Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. This is important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be well over $100,000, not including interest. Audio. It seems many new grads jump into the first job they can get, since it can be really hard to get your first job. Personally, I would not had any issue going into an OTD program because I'm interested in academia. Thanks! Add in Thats where I got my mentorship. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. The speech therapist stated that he could have the single child syndrome like she had, and the special ed director told my daughter that if his behaviors did not improve, that her son would not be allowed to come back to school per the superintendent. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." JavaScript is disabled. This happens to every profession that shows up on list as a top profession to major in. 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. Almost every OT setting has productivity requirements, with some settings having less strict standards than others. 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. I personally love working PRN three or four days a week at times, while earning more hourly than the full time rate. I'm starting school in the fall and I'm confident that this is what I was meant to do. 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. My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. Do you hate the phrase, "that's not my job!"? Travel therapists LOVE taking time off between each three month contract to relax and recharge. I will definitely say that some settings are more challenging than others, but this feeling is common in any job. Cast a wide net when you are looking for jobs. Thanks so much for adding this, Carolyn! But there are certain things about OT that concern me. 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 think any profession will have people who are sick of it and burnt out. 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. Thats part of being a novice. Work Environment About half of occupational therapists work in offices of occupational therapy or in hospitals. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. Not Being Able to Watch. But how to get the training when you're expected to know from the start and the productivity demands don't allow for that kind of time? 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. Our results indicated that the average salary among the participants was actually $70,732. 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. This list isnt meant to scare you away from becoming an OT! If given the tools it is amazing what kind of healing a person's body and mind can accomplish. This was one of the schools where I contracted OT services. NO documentation at all this meeting. That seems to be the one thing i have noticed i dont like about OT there is not alot of upward mobility. 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. Many settings also involve long periods of standing when youre not doing transfer training. I found this to be the case when I graduated, and ended up in a setting I wasnt crazy about. And yet, despite making ABA therapy fun and positive, the underlying goals of ABA have not changed. 10. The great thing about our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want. Maybe in community organizing? Another thing I really admired about this article, was the reference to physical demands. So, without further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy: 1. I believe in you, OP. Thanks for the link. Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you might go into? In this video, I will be discussing what I hate about occupational therapy. Yikes. 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. I have a 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism, ADHD, and sensory dysfunction. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. Thanks for all the replies. Needless to say, working in a setting like this is sure to cause you major burnout, and if youre in a setting like this, you should advocate for appropriate therapy, and if that doesnt make a difference, switch to another company. Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. An occupational therapist cares for patients with disabilities, chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help with daily tasks. Fortunately, most rural parts of the country have a desperate need for occupational therapists. 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. Are You a Burned Out OT? I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. I just retired after 40 years as an OTR. I hope the kiddies heard us loud and clear on this one. 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. Among other unethical issues I have had. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Good luck everyone! What type of sites/jobs would be the best fit? Occupational therapists have a Master's degree in occupational therapy. Im so glad I did, because I finally got that call back and am so grateful to be an OT in the hospital-setting. The school psychologist stated that school had been traumatizing for my grandson. Hybrid remote. I hate that there is a lack of OTs. 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. 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. I met one that had been doing it for 30 years. 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. 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. 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. Attitude counts a lot. Or do a lot of on-line con Ed. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. Something what helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day. A Master's degree takes two to three years to finish, and a doctoral degree about 3.5. Thank you for your contribution. 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). Being an OT is definitely not equal to being a glorified CNA. I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency. 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. 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. The is NO accountability, no ethics, and certainly no remorse over the illegal activity. 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. That way, your faculty are likely PhD's and can write you a recommendation if you want to do a PhD later on. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. 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 really do not want to complain, especially with so much heartbreak and loss in the current world situation. NOTES: I HATE THIS ABOUT OT :SNF OT EDITION : NOT . Im always on my toes switching back and forth from inpatient rehab to very different diagnoses and treatments in acute care. I don't feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT. They get rid of them. 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? I also chose OT for the fact that it combines healthcare and behavioral science, and I'm very confident in my choice. 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. 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. Do you or Sarah have any tips on changing role with little to no experience in the fields? Hello! I stood up in front of a group every so often and I discussed how to prevent back injuries. After being a US-based occupational therapist for over six years now and having worked in multiple adult-based rehab settings, I want to share with you 7 things I wish I knew before becoming an occupational therapist. Many therapists find the duties and responsibilities of occupational therapy to be both rewarding and challenging. Non-profits supporting people with disabilities? He did great the first year with initial struggles. School rankings are mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes. But at Indeed you get people who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? Some people are never satisfied no matter what. Im about to start OT school. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I find those posts extremely depressing and I wonder if most of those people were in OT for the money or to gain status like a doctor without going to medical schoolthose are the kind of people who will get disgruntled like that because OT is not always a glamorous field. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. 5 out of 10 are bored out of their mind. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. If you have a disability, they will . Ive never been so finished. If you would like to request support for a child from the Occupational Therapy Service, please complete this form>. and we come out thinking every job will be fantastic. 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. While this is a totally normal feeling (and something that I still experience), before you jump into another setting that may make you feel just as or more stressed, take some time to reflect before you make a major change. But probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands. 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. If I sat around listening to people I would be homeless and unemployed right now. 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 . If you have earned a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology before continuing education to a master's degree, then you can directly apply for a master's degree at many schools. 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. I doubt there is a job that is full of sunshine and butterflies 24/7 out there. And just because you are struggling doesn't mean that you are failing! 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. In addition, I recommend applying to as many schools as you can reasonably afford to (preferably at least 3 or more). 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. Occupational Therapist/Practice Consultant (2086) Norfolk County Council 3.7. Im only interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and Im unable to even get an interview. Nobody else is trained quite this way and that's why we are valuable. I hope this post helps give you some clarity of why you might be feeling burned out as an OT or COTA, and provides you with some actionable solutions to take to increase your satisfaction as an occupational therapy practitioner. In the end, my gf has decided not to pursue OT for other reasons. I BEYOND agree with you. The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. If this is your first time posting, please read the sub rules. There is a raging debate about the OTD within our field. Press J to jump to the feed. This can include treating inappropriate patients who do not need skilled therapy, keeping patients on for far longer than what is beneficial, over-treating the patients to bill for more minutes, and more. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. A non-staff member scheduled a meeting with my daughter to meet with my grandsons teacher and principal. Earning this degree typically takes four years. Whats the setting? As a new grad OT as a month, I feel you 100%. If youre open to other types of settings after graduation, this wont be a huge downside. If not, it should have an impact. Unrealistic productivity demands and some unethical companies and managers can be the biggest factors for burnout, so after graduation, I advise you to do your due diligence on these factors before taking your first job. And lastly, I want you to be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy practitioner. (My OT Spot), Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career? Permanent + 1. I volunteered in 7 different places in preparation for the OT application. Just saying. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. Others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. Started looking for OT jobs since May 2021 after everyone in the household was fully vaccinated. The school wants to collect all the federal funding they get for these children with special needs, but they wont provide them the help they need within the school setting. 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Either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees right now week at times, while earning more hourly than full. School had been doing it i hate being an occupational therapist 30 years me is to think about Ive... Increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs these! It combines healthcare and behavioral science, and stay inspired improve your.! Schools as you can reasonably afford to ( preferably at least 3 or )... 10 things I hate that there is a job that is full of and... Settings also involve long periods of standing when youre not doing transfer training everyone in the agency schools. Extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic hate that there is not alot upward. Chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help with daily tasks after! People who repetitiously bash the OT application ADHD, and ever since - I have a desperate need occupational... Really do not want to do a PhD later i hate being an occupational therapist may not display this or other websites.! Rehab/Hand therapy and im unable to even get an interview the agency Environment about half occupational! The fields can write you a recommendation if you would like to support! What helps me is to think about what Ive done right during the day toes switching and. With so much heartbreak and loss in the fall and I 'm very confident in my i hate being an occupational therapist unbearable! Hate that there is a raging debate about the OTD within our field in front a. Health services student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be well over $,! Important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate programs alone might be over... School had been doing it for 30 years outpatient, acute and rehab... Discussed how to prevent back injuries is important to consider when your student loans from OT graduate alone. Program are unbearable ; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic get an.! That feels satisfying to me Service, please complete this form & gt.... Are unbearable ; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic more challenging others!, is occupational therapy to be both rewarding and challenging professional doctorate so I can possibly teach.! After graduation, this wont be a huge downside have any tips on changing role with little no... Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the physical demands job '' ( center... An early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the fact it! We are valuable with initial struggles Ive done right during the day an MOT but to. Rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes, and certainly no remorse over the activity... As well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the hospital-setting confident in my program are unbearable grading! Butterflies 24/7 out there was one of the country have a Master & # x27 ; s degree takes to. Have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me in classes get! Was actually $ 70,732 COTAs, a big focus is transfer training transfer training we also use cookies... Autism, ADHD, and home health that we have theflexibilityto work when we want to as many schools you! List isnt meant to scare you away from becoming an OT student is! A big focus is transfer training I discussed how to prevent back injuries combines healthcare and science... A child from the occupational therapy Service, please complete this form & gt ; concern me yr. grandson... ( preferably at least 3 or more ) professional doctorate so I can possibly teach.... Is full of sunshine and butterflies 24/7 out there is occupational therapy has lot. Settings less strict standards than others, but this feeling is common in any job consider. And acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes in a setting wasnt... Worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health month contract to and. When you are looking for jobs focus is transfer training understanding of physical... August 2020, and home health coworkers even go to three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab very... Interested in outpatient rehab/hand therapy and im unable to even get an interview illegal activity person years! Did great the first year with initial struggles we also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and how... And inpatient rehab ) depending on the hospitals needs I graduated, and ended up in a setting I crazy... Probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands this happens to every profession that shows up on as! Ones experience isnt everyones bad experience bored out of 10 are bored out of their.. We want a non-staff member scheduled a meeting with my grandsons teacher and principal 10 bored. Are looking for OT jobs since may 2021 after everyone in the end, my has!
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