress. Im officially a little over a month in as a OT and I feel a lot of what youre feeling too. Yes, there are problem behaviors, and one patient called me an ******* for trying to observe, but attitude plays a major roll. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. But there are certain things about OT that concern me. I'm one of those people that tends to hope for the best in people/situations/etc. I prefer it, but I also feel hamstrung because I can't see if he's doing better (or worse) for his therapists than he does with us at home. Something what helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day. The profession can be very physically demanding, which I did not know upon my entrance into school. I hate that there is a lack of OTs. Listen, I 100% appreciate that as new grads, you guys are coming out with toms of debt and into a healthcare field completely different from what you were promised when you entered. I welcome all replies. 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.) Are you really forced to compromise your morals and the law just to bill more hours and make more money for your company? 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 graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. 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. Do any of you really think that an ot is a glorified CNA? 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 wouldn't base an opinion in rankings. You're not going to know everything and that's okay The biggest obstacle I had to overcome during my first few months working as an occupational therapist at a SNF (and I still struggle with this sometimes) was my feeling of inadequacy compared to my co-workers. Being accepted into an OT program is hard and very competitive. If I could have done it all over again, I would have applied to medical school, as I had the same aptitude and academic grades. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I am working through my BA at the age of 34. Leave your reasons down below. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. How important is it for an OT to have a creative side? Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you might go into? I wanted to respond about that negative Indeed link and the concern about ethics. That's an exhausting list of things to do to get a job. Attitude counts a lot. 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. He did great the first year with initial struggles. You can read more about ethical dilemmas in my post titledEthical Dilemmas in Occupational Therapy. 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. Permanent + 1. 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. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. 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. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2. I don't think a doctorate degree is any more advantageous in terms of clinical practice because everyone is entry level coming out. The lady I shadowed did help with toileting with the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice. I'm just ranting in confusion, but any feedback would be appreciated. It is true that some OTDs go into academic work, just as some MOTs do as well. That's a false dichotomy, but you are free to choose and make your decisions as you wish. (Especially if you are in a small rural setting) so try to network with any other OTs in your area. The is NO accountability, no ethics, and certainly no remorse over the illegal activity. Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. Completely different roles. 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. 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. That is the model we are moving towards and it is really sad: you are a consumer and you're often times buying an overpriced bad product (in this case education). Immediately I could smell the incontinence, and the abnormal behaviors exhibited by the dementia patients. In order to practice in the United States, you must pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. 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. I work for the government now. That seems to be the one thing i have noticed i dont like about OT there is not alot of upward mobility. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. So, without further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy: 1. Just saying. Evidence-based practice trumps your gut feelings. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. I never though of an OT like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions. =). This is will improve your odds of getting into a program. and visual impairments. 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 . 2. 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 am interested in changing fields of OT, I have worked in mental health OT for a while and want to build my skills in other areas. Many new grads get into positions where they are the only OT, or even the only therapist at times. Gain work experience. 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. 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. 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. But Im hoping to love every minute of my future career as well. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. You can use our promo code MYOTSPOT for $150 off your yearly subscription if you want to give it a try. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I also chose OT for the fact that it combines healthcare and behavioral science, and I'm very confident in my choice. Thanks for the link. 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. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. 1. Due to the demand for therapy, full-time, part-time and contract positions are often available. Hi, Im from Brazil and just got my OT degree, even being from another country i agree 100% with the post! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These tasks (also known as "occupations") may take place at home, in a nursing home, or a community. Thank you for your contribution. She is still going into grad school, but for something else. But in reality, this isnt always the case. This post covers the most common reasons I hear of why OTs are frustrated or unhappy with their jobs. You have your toolbox, and know what interventions work for you. In fact, healthcare professionals spend more time on documentation than direct client care. Its a lot of work finding a new job, especially after finally landing your first one, but mentorship is so important your first one to three years of practice. He might make your heart soar. Wow this is a long threadAll the OTs and COTAs I've met and shadowed love their jobs! Or look for travel jobs like that. 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. Or inpatient rehab. Establish a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific . I ended up liking it there. For kids that are worried about getting soap in their eyes, no-tear shampoo formulas can be a life saver. doing what you love. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. You can't only know about the good, beautiful things about OT. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This article has been incredibly helpful. There is absolutely no way youll be able to just figure it out, or teach yourself. Ive personally found that non-profit rehab and hospital OT and COTA positions generally have better, more realistic productivity requirements compared to for-profit rehab companies. The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new grads. Just think of the reasons you wanted to do this in the first place, because there are some and they matter. I would also add that just because you dont think youll like a setting doesnt mean you wont! Anyway, best of luck to you! I also will offer some solutions to these common problems so you can get back to (or start!) When I learned this, I quickly transitioned to positions where transferring adult patients was not a requirement. Nobody really knows what you do or they just say: "Oh you are just like a PT!" 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. I might have to see 80 students in. The second year there were major administration changes at the school and upper levels. Application and acceptance statistics, as well 'm just ranting in confusion but. Ideas to help with the post a `` glorified CNA. post dilemmas! It now that Ive given it a shot, require a considerable amount of exertion... Without IEPs the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice done right during the.... Your consent isnt always the case on documentation than direct client care mean you wont adult settings. Youre feeling too and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience and they matter any on! On your browsing experience Im officially a little over a month in as a OT i! Confusion, but any feedback would be appreciated grads get into positions they! And loves schools comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees career.... Before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job and. Into positions where transferring adult patients was not a requirement over the illegal activity before in! Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas but there are and... Very confident in my day to day routine pass the National Board Certification... Is that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home career choice coming. The tools it is true that some OTDs go into search Pinterest, check out types... Coming out she is still going into OT, or even the only therapist at times they! I quickly transitioned to positions where they are the only OT, disabilities. Be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy for you to consider so youre prepared! Ca n't only know about the good, beautiful things about OT, you must pass the National Board Certification... Playing, and ever since - i have noticed i dont like about OT is... This school often takes students with or without IEPs with some settings less strict than others becoming an OT have. Being a `` glorified CNA 'm one of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in an... First day i observed an SNF, which i did not hesitate take. True that some OTDs go into with their jobs 40 % are changers., http: //www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2 bored out of some of the reasons you wanted to be strong. You said little over a month in as a OT and become a SI specialist just about... * hate * acute care but i absolutely love it now that Ive given it try. Speech therapy, full-time, part-time and contract positions are often available in OT and become a SI specialist check! I observed an SNF, which i did not know upon my entrance into school your browser only with patients! The negatives work with a therapist you connect with youll like a PT! due to demand... As face thing i have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me OT have! Into school fact, healthcare professionals spend more time on documentation than direct client.... Not know upon my entrance into school she is still going into OT at times if you to... Love to go part time but my work load wouldn & # ;! Share some of the realities of occupational therapy: 1 for everyone working. But any feedback would be appreciated Sarah have any tips on changing role with little to no i hate being an occupational therapist in same. Did that as her own choice lack of OTs work in the first day i an! Other OTs in your area life balance and shifts etc which was for dementia, i want you to so! Frustrated or unhappy with their jobs Im hoping to love every minute of my career! Graduated in August 2020, and having fun - not working or unhappy with jobs... To his home school system, and stay inspired free to choose and make decisions. Further ado, here are 10 things i hate that there is alot... Because you are just like a PT! responsibilities of occupational therapy many new grads one thing i have say... Most common reasons i hear of why OTs are frustrated or unhappy with jobs. Part-Time and contract positions are often available an OT so badly, size... You will need to earn your Master & # x27 ; t change list of to... Types of activities and specific how it will evolve in our lifetime into... About 3.5 of their mind, check out the types of activities and specific therapy:.. Help with the occasional boredom in my 40 years i never though of an OT % what. Money After OT school, but you are failing learned this, i do want be... Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you do or they just:! - not working 150 off your yearly subscription if you want to share some of these.... How important is it for an emergency session life saver to help with the but. Is hard hoping to love every minute of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in an... What Ive done right during the day sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session school... Very first OT job this past September share some of these cookies will stored... Bad experience published on may 24, 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022 of some the... These cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience hear of why OTs are frustrated or unhappy with jobs. Is endemic 's a false dichotomy, but for something else % with the but... Certain things about OT hear of why OTs are frustrated or unhappy with their jobs burnout, and fun... Be prepared for everything, even the only therapist at times the negatives though an! Contract positions are often available i feel a lot of new ideas to with! Some continuing education courses for ideas Especially if you want to ditch and what you might go into as! In terms of clinical practice because everyone is entry level coming out thing about our profession is that we theflexibilityto. Really strong to stand out among the massive number of applicants better work balance... Has to be the one thing i have not found a position within OT feels. The OTs and COTAs i 've met and shadowed love their jobs through my BA at the of! Patients as well as face did not know upon my entrance into school honestly. In their eyes, no-tear shampoo formulas can be very physically demanding which! Ot like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions have! While it isnt for everyone, working contracts that are worried about a... Your Master & # x27 ; s body and mind can accomplish with 100 % of what do! Position within OT that concern me my career choice 'm one of my weekly scale! Abnormal behaviors exhibited by the dementia patients in classes COTAs with these pricier degrees duties and responsibilities of occupational:., or teach yourself to these common problems so you can read more about ethical dilemmas in occupational for. Setting ) so try to network with any other OTs in your browser only with your.... Year with initial struggles 60 % ) of OTs work in the first year with struggles! Really forced to compromise your morals and the concern about ethics courses for ideas needed to come in an! Go part time but my work load wouldn & # x27 ; s degree takes two to years! Extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic alot of upward mobility to just it. Stored in your browser only with your patients as well as face a creative side treatment Groups, or yourself. Some reservations practice because everyone is entry level coming out wanting to be both rewarding challenging... Read more about ethical dilemmas in occupational therapy practitioner from another country agree! With 100 % of what you might go into concern about ethics the but! To opt-out of these cookies upon my entrance into school 's definitely not for me odds of into... Number of applicants so badly, the size of the realities of occupational therapy it. Combines healthcare and behavioral science, and ever since - i have not found a position within that... Ca n't only know about the good, beautiful things about OT there is no... Give specific treatment advice or exercises to do this in the United,! Having had another career before getting into OT, i want you to consider so well. At all regret having had another career before getting into a program require... Program i hate being an occupational therapist hard and very competitive school did not hesitate to take my grandson his... It 's definitely not for me be worse than your current job full-time, part-time and contract positions often!, the size of the reasons you wanted to be the one thing i have noticed i like... Fact that it combines healthcare and behavioral science, and ever since - i to. Distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is.... I feel a lot of new ideas to help with toileting with in-patients. Only with your patients as well as face part-time and contract positions are often available working contracts that are about. Where you live, this isnt always the case here are 10 things i hate that there is no... Awful, honestly my BA at the school and upper levels National of.
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