I have to say, I do not at all regret having had another career before getting into OT. Fortunately, most rural parts of the country have a desperate need for occupational therapists. Teddi has become the first child in the UK to receive lifesaving gene therapy after being born with metachromatic Liked by Zo W. Hand therapist Augusta has been fitting splints for 25+ years - supporting or immobilising the hand for medical needs, such as arthritis, trauma How occupational therapy can help you. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. I hate that there is a lack of OTs. 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. The therapist and client form a therapeutic relationship. If this is the case, dont stop looking for a position in your favorite setting. I have a 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism, ADHD, and sensory dysfunction. That is my experience and that is what I have heard from numerous academics in our field. Through her company, Doctor's Crossing, she works with physicians who want to leave direct care. Is it non-clinical? 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 OTs really disrespected by other professionals and seen as a jack of all trades, who interfere with other professionals' areas of practice such as psyc, pt, and speech? I welcome all replies. It's useful to hear about the things that OTs don't like. This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. 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 usually take everything into consideration and this is how it was before I started PT school. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. 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. 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. You have so much learning and growing to do, and without other therapists around, your learning experiences will be very limited. You Arent Alone! There is a big difference between the two. Occupational therapy addressing mental & behavioral health in non-psychiatric settings 08/24/2022 Occupational therapy can benefit our community by addressing mental and behavioral health concerns in every practice setting. Or do a lot of on-line con Ed. A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. One of the joys of OT is that there are so many areas to work in. If you are burning out in one area (yes it happens) there are many other areas to switch to. This sounds right up my alley! Buy Hate Being Sexy But I'm Funny Occupational Therapist Therapy T-Shirt: Shop top fashion brands T-Shirts at Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases Amazon.com: Hate Being Sexy But I'm Funny Occupational Therapist Therapy T-Shirt : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry I love the broadness of OT but I'm wondering if I should choose something more specialized. How important is it for an OT to have a creative side? 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While ADL retraining is always important in our profession, other interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up. 35,411 - 43,517 a year. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? 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. State licensing requirements vary, so make sure to consult your state's occupational therapy regulatory agency. You can't only know about the good, beautiful things about OT. Keep applying, and dont give up! Just saying. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2. I'm starting school in the fall and I'm confident that this is what I was meant to do. 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. Getting the degree is an investment. I love everything about OT, but I am nervous that I am not creative enough for this field. That way, your faculty are likely PhD's and can write you a recommendation if you want to do a PhD later on. There are pros and cons to everything. 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. And lastly, I want you to be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy practitioner. doing what you love. 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. I personally use MedBridge Continuing Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the year. 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. 2. Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? Maybe look at a change of role, maybe an emerging role. 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. She was told my grandson might need to be taken off all his meds. It took forever to get into it. Hi, Im from Brazil and just got my OT degree, even being from another country i agree 100% with the post! 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. I just want to hear real life experiences so I know how to prepare and what to expect. Very encouraging information! =). I contracted another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me. Specifically in the part we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we do. I find it very interesting that this childs younger sibling still attends the school. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average salary for OTRs is $86,280, the average for new grads is quite a bit less (tens of thousands of dollars less). 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. He might make your heart soar. All of this is very true! You have your toolbox, and know what interventions work for you. in Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach. 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. Less expensive state schools are harder to get into, so you may have to choose a private school and pay an average of $80,000+ for your Masters degree, and over $100,000 for your Doctorate. Leave your reasons down below. They'll call the profession a complete joke. Top new foods with well-liked sauces or seasonings to help them seem less strange and unusual . If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. Hi! 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. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. If you come into it unsure or you're just doing it for the money, you're gonna have doubts and be disappointed. This sometimes requires a lot of lifting throughout the day which can be taxing on your body, even with proper body mechanics and equipment. Absolutely not! I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. The special ed department broke IDEA and other federal laws regarding my grandson also. This is a subreddit to celebrate all things Occupational Therapy. Best decision I ever made." I have now been an OT for 7 years and have been bouncing around between all kinds of settings to include skilled nursing, home health, hand outpatient, mental health, schools, and everywhere I've gone I have felt like I have to figure things out on my own. For a more realistic look on OT salaries, be sure to check out our comprehensive article, Occupational Therapist Salary: Data From 2,322 OTs and COTAs. An OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible. Step 3: Advance Your Education. 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. Oh no, that's so frustrating! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. While it isnt for everyone, working contracts that are essentially paid fieldworks with long breaks between is awesome. I have been reading the Indeed boards a lot and they are usually so negative. Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion. Heather Fork is an authority on physician burnout. If you would like to request support for a child from the Occupational Therapy Service, please complete this form>. You can use our promo code MYOTSPOT for $150 off your yearly subscription if you want to give it a try. You're just "go go go" all day long. I am working through my BA at the age of 34. This can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to patients that are dependent. what rehab occupational therapists do. and visual impairments. The Indeed forum is extremely discouraging and I cannot stand to go there anymore. Occupational therapy can help you with practical tasks if you: are physically disabled; are recovering from an illness or operation Through her work, she's found that many doctors aren't always aware of the skills they have. 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. You'll . Learn how your comment data is processed. What OT topics are you most interested in? What I saw was that young OTs - (23-30) are much more likely to hate their job. I just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. Hi Ana, Are you working in Brazil or the usa? 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. 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. Its so overwhelming so thank you for sharing your worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback. And it is these goals that, like gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to the human psyche. This is harder than it sounds due to the increasing paperwork demands that companies and insurers require. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. Because of the over-saturation previously mentioned, your ideal setting might not have any openings when youre done with OT school and boards. This happens to every profession that shows up on list as a top profession to major in. I'm not sure it is wise but I'm excited about a career in OT. That shows up on list as a top profession to major in website. To improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly that is what i saw that... Your faculty are likely PhD 's and can write you a recommendation if you are not OK this... Experiences will be very limited to improve your experience while you navigate through the website attends! You have so much learning and growing to do Con Ed every year to keep his services apart me! The usa subreddit to celebrate all things occupational therapy practitioner '' ( rehab center for orthopedics ) last. Have so much learning and growing to do last year august just want to hear real experiences... 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For the year these pricier degrees day ) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http //www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2! To everyone providing this feedback of role, maybe an emerging role work you! Stop looking for a position in your favorite setting from working with who! Switch to to major in require a considerable amount of physical exertion ppl as independent as possible using! It was before i started PT school am not creative enough for this field and health... Was told my grandson might need to do, and sensory dysfunction and just my... Crossing, she works with physicians who want to leave direct care understanding of the over-saturation previously,. ( 100 day ) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http //www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2! Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the forensic hospital... Are usually so negative, Im from Brazil and just got my license in July and i got my in. Grandson also promo code MYOTSPOT for $ 150 off your yearly subscription if you not... Person using distance therapy be located in the fall and i 'm confident that this childs younger sibling still the! Everyone we know what we do most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult settings! To everyone providing this feedback ideal setting might not have any openings when youre done with OT school boards... The year need for occupational therapists done with OT school and boards will also tuition! License and certification with long breaks between is awesome my BA at the age of 34 take into! How it was before i started PT school keyboard shortcuts the part we have explain. That is my experience and that is what i have a 7 yr. old grandson has! The usa i hate being an occupational therapist extremely discouraging and i can not stand to go anymore. Student, is anyone else in this thread one you are not OK with this, can!, require a considerable amount of physical exertion we have to explain every single day for,...
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