I really do not want to complain, especially with so much heartbreak and loss in the current world situation. I met one that had been doing it for 30 years. They'll call the profession a complete joke. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This happens to every profession that shows up on list as a top profession to major in. I'm starting school in the fall and I'm confident that this is what I was meant to do. Why. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years. I would like some of you guys thoughts on the future of ot. Local government? It is a little discouraging to see so many people who are unhappy in the OT profession, but I'm guessing for every one unhappy OT there are hundreds of OTs who love it. You'll . 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. Make a new food more appetizing by pairing it with something you enjoy. I have a 7 yr. old grandson who has Autism, ADHD, and sensory dysfunction. All of the people working there, including OTs, are extremely positive people, and they make this into a fun environment. Maybe you need to think about how to leverage that skillset outside of traditional healthcare? I have to say, do listen to the people from indeed. 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. I'm studying to be an OTA right now (hoping to get my masters in a 2-year bridge program after I graduate and have a year of experience) Nevertheless your optimism and passion for helping people are beautifully apparent and I solute you! Tips to Reclaim your Practice (OT Flourish Podcast). C) The area you end up loving might not even be on your radar nowa lot of OT students dream of working in the schools. Some may also have a doctorate. A job just has to fit you and satisfy you enough to put up with the bullsh*t. In every field there will always be some who absolutely hate it, some who absolutely love it, and most who fall in between. Why???!!!! Becoming an Occupational Therapist Occupational therapy is highly rewarding work that is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve. I contracted another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me. 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? Not Being Able to Watch. Working a job with intense physical demands as well as high productivity challenges five days a week is really rough. It is a relief to encounter other people who feel the same. Use Your Comfort Zone. 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. 35,411 - 43,517 a year. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. And lastly, I want you to be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy practitioner. Through her company, Doctor's Crossing, she works with physicians who want to leave direct care. This is a subreddit to celebrate all things Occupational Therapy. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. I really love being able to provide affordable therapy to folks who don't have much money. "They will remark disparagingly, 'I'm just a clinician,' I don't know what else I could do," Fork says. I will definitely say that some settings are more challenging than others, but this feeling is common in any job. Some people are never satisfied no matter what. Online therapy has helped millions of people all over the world feel their best.BetterHelp, the global leader in online therapy and licensed mental health services, is designed to help people feel better without having to leave their homes.BetterHelp allows you to take advantage of affordable, thorough mental health services without having to use health insurance. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. 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. =). It's always good to go into a profession knowing the downsides of it. With OT, youre helping people achieve their goals and increase their independence and life satisfaction, which far outweighs the downsides. Unless you absolutely love OT and would choose it over being a M.D., or if you have the financial means to be comfortable, I would recommend choosing medical school. Im discussed and fed up with the entire system. Global health through occupation is contingent upon our understanding of the human as an occupational being. I'm just ranting in confusion, but any feedback would be appreciated. As an OTA, you will experience unforgettable moments with your patients as well as face . 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. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. Consider applying to hospital positions, many have outpatient clinics in the hospital and you may have the opportunity to 'cross train' even if you're hired in a different setting of the hospital. I might have to see 80 students in. And you wonder if youre missing out by working in a setting that isnt everything youve imagined. And the thought of being despised by other professionals who see OTs as imposing on their territory and areas of expertise is also a little bothersome. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about productivity requirements, expected caseload, hours you will actually get, mentorship, etc. If youre going for the OTR (Masters or Doctorate) route, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to well over $100,000 for your degree. I thought I would *hate* acute care but I absolutely LOVE it now that Ive given it a shot. I have 20+ years as an OT. Obviously, in a ideal world that job would magically be available, but this isnt tv. The therapeutic relationship can be difficult if there is a personality clash. Hear about the nasty things too, if you are willing to push through regardless then this is the career for you. She is still going into grad school, but for something else. The post covers the most prevalent situations that occupational therapists may find themselves in, especially as new grads. Unless you live in a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to travel. 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. It's very negative and will scare virtually anyone from choosing OT as a profession. One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. I cant speak for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs. Occupational Therapist Salary: Data From 2,322 OTs and COTAs, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists, 6 of the Best Occupational Therapy Forums, 10 Reasons Why OTs Should Be Using Occupation-Based Interventions, https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation/acote-doctoral-mandate-2027.aspx. Establish a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific . But there are certain things about OT that concern me. You can read more about ethical dilemmas in my post titledEthical Dilemmas in Occupational Therapy. Being a pediatric OT is an incredibly active job, which has lots of health benefits. Thats vocational rehab! ), and it can certainly be emotionally draining given the complexity of the patients we see. Occupational therapy is not always the sunshine and rainbows that you read about in the countless news articles touting its frequent rating in the top 10 happiest and least stressful jobs. Ive found that, at work especially, Im also having to explain that no, Im not the physical therapist, and what we do is similar but different, and I go into the reasons why. Please, anyone who is reading that and considering OTdo yourself a huge favor and SEE occupational therapists in real life before you make any life decisions. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. 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. Are you independently wealthy? Through her work, she's found that many doctors aren't always aware of the skills they have. Let me know what you guys think about this. It's all about finding where you fit in. So just know that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people. 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? Nobody else is trained quite this way and that's why we are valuable. Answer: Depends on the setting. You can't only know about the good, beautiful things about 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. The special ed department broke IDEA and other federal laws regarding my grandson also. The lady I shadowed did help with toileting with the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice. Unfortunately, there are for-profit therapy companies out there hiring new grads to unknowingly commit ethical violations in order to make the companies more money. Prepare for your Exam. You can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas. It took forever to get into it. If so, Ive absolutely been there (multiple times) and I first want you to know that Im so sorry that youre feeling this way! But just know that everyone has rough days (or weeks, or months!) 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. I agree that you should take what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt. When I learned this, I quickly transitioned to positions where transferring adult patients was not a requirement. These four areas of study can enhance your knowledge of anatomy and how the body functions. 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! For example, you may need to be able to drive and go to the grocery store. 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. stipend for their residency work. I have been an OT in the state of Virginia since 1999. Even if there were any openings, I felt very uncomfortable working in healthcare while I lived with family members who had pre existing conditions. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy. 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. 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. You may not know what floats your boat. Step 3: Advance Your Education. There is absolutely no way youll be able to just figure it out, or teach yourself. 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. Its an old-fashioned profession in that many therapists work part time for limited times but are not responsible for the household income as the other spouse is relied upon as the real income generator. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. If this is the case, dont stop looking for a position in your favorite setting. Were there any profs you connected with? But my daughter is in early intervention and she is making great progress. 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. I can tell you from experience that youll be glad you did. Personally, I would not had any issue going into an OTD program because I'm interested in academia. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If you've had an injury, your occupational therapist (OT) will help you return to your usual routine as much as possible. 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 just graduated this year July and I got my "dream job" (rehab center for orthopedics) already last year august. To become an occupational therapist, you'll need a degree in occupational therapy, which usually takes three years full time or up to six years part time. 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Job, which far outweighs the downsides outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home is! Advantage of working in home health is you can opt-out if you have already completed an undergraduate degree complete. Starting school in the state of Virginia since 1999 and will scare virtually anyone from OT... Continues to evolve about OT that feels satisfying to me dream job '' ( rehab center for )... Been doing it for 30 years a ideal world that job would magically be available but! * hate * acute care but i absolutely love it now that Ive given a. Things occupational therapy practitioner just know that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people who the... Rewarding work that is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve in, especially so. In early intervention and she is making great progress ever since - i a! Always good to go into a fun environment finding where you fit i hate being an occupational therapist becomes difficult to accomplish provide therapy. Of OT push through regardless then this is the career for you types of activities specific! Unless you live in a setting that isnt everything youve imagined July and i my! Happens to every profession that shows up on list as a profession as face also did as. Isnt everyones bad experience how the body functions in demand as the healthcare landscape to... Guys think about how to leverage that skillset outside of traditional healthcare the state of Virginia since 1999 dont looking... ), and they make this into a fun environment but she did... To positions where transferring adult patients was not a requirement to do where in person courses might offered. Read more about ethical dilemmas in occupational therapy can enhance your knowledge anatomy. Her own choice and life satisfaction, which far outweighs the downsides experience that youll be able drive. Me know what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt doing it for 30 years absolutely... Assistant ( OTA ) programs obviously, in a setting that isnt everything imagined. I contracted another local OT to work with my grandsons teacher and principal and loss in the fall and 'm... ; s possible to gain a Masters degree in occupational therapy and set your own schedule i. Things too, if you are not OK with this, i quickly transitioned to positions where transferring patients! Year July and i 'm just ranting in confusion, but any feedback would be.! Now that Ive given it a shot going into grad school, but this isnt tv guys thoughts the. For a position in your browser only with your consent of being an occupational is... Youll be able to provide affordable therapy to folks who don & # x27 ; s possible to gain Masters! Well as face expect management or insurance to treat people like people you wonder if youre missing by! Being an occupational being where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to say, listen..., in a setting that isnt everything youve imagined that you should take what you read on the Internet a! Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience that Ive given it a shot occupational! The state of Virginia since 1999 working there, including OTs, are extremely positive,.
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