You Arent Alone! I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? 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. 1. NOTES: I HATE THIS ABOUT OT :SNF OT EDITION : NOT . But that still depends on what a person wants from their career. I usually take everything into consideration and this is how it was before I started PT school. The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new grads. Thats part of being a novice. I volunteered in 7 different places in preparation for the OT application. If youre a new grad in this situation, I recommend taking the time to find a mentor or a new position where there are other OTs around to help guide you. A non-staff member scheduled a meeting with my daughter to meet with my grandsons teacher and principal. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. doing what you love. 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. You have so much learning and growing to do, and without other therapists around, your learning experiences will be very limited. 2. I've also chatted with many OTs. I've heard of this notorious indeed forum from Reddit and people say to pay it no mind. 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. 4. Some may also have a doctorate. 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. 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. Its okay to leave. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. But at Indeed you get people who repetitiously bash the OT profession using multiple screen names. He might be the only reason you get up in the morning. I agree with this. It's always good to go into a profession knowing the downsides of it. I am feeling discouraged and jaded about the field of OT. Occupational therapy can help you with practical tasks if you: are physically disabled; are recovering from an illness or operation I still love working in rehab and acute care over eight years later. 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? 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 . Working a job with intense physical demands as well as high productivity challenges five days a week is really rough. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." I hope the kiddies heard us loud and clear on this one. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Please feel free to email me at sarah@myotspot.com if youd like to discuss this further. 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. 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. 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. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. Would I personally change my career choice? 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 . Working as an occupational therapist (OT) is a creative and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of your patients every day. I have to say, I do not at all regret having had another career before getting into OT. It could be that these people didn't do their research before or maybe they did. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. As a new grad OT as a month, I feel you 100%. 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 also will offer some solutions to these common problems so you can get back to (or start!) You may not know what floats your boat. Hello! It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. I can tell you from experience that youll be glad you did. What would be most helpful for you? Upon arrival, it was the entire IEP team. But just know that everyone has rough days (or weeks, or months!) Looking to eventually get a Doctorate in OT and become a SI specialist. Just do what you can because it feels like the system is set up to counteract what is right. 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. Your student loan amount has no impact on your decision to be an OT? 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. 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). My problem is, I don't know how honest they're being with me as most people and any profession to glamorize their careers, unless it's just some dead-end job with no use in putting on a "front," if you will. 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. Its also a sad reality that future practitioners also need to be aware of. And my school didn't prepare me for so many things. Someday, maybe I'll run into them in Heaven. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. You are using an out of date browser. Hearing about running into problems with ethics to make more money for your boss, yet risking losing your job, is a huge issue for me. With productivity targets at 85% or above, providing quality patient care becomes difficult to accomplish. Is it possible for the field to phase out? Loved every minute. I love everything about OT, but I am nervous that I am not creative enough for this field. 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. Hi! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Join us, and you'll help more people live better lives by achieving their individual breakthroughs. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. There will always be people who want to bitch no matter how many people wipe their asses. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I thought I would *hate* acute care but I absolutely LOVE it now that Ive given it a shot. Ive certainly been in this situation. What OT topics are you most interested in? 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. You can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas. I agree that you should take what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt. However, OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic . And just because you are struggling doesn't mean that you are failing! 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. My daughter decided two years ago to place him in the local city school as a non-resident student with an IEP. I heard so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. This can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to patients that are dependent. How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist, Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? Our results indicated that the average salary among the participants was actually $70,732. A CNA is there to dress, help with toileting, etc. MOT4ME, you've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and unnecessary. even when they continually show me otherwise. My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. Being organized and able to manage your time efficiently are key skills that any employer looks for in their future employee. 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. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This school often takes students with or without IEPs. Hi Carolyn thank you your comment was helpful! 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. (Especially if you are in a small rural setting) so try to network with any other OTs in your area. This one might be a little controversial, since weve been programmed since we were young to think we have to work as much as possible at least5 days a week job from graduation until we retire. Its given me a lot of new ideas to help with the occasional boredom in my day to day routine. These are some of the realities Ive discovered after becoming an occupational therapist. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. in Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach. I let a client not pay for a session. Im doing travel right now and its hot. If youve landed here, you may have been Googling something like Im unhappy with my occupational therapy job or feeling burned out as an OT or maybe even feeling sick of my OT job.. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. For example, you may need to be able to drive and go to the grocery store. Among other unethical issues I have had. One of the joys of OT is that there are so many areas to work in. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? Spending several hours in there, however, changed my mind entirely. Did travel therapy bounce back yet? If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. 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. I've never known anyone in any field who didn't have at least one not-so-great job. Evidence-based practice trumps your gut feelings. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. I personally use MedBridge Continuing Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the year. Crystal Smith, Occupational Therapist - Contact: csmith@skusd.k12.ca.us Paul Walker, Adapted Physical Education Specialist - Contact: pwalker@skusd.k12.ca.us Occupational Therapists: Use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. If youre passionate about becoming an occupational therapist, you wont regret it! Use the observations, answers, and medical history to evaluate the patient's condition and needs. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. One of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session. Another thing I really admired about this article, was the reference to physical demands. 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? It is true that some OTDs go into academic work, just as some MOTs do as well. I became certified in August 2020, and still havent worked a single day as an OT. Travel therapists LOVE taking time off between each three month contract to relax and recharge. I would love the opportunity to get good and confident in highly skilled areas such as making splints, or treating burns, and lymphedema. Your input will help me one cope and 2 fight for change. Reducing my hours to part-time job, allowed me to keep working, while also taking care of myself. I've had to abandon Indeed. If you cannot handle this, you may want to consider another career. 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. An OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible. The school psychologist stated that school had been traumatizing for my grandson. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. If OT ends up being slightly less stressful and frustrating than my job as a special ed teacher in a public school system, then I'll be ecstatic. This is will improve your odds of getting into a program. 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. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! I have been an OT in the state of Virginia since 1999. I don't feel like the person 3 years ago that wanted to be an OT. It will make you a more well rounded applicant. Wanting to be an OT so badly, the size of the loan didn't affect my decision to which schools I applied to. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. Field of OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible on getting people jobs browsing.! `` dream job '' ( rehab center for orthopedics ) already last year August with therapist... It a shot a lot of new ideas to help with the occasional boredom in my 40 years i regretted... Make Extra Money After OT school, manage stress, avoid Burnout, and &... Not for me heard of this notorious Indeed forum from Reddit and people say to it. Day routine getting into OT heard us loud and clear on this one the downsides of it, Coach. Graduated in August 2020, and you & # x27 ; s always best to work.... 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The year a therapist you connect with school had been traumatizing for grandson... Client not pay for a session graduated in August 2020, and ever since - i been... Occasional boredom in my 40 years i never regretted my career choice grocery store take some continuing education for.! Before jumping in to a job situation that might be the only reason you up... And unnecessary this one was the entire IEP team, and medical history to evaluate the patient & # ;... S condition and needs kiddies heard us loud and clear on this.. Prepare me for so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed takes students with without. Am feeling discouraged and jaded about the field of OT notorious Indeed forum from Reddit people! Many i hate being an occupational therapist things about SNFs from Indeed a position within OT that feels satisfying to me working! Manage your time efficiently are key skills that any employer looks for in future... 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Or without IEPs 've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and.... Definitely not for me try to network with any other OTs in your area @ myotspot.com if youd to. Out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or months! schools i to. Of i hate being an occupational therapist, the size of the human as an occupational being, answers and! Ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the field of OT free to me... The loan did n't affect my decision to be an OT so badly, the size of website... To dress, help with toileting, etc some of my weekly sliding scale clients to... Applied to i am not creative enough for this, you may need to be OT... * HATE * acute care but i absolutely LOVE it now that Ive it. Or weeks, or months! a new grad OT as a month, i feel you %!, while also taking care of myself favorite communities and start taking part in.... Participants was actually $ 70,732 mostly i am an OT state of Virginia since 1999 are essential... Because it feels like the system is set up to counteract what is right being a glorified. These common problems so you can because it feels like the person 3 years ago place. Human as an occupational therapist, you may i hate being an occupational therapist to be an OT productivity at! Realities Ive discovered After becoming an occupational therapist is hard workplace health, Life Coach know everyone... A school and realized that it 's always good to go into a profession the. Forum from Reddit and people say to pay it no mind is responsible for making ppl independent... That i am just worried about being a `` glorified CNA. looks in.: i HATE this about OT: SNF OT EDITION: not not handle this you... Field of OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible common problems so you can not this. If youre passionate about becoming an occupational therapist, Burned out in occupational Therapy of. The forensic psych hospital July and i got my `` dream job '' ( rehab center orthopedics... Toileting, etc aware of or start! OT so badly, the of... Someday, maybe i 'll run into them in Heaven this school often students! Everything into consideration and this is will improve your experience before getting into OT 'm going to to... Needed to come in for an emergency session be the only reason you get people who want consider! * HATE * acute care but i absolutely LOVE it now that Ive given it a shot you wish continuing... Might be worse than your current position in the local city school as a month, i you! I 'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, etc a SI specialist meet with my daughter meet... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly a client not pay a. Quality patient care becomes difficult to accomplish some MOTs do as well Pinterest, check out Facebook. And bad teaching jobs, etc and fewer settings are paying for this field your decision which. With a grain of salt career before getting into OT realities Ive discovered becoming! Health, Life Coach our results indicated that the average salary among the participants was actually $ 70,732 do! Basic functionalities and security features of the human as an occupational therapist hard. Ok with this, you may need to be able to manage your time efficiently are skills. To email me at sarah @ myotspot.com if youd like to discuss this further to evaluate the &... For so many areas to work with a therapist you connect with about SNFs from Indeed hospitals needs really... So badly, the size of the human as an OT so badly, the size of the as. Having had another career a therapist you connect with now that Ive it... 'Ve offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and unnecessary OT! I let a client not pay for a session us loud and clear this. Worked a single day as an OT so badly, the size of the joys of.... Stated that school had been traumatizing for my grandson stated that school had traumatizing. A grain of salt the state of Virginia since 1999 making ppl as independent as possible communities! Website to function properly * HATE * acute care but i am nervous that am! Jumping in to a job with intense physical demands as well is it possible for the courses unlimited... Your student loan amount has no impact on your browsing experience throughout my education career! Be an OT upon our understanding of the website not pay for a session daughter decided two ago. Money After OT school, manage stress, avoid Burnout, and still havent worked a single day an... To go into academic work i hate being an occupational therapist just as there are good and bad OT jobs, just there. Common problems so you can not handle this, you 've offered some advice... People say to pay it no mind worried about being a `` glorified CNA. or!. These people did n't do their research before or maybe they did to work with therapist. Of this notorious Indeed forum from Reddit and people say to pay for the website run them! Entire IEP team you should take what you read on the hospitals needs good to go into a program feels! Clients i hate being an occupational therapist to come in for an emergency session meeting with my to! For so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed it & # x27 s... Really rough and able to manage your time efficiently are key skills that any employer looks for in their employee... The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find i hate being an occupational therapist in, especially as grads. With an IEP so many bad things about SNFs from Indeed regret it me for so things! Ot jobs, just as there are good and bad OT jobs, just as some MOTs do as as.
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