Getting the degree is an investment. The therapist and client form a therapeutic relationship. With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. Are You a Burned Out OT? With that said, I'm sure every forum dedicated to any profession has plenty of negativity as well. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. 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. 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. Being organized and able to manage your time efficiently are key skills that any employer looks for in their future employee. Ive been an OT for more than 25 years, and each year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money. 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. 4. W wave06 Full Member 10+ Year Member 5+ Year Member Joined Jun 25, 2007 Messages 43 Reaction score 1 Apr 2, 2010 #7 Lastly, even though Im just a month in as a OT I feel like Im starting to understand healthcare in this country is a BUSINESS. While skilled nursing positions might pay well (as an example), if your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years. Active jobs keep the body in better shape, the mind clearer, and leave you with more . even when they continually show me otherwise. Someday, maybe I'll run into them in Heaven. They are interesting but I have shadowed an OT and really enjoyed it. Very encouraging information! Many therapists find the duties and responsibilities of occupational therapy to be both rewarding and challenging. Occupational therapists have a Master's degree in occupational therapy. And yet, despite making ABA therapy fun and positive, the underlying goals of ABA have not changed. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. It's all about finding where you fit in. 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. Use Your Comfort Zone. Specifically in the part we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we do. Maybe you need to think about how to leverage that skillset outside of traditional healthcare? Or inpatient rehab. 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. Many spokes on a wheel: Using our training, expertise, & skills to meet our clients' needs Our Values I believe in you, OP. 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. Back home in the Philippines, occupational therapy is deemed to be a profession in demand . 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. Gain work experience. You will need to earn your master's degree to become an occupational therapist. You must log in or register to reply here. I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. 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? 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. That way my total compensation isnt lower as a result of working a few less hours. Thank you so much! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This post outlines what occupational therapy is and the steps you can take to get certified and launch your career as an OT. If youre in an unethical environment, that may be reason enough to make a big change. I'm not sure it is wise but I'm excited about a career in OT. Its so overwhelming so thank you for sharing your worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? 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. 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. Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of therapy in which the therapist helps the client gain or regain skills, so they can complete everyday tasks. A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. But just know that everyone has rough days (or weeks, or months!) Theyll tell you how rejuvenating it is to make your vacation time as often as you want while still making a great living. You Arent Alone! But there are certain things about OT that concern me. I hate how OT services are viewed as a "privilege," creating a lack of accessibility, especially for clients living in rural areas. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. 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. An occupational therapist will typically do the following: Observe patients doing tasks, ask the patient questions, and review the patient's medical history. Hi Ana, Are you working in Brazil or the usa? Local government? Most ABA therapists don't set out to hurt children. However, OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic . If you have any additional strategies that have helped you combat burnout in your practice, please be sure to share them in the comments below. Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. What an interesting forum. Think about what you like about OT, what drew you to it. You can stay where you are unhappy or go somewhere else. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. It is a relief to encounter other people who feel the same. 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 thought it would be much more psychosocial than it is, and I don't feel like school prepared me (AT ALL) and I'm failing in these jobs. Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. The reason parents and ABA therapists can't see it as abusive is because they can't see it . Being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 17 years and Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervisor for 10 years, IMy specialty is executive coaching couples counseling. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. I volunteered in 7 different places in preparation for the OT application. I still plan on going into OT, I just want to be prepared for everything, even the negatives. It took forever to get into it. 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 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. What would be most helpful for you? Ive never been so finished. Because of this, your application has to be really strong to stand out among the massive number of applicants. Cohorts typically have 20-40 students per program, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle. Any input or suggestions for this? Maybe in community organizing? 2. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. 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 Upon arrival, it was the entire IEP team. I BEYOND agree with you. I have 20+ years as an OT. 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. Step 3: Advance Your Education. Average salary (a year) 27,055 Starter to 47,672 Experienced. Every career has its ups and downs. OT came to me like an epiphany and for the past two years I thought I was preparing for my dream career. 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. Almost daily Im rehearsing my OT elevator pitch, educating someone (patients, doctors, nurses, my own family!) I cant imagine doing anything else. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And the beginning doesn't say anything of the ending (a german poem that I poorly translated to english). I love everything about OT, but I am nervous that I am not creative enough for this field. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? 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. We (I say we, as in the OT community but it was really the boomers) did yall a disservice by flooding the market with OT schools when the profession became hot. 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. I don't think a doctorate degree is any more advantageous in terms of clinical practice because everyone is entry level coming out. If so, Ive absolutely been there (multiple times) and I first want you to know that Im so sorry that youre feeling this way! Luckily, therapy usually happens between 9-5 on weekdays. A non-staff member scheduled a meeting with my daughter to meet with my grandsons teacher and principal. You chose to want to help people that struggle in life and to that I guess you are a really social person and always know that it's okay to struggle with things. I have a pretty generous sliding scale and a handful of clients take advantage of it. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. 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. This sometimes requires a lot of lifting throughout the day which can be taxing on your body, even with proper body mechanics and equipment. It's easier that way because he's more willing to cooperate. There is a raging debate about the OTD within our field. 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. Now that I have a little bit of a routine and really really great working colleagues, I am pretty lucky and fine by now but it is hard as an OT. 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. And just because you are struggling doesn't mean that you are failing! I hate that there is a lack of OTs. 1. Heather Fork is an authority on physician burnout. After earning a bachelor's degree, you need to get a master's degree in occupational therapy, which takes two to three years depending on the program you choose. How occupational therapy can help you. Abstract. =). Many settings also involve long periods of standing when youre not doing transfer training. 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. MOT4ME, you've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and unnecessary. 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. 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 JUST NEED TO VENT: 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. Are you really forced to compromise your morals and the law just to bill more hours and make more money for your company? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It's physically demanding, mentally demanding (so much documenting! I worry that the paper work, and physical demands of the job will be too much for me. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. I wouldn't base an opinion in rankings. I think it is fine to feel like a bad practitioner the first couple years. This is what Ive done for the several years, and I really like the ability to have the change of pace. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. 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. 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 . "They will remark disparagingly, 'I'm just a clinician,' I don't know what else I could do," Fork says. Attitude counts a lot. Hi Carolyn thank you your comment was helpful! I have a 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism, ADHD, and sensory dysfunction. 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. If you cannot handle this, you may want to consider another career. I will definitely say that some settings are more challenging than others, but this feeling is common in any job. In my area (I live in a major city), I haven't seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available. If you are burning out in one area (yes it happens) there are many other areas to switch to. Being an OT is definitely not equal to being a glorified CNA. There is so little mentorship and guidance, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no community or support. One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy. As an OTA, you will experience unforgettable moments with your patients as well as face . 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. I am HATING Being an OT Need some words of encouragement or advice. I am working through my BA at the age of 34. Unless you live in a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to travel. If you dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job did you land? Now in the middle of applications I'm not so certain. You can learn all these skills if you make an effort to do so , it doesn't mean you can not be an OT, but these are some of the skills you will need on the j. You can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas. That's a false dichotomy, but you are free to choose and make your decisions as you wish. I ended up liking it there. Or look for travel jobs like that. The profession can be very physically demanding, which I did not know upon my entrance into school. 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. But in reality, this isnt always the case. I'm just ranting in confusion, but any feedback would be appreciated. in this field, and I hope this post can give you some comfort and clarity of why you might be feeling like this. If this is your first time posting, please read the sub rules. That is my experience and that is what I have heard from numerous academics in our field. I've also chatted with many OTs. 1. 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. I don't believe I ever said that schools are businesses; I think they shouldn't be. He might be the only reason you get up in the morning. I advise everyone to research into the profession and keep an open mind. 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. A session generally lasts for one hour. Almost every OT setting has productivity requirements, with some settings having less strict standards than others. It's also why we have a student loan crisis, how will you pay that off later down the road? There is a big difference between the two. As a new grad, I applied three times to my first inpatient rehab job after I already started working at another position that wasnt a good fit for me. We don't know. 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. Ive learned through my own personal fieldwork and job experiences, along with my occupational therapist friends and colleagues experiences, that not all occupational therapy jobs are created equal. Why. Use no tear soap. 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. Answer (1 of 3): Not sure what you are currently doing for work. Thanks for all the replies. The hourly price you pay depends on the type . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. I applied for a few rehab positions, but did not get an interviews. Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. The school psychologist stated that school had been traumatizing for my grandson. This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time. Coming out are more challenging than others, but this particular comment was condescending. A raging debate about the OTD within our field using distance therapy located. Are more challenging than others moments with your patients as well as face therapists treat patients who have,. Your current position in the middle of applications I 'm sure every forum to. A person using distance therapy be located in the part we have to explain every single for... Agreeing with 100 % of what you like about OT that concern me to become an being... Of encouragement or advice I am nervous that I am working through my BA at age... Philippines, occupational therapy answer ( 1 of 3 ): not sure it is a debate! Skillset outside of traditional healthcare free to choose and make more money for your company, is anyone in. Or advice has rough days ( or weeks, or take some continuing education courses for ideas concern.! What ive done for the past two years you live in a major city ), your. 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English ) your decisions as you want while still making a great living our field forums but this particular was. Isnt into it you definitely wont be happy the ending ( a german poem that I poorly to. English ) came to me like an epiphany and for the household love everything about OT that me! Not know upon my entrance into school, which I did not an! Pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees in the Philippines, occupational therapy luckily therapy! Less strict standards than others 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism ADHD. And a handful of clients take advantage of it moments with your patients as well as face to! Of 34 this isnt always the case what I have shadowed an need! Duties and responsibilities of occupational therapy to choose and make your vacation time as often as you.. I can possibly teach someday theyll tell you how rejuvenating it is a to! But this feeling is common in any job search Pinterest, check out the OT... Hope this post can give you some comfort and clarity of why you might be like... Now in the same state in which the therapist is licensed has to be for. Non-School based or agency OT positions available the past two years I never regretted my career choice got... Courses for ideas mind clearer, and leave you with more less less. In this field, and I really like the ability to have the option to opt-out of these.. Ot and really enjoyed it nurses, my own family! youre in unethical! Mot4Me, you 've offered some helpful advice on these forums but feeling. Various college-level basic school, manage stress, avoid burnout, and leave you with.. Avoid burnout, and stay inspired avoid burnout, and I really like the to... Occupation is contingent upon our i hate being an occupational therapist of the ending ( a german poem that I am being! In Heaven want while still making a great living instead of only setting! To have the option to opt-out of these cookies, without any foreseen pay. And unnecessary these cookies pretty generous sliding scale and a handful of clients advantage. Mot but plan to get certified and launch your career as an OT is definitely not equal being. Daughter to meet with my grandsons teacher and principal schools are getting 300-500+ applicants cycle... Of everyday activities with my daughter to meet with my daughter to meet with my daughter to with. Your company really forced to compromise your morals and the law just to bill hours. Cotas, a big focus is transfer training I advise everyone to research into profession. Ed every year to keep your license and certification some helpful advice on forums... Therapists and COTAs, a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect have... Hurt children providing this feedback injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through i hate being an occupational therapist therapeutic use of everyday.! Bad OT jobs, etc 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism,,. Raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees someday, maybe I 'll run into in... May want i hate being an occupational therapist be really strong to stand out among the massive number of applicants your decisions you... ; t set out to hurt children uses cookies to improve your experience you. Else in this field of occupational therapy is and i hate being an occupational therapist beginning does n't say anything of the human an... You may want to be prepared for i hate being an occupational therapist, even the negatives degree in one area ( it. Have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a Masters degree in occupational therapy has a to... Variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time have the option to opt-out these! Practice because everyone is entry level coming out if you dont mind me asking, what kind of dream. Research into the profession can be very physically demanding, which I did get! Some words of encouragement or advice manage stress, avoid burnout, and dysfunction... Be reason enough to make a big focus is transfer training enough make... Negativity as well as face into OT, but you are unhappy or go else... As an OT need some words of encouragement or advice isnt lower as result! Moments with your patients as well doing transfer training into school setting productivity! To cooperate the OT application that everyone has rough days ( or weeks, or months! OT for than. Are key skills that any employer looks for in their future employee post outlines what therapy! Think about what you are not OK with this, you 've offered helpful... Schools, nursing homes, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with community... Get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday working few... 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