The Best and Worst thing about Being an OT

Hi everyone. I'm a junior in college right now thinking about OT. At first, I wanted to be a PA but I concluded that it wasn't for me and I think OT is more suited because you seem to connect to the patients more and that's what I want. I've taken all my prereqs for PA and now considering OT, I need to take more classes for prereqs but I don't have time next year to do that because I can't choose my classes next year because as health science major in my university, we have to take required classes. So I might have to stay an extra year in school.

But anyway, my problem is, I can't find much information about OT and if I do, they all say the same thing.

I would just like to know the opinions of OTs in their field. Please tell me not only the good aspects of the job but also the bad aspects. For example, does lifting people pose as a problem? Do OTs clean up diapers all the time like nurses? Is it worth all the stress of schooling? I would really prefer some personal details on this. Thank you for your help.

i am really suprised that no one is answering your post. it would really be of great use to here from OT's out there, for all of us interested in entering the field.

thanks

Best thing(s) about OT:
1. relatively stress-free job
2. OT school is pretty easy (and I went to the so-called #1 program in the country and did quite well)
3. I don't believe that finding an OT position will ever be a problem
4. Money is not bad even for starting therapists. Of course, a lot of this depends on what setting you wish to work in.

Private hospitals and Pediatric clinics pay the least:
approx $40-50k/yr

L.A. County jobs (hospitals and other orgs)
approx $70k/yr

SNF (Skilled nursing facilities)
These positions really depend on how business savvy you are, but there is a lot of negotiation room.

When I was a new grad I was able to negotiate to get paid in the mid $80k in the metro So Cal area, but I've heard about a lot of naive classmates who've taken as little as $50k/yr. So you need to learn to advocate for yourself!

Worst thing(s) about OT:
1. nobody has heard of your profession
2. if someone has heard of your profession, they look down on you and/or don't really understand the importance of what you do.
3. there's a wage ceiling that most OTs hit pretty quickly (even if you work your butt off and/or own your own clinic, it's extremely rare to see a salary that exceeds $150,000 grand)...so, if you want to make a lot of money, stick with being a PA.

Also, OTs do not clean diapers! That's nursing. However, we might teach a patient how to change their own diapers.

I hope that helps.

thanks for your reply. i hope more people respond. i am curious to see who agrees or has conflicting views on this.

debbie mags in san francisco, California said: i am really suprised that no one is answering your post. it would really be of great use to here from OT's out there, for all of us interested in entering the field.

thanks

Thanks for asking that, I have similar questions. I was in manual therapies before but reached some dead ends there. So I want to learn more therapies in a stable profession. I have been looking into OT, the problem is, the only jobs I can ever find advertised are for Skilled Nursing facilities like nursing homes. I know for sure that this would bore me to death, as I hate nursing homes. Another thing is I don't think I would be very interested in adaptive devices as a primary focus of my energy with patients. I don't know if I would only want to work with people with disablities. With these two things in mind, am I getting this picture correct or am I way off base in regards to what is involved with this profession?

Melissa,

As far as the salary info that OTDUDE has quoted sounds pretty accurate. Also, SNF work is the most available and generally offers the best pay...and yes, the trade-off is that it is extremely boring and (personally--in my experience) not very fulfilling or challenging.

As far as potential areas of practice, there are very limited practice areas for OTs. You could work a psychosocial setting (i.e., an inpatient psychiatric hospital) but these spots are pretty limited to county or state orgs if you want any kind of decent pay. If you $$$ is not an object then working in a clubhouse model or assisted employment with outpatient or community-based psychosocial programs is also an option.

Basically, and I hate to admit it, the practice areas that are available are traditional clinic/hospital/snf settings. However, if you're good at marketing yourself and are very dedicated you could use an OT degree to open your own practice.

I hope that helps

thanks so much.

do you ever find your OT job to be boring or monotonous? I am trying to decide between pursuing a masters in PT or OT. (I am coming from a design background, so its a careers change, and a whole lot of schooling ahead of me) I am trying to figure out which field sounds like a better fit for me.

i see alot of people saying that OT is an fairly unknown profession...how much does that affect you really when out in the field? do you get disrespected by other healthcare professionals? not exactly sure how that is a negative thing.

do OT's ever compete with PT's for any reason?

thanks so much! getting a much better understanding of this field thru this board, and loving it!

Experienced California Labor Law Attorne in Long Beach, California said: do you get paid proper overtime? meals and breaks?

In response to your question. Overtime is not compensated if you're hired as a school OT and from what my peers have said, in the school district, there is a lot of work taken home--this is due to being paid salary and not hourly.

Overtime in other settings is often not required. I work a pretty standard M-F 7am-4pm schedule which includes 1 hour lunch. Most of the productivity is based on a 45 minute treatment and 15 minute documentation use of the 1-hour session. However, if you work for a staffing company, many times there is the option to work saturdays and earn time and a half.

To respond to Debbie:

1. OT can be boring, and/or monotonous...but what job isn't? I try to approach it from an overal quality of life approach. Besides, I can't sing or dance and I'm too slow to be a runningback for the Saints so I can't complain. =)
2. As far as unfamiliarity with the profession...well, this is a reality. We're often confused with physical therapy, and sometimes Doctors and other professionals might not truly value what we do...but to tell you the truth, I think that it has more to do with individual arrogance/insecurity. You'll find that everyone complains about getting disrespected. (ER docs get ridiculed by surgeons, nurses get it from everybody...etc,.) So I don't really care.

3. As far as competition between PT and OT. I would say that in certain settings there is a lot of whining and mutual beef (see above). But if ur not a drama queen and have a good sense of self...u won't really care about the politics b/c u get paid as much as PTs (if not more in some cases).

OTDUDE, your awesome! a few more questions, if you dont mind:

1-Which places would you recommend I go to shadow? (im trying to get an overall, varied sense of the kind of places I could work for as an OT).
If you could pick 3 different places, which would they be and why?

2-Do you feel that the reputation or awareness of Occupational Therapy is on the rise?

4-do you typically work alone in hospital settings? with other OT's, or PT's? Do you feel you are able to retain autonomy in your job setting?

5-ok, so i have a pretty hard time taking orders from people (authority issues, oh yes) do you think this trait could be a problem being an OT? (im great with people, just wondering more about the settings and working with docy=tors, etc)

thanks so much! you have been a great help.

Debbie,

Thanx, but to answer your questions...
1. I would shadow at a SNF(skilled nursing facility), Outpatient clinic (and u could drop in inpatient..but it's a lot like a snf) in a hospital(private and/or county), and a pediatric clinic(if u enjoy working with kids) or school OT. I presented these options b/c they are ur most likely choices for jobs after OT school.
2. I can't say that I've felt OT's awareness to be growing, but logically as the baby boomers become older and require our therapy and autism rates continue to rise...I would assume that it should. The problem is OT is kinda pidgeon-holed into set fields...but, that's pretty much all jobs I suppose.
3. In hospital settings, I would say that in-patient (acute rehab) is often the most solo...(and lonely), while outpatient is generally considered the best mix of autonomy and supervision/guidance...I personally like outpatient rehab the most (even though I currently work SNF--i need the $$$)
4. I also have a problem with authority and generally that's also why I prefer outpatient...inpatient often interacts w/ everybody on the medical team( nurses, doctors, etc) and they're always walking in on ur sessions and interrupting. Outpatient generally has more of an interdisciplinary/team feeling where mutual support is more the norm (but this depends on the hospital)...lotsa drama queens in hospitals...so beware.

Well, my supervisor is looking for me so I gotta run.

I think that one can be naive when considering a career change, thinking that your new career is going to be a fairytale. The truth is that all professions get boring and monotone after sometime. Do you think that an accountant or a computer programmer doesn't have this dilemma? I find that there is a lot of flexibility in OT as if you want to make a lot of money, you can work per diem, home care, etc and work 60 hours a week if you want and make a very descent living. If you get burned out and are tired, try working for the Board of Education where the hours are good, you get all school days off, spring break, christmas, etc, not to mention summers oFF! YOu work for 1 1/2 if you want to work in the summer. Otherwise, take off and become a school aged explorer again. I don't see what the complaints are about! Is there a perfect job out there that has no negatives at all? I see the janitor in my building every morning and he gives me a smile and I smile back.

Thank you all for the responses. It seems that OT is very limited in specialization and it seems most of the jobs are either in mental health or geriatrics. What attracts me to PA is because they can switch to any concentration they want but then again, OT attracts me because I can actually form a better relationship with the patient.

OT dude, it's true what you say that not every job is a fairytale but I feel that if we go into a job thinking that it wouldn't be appealing kind of defeats the purpose in the time and passion that has been devoted in pursuing the career. I know realistically, every job gets repetitive and mundane after some time but I'd like to think that being able to meet new people and help them for the better hopefully can override the job being boring. Even though there are a lot of jobs that 'help' people, certain jobs just aren't for certain people. So, I'm just being cautious and hopefully I'll find me niche. Or, maybe I'm just being naive.

And the part on being disrespected by other professions, it's expected. Everyone in the healthcare field takes a lot of crap from each other and I've been volunteering in the hosptial long enough to know that a whole lot of gossip goes around. But I really think it's a way to destress themselves due to their hectic tasks.

Anyway, I think if I were to go into the OT field, I would like to work with chidren. Are there are a lot of positions for that? And to Shannon, can you elaborate why SNF work is "boring and not very fulfilling or challenging"? Are all the OT specializations like that? Does anyone know if any PA's do any type of 'therapy' related work?

Maybe it's because I had bad experience with doctors but I'm afraid that if I were to be a PA, I'd be forced to see a patient for a few minute, prescribe them some drugs and tell them to go. I really would like to get to know my patients but I don't know if PA's can do that when they have to see so many patients in 1 day.

I am currently trying to go to grad school for OT. Although, I am not in the profession I feel that I have a pretty good idea what it is like to be an OT. I have a child with special needs so I have experience with OTs and what they do on a daily basis.

First, there are lots of job options for an OT. I am interested in the pediatric side so I can tell you what jobs are out there for pediatric OTs. You can work in a hospital, school, center base program, local regional center.

As a contractor through regional center you would be your own boss and make up your own hours. The down fall is no medical insurance and lots of driving. The plus is the flexibility and pay. You can also, do evaluations for children requesting OT services. I believe its around $150 and up for the visit and the report. This would not be good choice for someone just graduating because you need to be creative and experienced to work on your own. I have heard the pay for the school district is the best. However, it is every stressful because there are lots of politics involved in the services you recommend (this coming from a parents perspective). But the pay is good and you get all the school holidays off. I have been told that you should be an experienced OT before working with the school district.

A center base program is also a good option. I heard the pay is not great, but it is similar to a school setting and you work closely with other therapist, such as speech and PTs. Working for a private outpatient center is apparently the worst. They work you hard because you see clients back to back. I heard the pay is not great and there is not always enough time to do the daily notes.

Hope that helps. As an OT you can focus you specialty as a hand OT (pay is suppose to be the best), sensory integration, swallowing, and many more.

I like OT because you have to creative because not every kid will respond the same way. I think this job will be great for because you have an art major. My daughters OT says he likes his job because he gets to use his creative side and his friends agree, that's why they are trying to be OTs themselves.

Your best bet is to find a local program or hospital and work with an OT to see if this is what you really want to do. Don't you need volunteer hours in order to apply for a school?

As far as respect in this occupation, I don't believe OTs get as much respect as PTs. The reason is because people have no idea what a OT does. I believe that PTs also get better pay. I personally had no idea what an OT was until my daughter started getting OT services.

Just something to think about: OT therapists are reported to be one of the highest ranking for most satisfied with their job. Not sure where the study came from, but I have been told that by other OTs. Also, you can do geriatrics and switch and do pediatrics (I know a few therapist you have done so). What other job would let you do that?

Lastly, although the field mainly deals with people with disabilities the people you deal with can also have a temporary disability, such as a fall that requires therapy in order to gain back skills that have been lost.

Hello. I've decided to change careers and become an OT. My question is concerning which graduate program to go to. I've been accepted to 4 different progams...2 are very prestigious but pricey and 2 are less prestigious and less pricey. Should I go with the most prestigious program or the cheapest one? Will it matter down the road when I'm looking for jobs?

First off, the reason PTs are more known is that it's pretty straightforward what they do. OT can be so varied, that sometimes it's a little unclear (even to OTs =P ). BTW, PTs do not get paid more. If anything PTs and OTs get paid identically (with variances DOE and certifications of course).

As far as OTs making $150 for evals...that's only if the OT is his/her own boss. That's what's billed, but that's not what gets to the OT. Most pediatric OTs, who are employed through a private clinic, are unfortunately paid way too little. School-based OTs are paid pretty well--but I've heard that they have to take a lot of work home.

Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm struggling with the decision between OT and education...going back for a second career. Mainly looking for the flexibility with family and they both offer so much.

I forgot about OT in the schools which would offer the time off when the kids are off.

I also wanted to share my observation experience. I had an opportunity to observe in a spinal cord injury setting and while I found the patients interesting it was depressing too. Outpatient seemed to be a lot of shoulder injuries depending on the clinic, but I also had an opportunity to observe active duty soldiers returning from the war. Their rehabilitation was very diverse because OT/PT/Speech were all working together in the same clinic. The one thing I noticed with the soldiers was their desire to get better(most of them).

Good Luck to everyone!

May in Demarest, New Jersey said:
I would just like to know the opinions of OTs in their field. Please tell me not only the good aspects of the job but also the bad aspects. For example, does lifting people pose as a problem? Do OTs clean up diapers all the time like nurses? Is it worth all the stress of schooling? I would really prefer some personal details on this. Thank you for your help.

The best thing about being an OT is the freedom of creativity in treatment options. You can take just about anything and use it ti facilitate some kind of function. The worst thing is the possibility of injury on the job.

Lifting is a learned skill and art - you need to be properly trained and practice, practice, practice. I have been an OT for nearly 10 years and feel that I am just now really getting to where I could transfer just about anybody.

Cleaning diapers is not necessarily part of the job - BUT it is part of toilet training sometimes, and you cannot always rely on someone else to do it for you. If you were the patient, you would want someone to help you get clean as soon as possible, wouldn't you?

<a href="hubpages.com/_blogpost/hub/Occupational-Therapy---career-and-way-of-life">Occupational Therapy - education and career</a>

Initially I was answering the first questions on the original post, but now that I have read this thread I am somewhat shocked by some of the earlier responses. If OT is mundane or boring, change careers. It's a career that requires interpersonal interaction - I cannot imagine my patients thinking I am bored with them, as I find each one of them to be individuals with varying facets of interest. Creativity is the key. You have to have a passionate heart for people, a great deal of patience, and a very open mind to be an OT. It's a heroic career, and I would not trade it for anything.

There are myriads of places and ways to be an OT - again, you must open your mind. You could open a white water rafting clinic for the disabled. You could get involved with hippotherapy. You could do anything with any diagnostic or age population you like, anywhere you like. The world is yours to build.

hubpages.com/_blogpost/hub/Occupational-Therapy---career-and-way-of-life

hubpages.com/_blogpost/hub/Occupational-Therapy---career-and-way-of-life

I agree that OT can be very open and flexible but sometimes we need a reality check. A career choice in OT is only good if it works for you and your pts. Now sure about other people here but I need to pay bills. (I'm not sure if I could pay my mortgage on white-water rafting lessons in NJ. So I would have to sell my house, relocate and start my business there.) In this day and age, I have come to realize that it's not uncommon to change a career every 10-12 years. To answer the original question....Best: working with people Worst: explaining what we do or justifying what we do! I hate when patients only want to walk. Sometimes I feel like saying ok, lets walk to the toilet....Then what are you gonna do??? You can't pull down your pants, wipe your butt or stand up now. Hold on, let me get your PT to do it for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May in Demarest, New Jersey said: Hi everyone. I'm a junior in college right now thinking about OT. At first, I wanted to be a PA but I concluded that it wasn't for me and I think OT is more suited because you seem to connect to the patients more and that's what I want. I've taken all my prereqs for PA and now considering OT, I need to take more classes for prereqs but I don't have time next year to do that because I can't choose my classes next year because as health science major in my university, we have to take required classes. So I might have to stay an extra year in school.

But anyway, my problem is, I can't find much information about OT and if I do, they all say the same thing.

I would just like to know the opinions of OTs in their field. Please tell me not only the good aspects of the job but also the bad aspects. For example, does lifting people pose as a problem? Do OTs clean up diapers all the time like nurses? Is it worth all the stress of schooling? I would really prefer some personal details on this. Thank you for your help.

I just returned from our National Occupational Therapy Conference in Long Beach, CA. I have been an OT for about a quarter of a century . . . that's a lot of years. OT is what I do for a living . . that is why they call it work. All in all it's a great profession. OT's a great people. OT's core values are what it is all about. The field is as expansive as you want to make it. We promote "Living Life to the Fullest" which is as our AOTA president described the focus of our profession. Figuring out what to do when you "grow up" is a hard thing, the possibilities are endless.
As so are the possibilities in OT. OT's work in any age group, in sickness and in health, in a place with walls or without, making a lot of money or a little money; whatever you choose!

Tammie,

I too was at the conference this weekend, but could you give me some examples of OTs working with individuals who are not ill or disabled? Please provide websites, links, etc. I'm really interested in working in unconventional practice arenas and I'd like some inspiration. Please do not list the well-elderly study. Thank you!

I saw a variety of program models. OT's were working with preschoolers in a headstart type program using gardening. OT's working with the corrections/prison population, at various levels of security, applying MOHO, other theoretical models. OT's working as Life Advisors in wellness settings. Settings to address low vision, diabetes, and falls prevention with elderly or those at risk. OT's working with at risk adolescent programs. OT's working in other countries with people affected by civil wars, both disabled and ablebodied. Apparently you are familiar with the "Well Elderly Study", the use of occupation and occupational science concepts and theory can be applied to so many groups of people who are not "Living Life to the Fullest!" OT's have a huge repetoire of knowledge, skills, and tools to use to facilitate change. Unfortunately policy and reiumbursement often drive where the bulk of OT's work, which do not always have the greatest outcomes, or best utilization of resources. Good luck!

Hi. I'm seriously considering changing careers from the finance world to OT. I'm particularly interested in Sigal from Chicago's question regarding OT programs. Any insight it greatly appreciated. Thank you so much - this message board is extremely helpful.

From Sigal:

Hello. I've decided to change careers and become an OT. My question is concerning which graduate program to go to. I've been accepted to 4 different progams...2 are very prestigious but pricey and 2 are less prestigious and less pricey. Should I go with the most prestigious program or the cheapest one? Will it matter down the road when I'm looking for jobs?

Go for cheapest. And make sure they are accreditted. Taking out mega loans can really set you back and alter your lifestyle. Financial stress could make you hate your career change when you are just starting out in it. Personally, I son't think it really matters where you graduated from as long as you are certified and have a license. We are in such a demand, most employers are just happy to get a resume come in...who cares if you went to prestigious? Who cares if you just passed the exam by 1 point? If you can work, and there is an opening....you're hired. (in this market)

I'm interested in changing careers from an art teacher to an OT. I'm looking at a program that would take 2.5 years to graduate from (full time). The last year of the program is clinical fieldwork. Does anyone know if this fieldwork could be paid? Thanks!

You should contact the OT department and ask them what their fieldwork includes. The program I am looking into is a two year 6semester program and the last two semesters are fieldwork. Fieldwork is an unpaid position. It's basically about 7 months give or take a few weeks.

i think im going to apply to only csudh.. usc is so expensive!

Have you checked with USC OT about available scholarships?

OTdude in Somerset, New Jersey said: Go for cheapest. And make sure they are accreditted. Taking out mega loans can really set you back and alter your lifestyle. Financial stress could make you hate your career change when you are just starting out in it. Personally, I son't think it really matters where you graduated from as long as you are certified and have a license. We are in such a demand, most employers are just happy to get a resume come in...who cares if you went to prestigious? Who cares if you just passed the exam by 1 point? If you can work, and there is an opening....you're hired. (in this market)

See, I have trouble with the whole politics of choosing a school. I hear half of the people I talk to say that it doesn't matter where you go to school because OT is so specialized and programs are so scattered, and OTs are in high demand. The other half say that where you go to school does matter and although I may not have a problem finding a job, I may not get the opportunities of an OT that graduated from say, Boston or USC? Any OTs here have any insight to this? Thanks!

Melissa Moss in Madison, Wisconsin said: Thanks for asking that, I have similar questions. I was in manual therapies before but reached some dead ends there. So I want to learn more therapies in a stable profession. I have been looking into OT, the problem is, the only jobs I can ever find advertised are for Skilled Nursing facilities like nursing homes. I know for sure that this would bore me to death, as I hate nursing homes. Another thing is I don't think I would be very interested in adaptive devices as a primary focus of my energy with patients. I don't know if I would only want to work with people with disablities. With these two things in mind, am I getting this picture correct or am I way off base in regards to what is involved with this profession?

O.T. is definitely not for you. A big part of what we do is adapt the patient's environment so that they can continue to live independently with the use of assistive devices. All of my patient's have a disability, that's why we see them. If they didn't have a disability they wouldn't need O.T. Good luck with your search at finding the perfect major.

I normally wouldn't post on a blog like this, but i stumbled upon it and thought, why not :) As for choosing a program - that depends on your perspective. having gone to a top university, i can attest to the value of such a program - incredible opportunities, cutting edge research, learning from professors who have revolutionized the field, etc. etc. My program also taught me a great deal about non-phys dis OT. OT is not strictly medical - occupational therapists (ideally) help all types of occupational disruption resulting from all kinds of situations. For example, OT's can work in prison systems to help inmates acquire the skills they will need upon release. And in response to several others, I find OT to be an extremely broad field, with tremendous opportunities for new and exciting work. My advice is to shadow a few therapists and see how you feel (but be sure to try a variety of settings...not every therapist is an accurate portrayal of the OT you could be!) Good luck!

I'm a new OT grad and interested in starting out my career in peds, but at the same time feel that my physical disabilities education would be wasted. What do you all think of this? Do you know anyone who changed their mind later on, and easily transitioned easily from peds to physical disabilities?

For those of you interested in becoming OTs, I DEFINITELY agree that this field is extremely broad, and you can find or make a niche. OTs work in peds, mental health, and physical disabilities; within those three domains, there are a variety of different opportunities. For example, in peds you could work in inpatient, a preschool, elementary school, private clinic, or do homecare. In mental health, you could work in an inpatient lock-down unit, day treatment program (a variety of types), or other community treatment center. In physical disabilities, you could work in inpatient acute, subacute, outpatient, hands, sports clinic, skilled nursing facility, and homecare. As for the less conventional niche areas, there are people who treat animals, do hippotherapy with children, treat in third world countries, and create adaptive equipment for specialized populations. This field is fun!

As for schools, I've heard opinions on both ends. Don't assume the more expensive schools are better- I'm sure you could find a state school that provides an excellent education. Just make sure the school is accredited.

Yes, I agree that PT is more known than OT. PT is very straightforward- they do exactly what their job title states: provide therapy for people with strength, endurance, range of motion, sensation, muskoloskeletal issues. Because OT has a mental health, functional, and environmental component to it, in addition to the physical, it's hard to explain without sounding too broad. But...because OT is so needed, you will never be out of a job. If you check out the Department of Occupations, you will see that OT need is expected to increase greatly by 2012.

I am a junior at a university in Michigan. Minor in psychology and going for a minor in Spanish. Considering a minor in Chinese. Would these minors increase my chances of getting hired? & If so, would the pay be higher than an OT without these language minors? Would these minors only help in parts of the U.S. where these languages are spoken? I have no clue! Thank you all for the help*

The more languages you know the easier it will be for you to communicate with clients who may only speak chinese or spanish. I would say the spanish would definitely be useful. I have run into several patients who only speak spanish, and getting an interpreter is sometimes impossible to do. As for the chinese it might be useful someday, but I've been an O.T. for thirteen years and I have yet to run into anyone who speaks Chinese, and doesn't know english. In some areas this would make your more marketable if you were bilingual, especially if there is a large hispanic population or chinese population in the area you want to work in. However when I worked in small town in the Midwest there was little to no cultural diversity and knowing spanish would not have been an asset, since for the most part the patient population all spoke english. I would say look at the patient population where you might like to work and see if there is a need for a bilingual O.T. I would say you probably aren't going to get anymore money because you have a minor in another language. If I was looking too hire you to work in my department I would be more interested in your skills as an O.T. and experience rather than what languages your speak, as long as you spoke fluent english. Years of experience tends to get you more money as an O.T. rather than being bilingual.

In NYC, your langauge skills would be a HUGE asset. In terms of hire-ability (great word!), the employer will look first at your clinical skills and work experience, and your language skills secondarily. I know in homecare pediatrics and some center-based preschools, fluent Spanish speakers can get paid up to 10k more than those who don't speak Spanish- this is because fluency is so rare. I don't know if a hospital would pay you more if you are fluent, as they have interpreters/translators.

Wow okay! Both replies make a lot of sense! Thank you all for the good advice and information!

I wanted to make a career move towards occupational therapy assistant. I am currently looking into a school in metro Atlanta that offers the program. I am not sure about the pay for a first year occupational therapist assistant.

I've been totally on the fence between PT/OT for the past couple of months. I'm trying to decide by the end of this summer, to know what last couple of prerequisite courses to take before applying to grad schools later this year.

When I'm being honest with myself, I think that my abilities and personality are best suited for OT. However, what I seem to come across again and again is the notion that if you want to come out of grad school and make at least $60k/year (in most states, not places with unusually higher salaries like California, etc.), you pretty much have to go into a rehab nursing facility setting. I don't mind having to help people with toiletting on rare occasion, but I don't think I could handle doing it multiple times a day pretty much every day.

But since this supposedly is what I'd need to be willing to do to support my family upon graduation, it's making me second-guess OT, and consider PT (which I don't think I'd be as gifted at, but could still certainly offer something). The need for balancing stability (salary) with sanity (not spending a bunch of time juggling a patient in a bathroom, while we'd both rather be anywhere else in the world) has kept me second-guessing OT for the past year.

Could I make a $60 k+ salary upon graduation but not get bogged down by daily toiletings and that kind of thing? I understand the need for it as a functional component of therapy, but I frankly am more interested in cognitive rehabilitation, as well as strengthening and increasing coordination among the upper extremities.

Thanks for your advice.

I'd say go for PT. If I could go back in time, I would have been a PT. I feel it fits my personality more so now than when I was a doe-eyed undergrad student wondering what to become. Now after working 9 yrs as an OTR, I would rather be a PT at this point in my career. I feel PT is respected more and does not give as much of a sense of "glorified CNA" feeling as opposed to an OTR in a SNF. Just my $.02.

Hi,
I have been an OT for 6 years and I am 44 yrs old. I have been working in
an acute care setting. It is true you have
to explain the difference between OT vs PT. There is the
respect issues where it seems a PT eval is more important to
than OTs for placing the patient. (This from case managers)
I transfer patients from bed to chair, ambulate them and
do adls. I dont feel that transferring is an issue as long
as you know proper transfer techniques. I can sometimes convince a patient to do more with me than with a PT. I am not constantly changing diapers or wiping bottoms unless necessary for training or if I am working with them anyways and it needs to be addressed. If I come in the room and they are soiled I will tell the nursing tech and have them come and change them.
I like what I do and I work with a wide variety of different
patients and that is what helps working in this setting to keep it from becoming boring. It is usually fast paced and my day goes by quickly. There can be stressful days where everyone seems to be demanding something from you but it was still worthwhile for me. Depending on the hospital that you can work at some allow cross training in Outpatient so you can learn other skills. I also was interested in wound care at one hospital I worked at and they were willing to train me for UE wounds. So there is an opportunity to expand your knowledge if you search and ask questions and find the right
setting for you.
Also remember that where ever you start out at does not have
to be permanent. Usually with experience there is better wages.
I have switched jobs 3 times and each time with increased
salary. I was at my last job for 4 years.

Sandra,

Thanks for your input. really helps to put things into perspective.
I am 35 and have been in my curent position as a Nutrition Specialist for 8 years. With a Masters, I am barely making $40K. I am thinking about switching to OT but I have been so discouraged by some of the things I have read in regards to what OTs do especially in SNFs. I am also really disappointed by the low starting pay for OTs. I understand it is between 40-50K in the mid west. By the time I graduate, I will have accumulated $70,000 in student loans, which will cost me about $600 a month in rapayment for a long time may be 20-30 years. When I calculate it this way, I might end up retiring without having cleared the student loan. Also, the slight pay increase I get from switching to OT will be eaten up by the student loan so I might not end up ahead at the end of it all.

I will also have to forgo my salary for two years, which is about another $80,000 loss.

Do you think it is worth accummulating this much loan at my age for a career that won't pay much either? I am at a cross road right now and need to make a decision.

Hi OTguru,
I am still paying off my student loans as well. I have a
supportive husband when I started to think about going into
the OT career and so was on one(hubby's) income with 3 kids while I
was in school. I was able to apply for Pell grant for some of
my loans so that helped with some expenses. I cant answer for
you whether you should start this path or not because it is
a personal decision and I did start at around 40,000 for a New
Grad.
From my experience, alot of therapists leave their
1st job after a year or so and usually have a pretty good pay
increase. I never opted for working in SNF because it was never something that I would consider but there are rehabs that are just for acute rehab patients and subacute patients that are not like the nursing homes that have satisfied therapists working there. IE: Kernan or Good Samaritian.
The only way you can find out if you like something is to try
it. I knew I wanted to be in OT because it is so varied and I
did 3 internships with one in Burn care that made me realize that acute hospital is what I like.
P.S. I get called from recruiters all the time to work at
various facilities and also remember that if you work PRN
after you are experienced you can make a range from 45.00 and up dependent on the facility if you need extra cash.

hi,
Are you licensed OT in NY? Can work in Bronx? You can e-mail me at Priyarana.us@gmail.com. I might be able to provide you a good job.

Thanks,
Priya Rana