Concerned COTA

Hi! I'm a student in the COTA program at a technical college and had a question for some experienced COTAs out there. I love my schooling, but am concerned about the physical requirements? I am young and in good shape but worry about burning myself out. My main question is, can you carry this career on until you retire? Please let me know what you think.

There are many areas of practice for COTA's. I started out in Rehab and found it was alittle to much for my back. I switched to school based therapy and found that I really loved it. I migrated more towards the multiple disability classes and Autistic support rooms, I have found these classrooms suit me best. Unfortunetely, I needed to have back surgery this past summer due to DDD and DJD, I have no clue as to if I will be able to return to those positions in school based due to the semi physical nature. Acute Rehab is definetely out, but I do have other choices. Outpatient Rehab is typically less physically demanding as is mental health settings, general school based is also fine, although they pay for this is minimum.

School based is also great for people with young kids, snow days, summers off, holidays and typically really good benefits. Again I will say this is also the worst COTA field for pay, but sometimes worth the benefits.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide.

MLCOTA

Hospitals, SNF/LTC, and Acute Care all require heavy lifting and is hard on your back no matter how good your body mechanics. Don't know about schools, or outpatient as I have never worked in them. I have been a COTA for eight years and can say this is not a field could stay in until I retired. To me, the mental stress is more than the physical as I am a 38 y/o male in good shape. Having to deal with patients who don't want to have anything to do with therapy, arrogant therapists who could care less about what you have to say, are only a few of the things I tired of. Friday is the end of my travel contact and also my COTA career and I have no regrets in leaving this field.

Corey in Visalia, California said: Hospitals, SNF/LTC, and Acute Care all require heavy lifting and is hard on your back no matter how good your body mechanics. Don't know about schools, or outpatient as I have never worked in them. I have been a COTA for eight years and can say this is not a field could stay in until I retired. To me, the mental stress is more than the physical as I am a 38 y/o male in good shape. Having to deal with patients who don't want to have anything to do with therapy, arrogant therapists who could care less about what you have to say, are only a few of the things I tired of. Friday is the end of my travel contact and also my COTA career and I have no regrets in leaving this field.

You are lucky you have the opportunity to leave. I am sort of stuck in this field because I cannot afford to do anything else now. I am so sore from the lifting I am afraid that this job will kill me with the physical demands. I try to do as little as possible but sometimes you just have to lift them out of bed. Oh yes the mental demands are horrible also, but you can sometimes forget that on the weekend. The physical pain stays with you..

I am currently an aide at Blythdale Childrens Hospital an aide and have decided to go to school to become an OTA. Can anyone tell me about any OTA programs that you would or would not reccomend in the city. I am currently looking into Touro and LaGuardia. If there are any other programs you would strongly recommend please advise. Most people at my job say go to Mercy but that's really not feasibly due to the time and distance from Queens or Mahnattan being that I stiil have to work.

I would like to become recertified as an occupational therapy assistant. I need 36 hours of professional development units. I can take continuing education classes. Also,there is an online Refresher course coming up in the Spring of 2010 at St. Catherines University in Minneapolis. Upon completion, I would be able to recertify. I don't know if I can wait this long. Does anyone have any other ideas? I could do 18 hours of volunteer work. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of any volunteer positions in occupational therapy. For the last 3 years, I worked with children in early childhood but I would be interested in any area including mental health.

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HI Shine, I'm here in NYC and am having trouble signing onto the site. I emailed them. I am 64 yo female and the field gives seniors improving their quality of life...no mater what anyone else thinks. I also would like how to become a COTA (I'm just an OTA) I would like to case a refresher first. If you get a moment I would look foward to you suggestion. Offen times I see therapist who don't ge somewhat involved with their clients. Many therapists lack creativity and not the patients who "don't want to ge involved wilth therapy" Thanks--Rebecca

PanH in Greenville, South Carolina said: Hi! I'm a student in the COTA program at a technical college and had a question for some experienced COTAs out there. I love my schooling, but am concerned about the physical requirements? I am young and in good shape but worry about burning myself out. My main question is, can you carry this career on until you retire? Please let me know what you think.

Dear Student,

I'm a college grad of the COTA from the college of St. Catherine's in Mpls. I have worked in the field for over 3 years and yes it was demanding but as long as you use good body mechanics I don't foresee a problem. Stay focused and on task with All you do and don't try to save the entire nursing facility of residents. You can easily get burnt out wanting to help everyone because that happened to me. Your intentions are good I'm sure but stay FOCUSED on your work schedule only and you should be OK. Always remember to use good body mechanics with All transfers and don't be afraid to ask staff for help. You only have one back/pair of hips for the rest of your life. So be safe always I cannot emphasize that enough because if you don't in the years to come you will notice the difference.

Sincerely,
Kathleen

kathleen
your comments have been very helpful, i will start my ota coure classes in august 2010 and i am looking fwd to graduating and becoming an ota. I saw that ot therapy helped my son tremendously.
my hsuband tells me the same ask for help and all medical jobs are demanding on the body and mind.but as any job
thanks take care

PanH in Greenville, South Carolina said: Hi! I'm a student in the COTA program at a technical college and had a question for some experienced COTAs out there. I love my schooling, but am concerned about the physical requirements? I am young and in good shape but worry about burning myself out. My main question is, can you carry this career on until you retire? Please let me know what you think.

Hi,
I believe we attend the same school. I am trying to get into the phase II portion of the program. I was wondering if you have any advice as I believe you're further along than I am in the program? Thanks!