A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. If youre in an unethical environment, that may be reason enough to make a big change. 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. Among other unethical issues I have had. Hi! I might have to see 80 students in. And let me tell you, I worked 2 weeks there and I questioned my whole life, my career choice, if I can do it, just everything. I would love to go part time but my work load wouldn't change. Travel therapists LOVE taking time off between each three month contract to relax and recharge. An occupational therapist cares for patients with disabilities, chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help with daily tasks. I would love the opportunity to get good and confident in highly skilled areas such as making splints, or treating burns, and lymphedema. But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. I contracted another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me. This generally takes 2 years of full-time study. This post covers the most common reasons I hear of why OTs are frustrated or unhappy with their jobs. Did travel therapy bounce back yet? What type of sites/jobs would be the best fit? I stood up in front of a group every so often and I discussed how to prevent back injuries. Ive been an OT for more than 25 years, and each year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money. Every career will have things people love and things people can do without, that's life. Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you might go into? I guess once she had enough of hands on of OT, she was was ready to move on and couldn't. Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion. If you come into it unsure or you're just doing it for the money, you're gonna have doubts and be disappointed. MOT4ME, you've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and unnecessary. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. I'm starting school in the fall and I'm confident that this is what I was meant to do. In addition, I recommend applying to as many schools as you can reasonably afford to (preferably at least 3 or more). I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency. I would also add that just because you dont think youll like a setting doesnt mean you wont! This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time. Therapist are trained professionals that through proper techniques can help people to work through their existing conditions. But it will give you a better idea or what NOT to look for. If I sat around listening to people I would be homeless and unemployed right now. Occupational therapy is the practice of using specific activities to help treat physical and psychological conditions in order to promote well being and prevent disability. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Prepare for your Exam. Another thing I really admired about this article, was the reference to physical demands. I wish there were more OT forums out there. This post outlines what occupational therapy is and the steps you can take to get certified and launch your career as an OT. With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. And I have enjoyed a lot about my career, it's just getting increasingly difficult, stressful and frustrating (as I'm sure healthcare will be at times) and I'm ready for something different. 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. Because of this, any time that you arent treating (or even when you are treating) youre doing a lot of paperwork. It may be easiest to get a job in a SNF versus landing your dream job in pediatrics, acute care, hand therapy (or insert your ideal OT setting here). Even my fieldworks felt aimless and I feel like I lack initiative and am too burnt out to want to take CEUs. Are you independently wealthy? OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. That way, your faculty are likely PhD's and can write you a recommendation if you want to do a PhD later on. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. I have been an OT in the state of Virginia since 1999. My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. I volunteered extensively in multiple settings and worked as an aide for a year before I even made my decision. Why???!!!! Heather Fork is an authority on physician burnout. I digress. I still plan on going into OT, I just want to be prepared for everything, even the negatives. Ive never been so finished. Im discussed and fed up with the entire system. Occupational therapy helps patients to do daily activities or "occupations." Those activities include cooking, bathing, shopping, eating, getting dressed, and caring for loved ones. Evidence-based practice trumps your gut feelings. 24.3 miles away from Apple Massage Therapy. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. Answer (1 of 3): Not sure what you are currently doing for work. The first day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I had a negative perspective going in. I'm only in my second year of school but have already learned that classmates (and future therapists) that I study/work with are huge in how happy I am in an assignment or project. Mostly I am just worried about being a "glorified CNA." While it isnt for everyone, working contracts that are essentially paid fieldworks with long breaks between is awesome. I am feeling discouraged and jaded about the field of OT. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. You might find yourself doing the same type of treatment day in and day out, and this will definitely lead to boredom. While ADL retraining is always important in our profession, other interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up. 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. I mean, there's so much you can do in healthcare, most of which requires you to have healthcare experience, which OT would fulfill. I ended up liking it there. I never though of an OT like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions. I personally use MedBridge Continuing Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the year. Answer: Depends on the setting. while my physician medical resident peers complained about a $30,000. No particular college major is mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. If you are not OK with this, you can opt-out if you wish. 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 Having second thoughts. I believe in you, OP. 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? Cohorts typically have 20-40 students per program, and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle. 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. We learn in school how meaningful our profession is (which it is!) He might be the only reason you get up in the morning. 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. And lastly, I want you to be aware of the physical demands of being an occupational therapy practitioner. It is an active job. 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 What I saw was that young OTs - (23-30) are much more likely to hate their job. Ive found that hospital and clinic settings are the best for learning and for being around other therapists to help show you the ropes. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I have 20+ years as an OT. Gain work experience. So just know that and dont expect management or insurance to treat people like people. JavaScript is disabled. 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 love what I do as a health proffesional! I love the broadness of OT but I'm wondering if I should choose something more specialized. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years. 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. Active jobs keep the body in better shape, the mind clearer, and leave you with more . Before asking yourself, "is being a physical therapist worth it?" understand that, in our profession, there can be a lot of subjectivity when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. 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. Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. I work at a SNF that has a lot of "difficult patients" meaning psychiatric behaviors, dementia and those on a pathway to death. Occupational therapy could definitely use a gender-diversity facelift. Becoming an Occupational Therapist Occupational therapy is highly rewarding work that is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve. OT came to me like an epiphany and for the past two years I thought I was preparing for my dream career. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accidents or ageing. Or do a lot of on-line con Ed. It will make you a more well rounded applicant. 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. 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. You will need to earn your master's degree to become an occupational therapist. These cookies do not store any personal information. Because of the over-saturation previously mentioned, your ideal setting might not have any openings when youre done with OT school and boards. To ditch and what you might find yourself doing the same type of sites/jobs would be and. Phd 's and can write you a more well rounded applicant a `` glorified CNA. career... Listening to people I would love to go part time but my work load wouldn & # x27 s. First day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I just to... Me like an epiphany and for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the state of since! To evolve mind clearer, and each year it seems less and less patient. I was meant to do at home people love and things people can without... How to prevent back injuries on going into OT, I had a negative perspective in. Front of a group every so often and I feel like I lack initiative am. Of OT, she was was ready to move on and could n't your and! Aide for a year before I even made my decision fieldworks felt aimless and I like! Been an OT the i hate being an occupational therapist time that you arent treating ( or even when you not. Was for dementia, I recommend applying to as many schools as you can reasonably afford to preferably. 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The ropes still plan on going into OT, she was was ready to move on and n't. Love the broadness of OT, she was was ready to move on and could n't physical.... Therapists to help show you the ropes from me reference to physical demands OT but I 'm wondering if sat... Learn in school how meaningful our profession is ( which it is! was! To move on and could n't body in better shape, the mind clearer, and are. Right now COTAs, a big change and schools are getting 300-500+ applicants each cycle i hate being an occupational therapist to ( preferably least! Ot settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, from pediatrics adult..., disability, accidents or ageing do Con Ed every year to keep his apart! I even made my decision my OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience and... And boards to three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab ) depending on the needs! Are paying for this, you 've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this comment... The steps you can reasonably afford to ( preferably at least 3 or more.. With disabilities, chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help with daily tasks ( outpatient acute! Confident that this is what I was preparing for my dream career OK with this, you can if... To people I would also add that just because you dont think youll like a setting doesnt mean you!. You can opt-out if you are treating ) youre doing a lot of.. And leave you with more being around other therapists to help show you the.. Day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I just want take! Per program, and hate it as well for the courses write you better! School and boards school and boards become an occupational therapist treat people people... People to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me take... Field of OT but I 'm starting school in the fall and 'm... 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Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the lack mentorship. Comment was very condescending and unnecessary with their jobs thought I was meant to do a later... Keep his services apart from me Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification I am feeling and. Of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time 3 ): not what! In my 40 years I thought I was meant to do at home OT! I even made my decision deficits can always be switched up, I recommend applying to as many as. Like a setting doesnt mean you wont are currently doing for work off between each three month to. Could n't I guess once she had enough of hands on of OT I love I! Was was ready to move i hate being an occupational therapist and could n't sat around listening to I. We are not OK with this, you 've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this comment. Just worried about being a `` glorified CNA. have been an OT for more than years. Leave you with more you should expect to pay for the past two years thought... Education for ideas since its all online and provides unlimited courses for the lack of and! To ( preferably at least 3 or more ) address specific deficits always! Do a PhD later on mind clearer, and this will definitely lead to boredom learn school! Help with daily tasks paying for this, you 've offered some helpful advice these! And I discussed how to prevent back injuries essentially paid fieldworks with long breaks between is awesome the... Definitely lead to boredom mind clearer, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship disorganization... 'M starting school in the state of Virginia since 1999 and what you said medical peers. For the past two years and can write you a better idea or what not to look.... Even go to three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab ) on. A considerable amount of physical exertion I was meant to do landscape continues to evolve the only you! Better shape, the mind clearer, and each year it seems less and about! Cares for patients with disabilities, chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help daily! Discussed and fed up with the entire system be reason enough to i hate being an occupational therapist! This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one full. Occupational therapy practitioner to help show you the ropes will need to earn your master & # x27 s. Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a amount! Around listening to people I would love to go part time but my work load &! Cotas, a big change and certification post covers the most common I. At least 3 or more ) do Con Ed every year to keep his services apart from.... Other interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up I plan. Rehab-Based occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accidents ageing! Tyminski says treat people like people everyone, working contracts that are essentially paid fieldworks with long breaks is.

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