Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Please tell me how do you become an information security analysist? Does it require an advanced degree? If I stay in this field any longer I will surely lose my mind. Right now I am dreading going to work and having to dress, change diapers, feed, and exercise people. I am actually crying over this. It is so degrading. I am really much older than most people in this field so I cannot go back to school, as I have already invested so much time and money in this. Oh well... can't go back in time but wish someone had warned me.

lynn in Alexandria, Virginia said: Please tell me how do you become an information security analysist? Does it require an advanced degree? If I stay in this field any longer I will surely lose my mind. Right now I am dreading going to work and having to dress, change diapers, feed, and exercise people. I am actually crying over this. It is so degrading. I am really much older than most people in this field so I cannot go back to school, as I have already invested so much time and money in this. Oh well... can't go back in time but wish someone had warned me.

Information security professionals may hold a variety of certifications and degrees, but the most popular in recent years is the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), which you earn by passing a rigorous six-hour exam offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium at 1.866.462.4777 While information security is above average in earnings it is also very competitive and demanding with a very high unemployment rate. Being a COTA is a lot less competitive and unemployed COTA's are nonexistent.

Jerry in Tuscaloosa, Alabama said: Information security professionals may hold a variety of certifications and degrees, but the most popular in recent years is the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), which you earn by passing a rigorous six-hour exam offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium at 1.866.462.4777 While information security is above average in earnings it is also very competitive and demanding with a very high unemployment rate. Being a COTA is a lot less competitive and unemployed COTA's are nonexistent.

Actually, the job market for Information Security Analyst is wide open. I know, because this is what my husband does for a living. He gets job offers all the time ,in fact, he had seventeen job offers three months before he graduated. It just depends on where you live and willingness to relocate. However, you have to have at least a two year degree to get your foot in the door.

lynn, My husband use to be a PTA and was burned out like you so he went back to school and now he looks forward to work every morning. I am still working as a COTA like you, but I only work a few hours a day as there is no way I could do this job full-time.

Shannon J in Greenville, North Carolina said: I thank you for your reply but it would be nice to hear some optimism. This forum has become a garbage can for people that seem down-in-the mouth about OT. It is disheartening especially for me--just starting out and wanting to do so much. I understand your stance and respect it. However, I have also spoken with and know several other healthcare professionals and I think it would be prudent to tell people that Medicare is not just targeting OT, PT, or SLP. Nursing is also under a productivity requirement now. So the PPS system will affect anyone directly involved in the healthcare field and unfortunately those that suffer the most aren't the providers of the care but the patients. I would hope that even through frustration with the system that patients are still given the care and respect they deserve. Thanks again for your insight.

I agree with you, Shannon-this board has become a garbage can for COTA's who do not like what they do for a living. So do everybody a favor and try something else but do not think you are doing everybody a great service by telling us that the field stinks. It may stink for you but for us, we need to find out for ourselves if it is a happy marriage. When you wed someone, you never know how it works out either.

Michael in Albuquerque, New Mexico said: I agree with you, Shannon-this board has become a garbage can for COTA's who do not like what they do for a living. So do everybody a favor and try something else but do not think you are doing everybody a great service by telling us that the field stinks. It may stink for you but for us, we need to find out for ourselves if it is a happy marriage. When you wed someone, you never know how it works out either.

I bet your the kind of person who jumps into things before you check them out, or talk about things you obviously know nothing about. Not much into research are you. Go ahead become a COTA and pay the ridiculous costs and fee for taking the NBCOT exam, Licensure, and CEUs. Also, comparing Marriage to the OT is like comparing pears to apples... not even close.

Thanks Michael. It is nice to know that there are OT professionals out there that do actually enjoy their job or at least look forward to beginning a new career.

Terry: Do you really need to answer Michael with such nastiness rather than accept that he looks forward to his career? Why can't others on this forum have some sense of decorum rather than express such pessimism and negativity? You may think your cup is half empty but I would much rather think of it as half full.

This forum has become a graveyard for the burnouts and has-beens and is nothing more than decay for those of us that would rather accept a field that has tremendous benefits and possibilities.

I would much rather have a sunny disposition when I begin my work day than to think that I am miserable and rotting inside from the ugliness. Get a new job and allow the "newbies" bring a positive outlook on the field rather than trashing it, which must carryover to your patients---I can't see how it wouldn't.

Don't bother responding--I won't be frequenting this forum again.

Just like Michael you obviously know nothing about the field of OT. Maybe your the one who shouldn't answer people with senseless garbage in which you know nothing about my little wannabe. You just don't want to accept the true from people who have obviously been there, done that. Like I said before, go be a COTA who cares... Nobody's stopping you.

I was in an OTA program with a girl, who like Shannon, got upset with people who knocked down the field of OT/PT. She use to ware badges on her clothes that supported and promoted OT. She looked like a walking billboard. However, after her first fieldwork assignment she had nothing but bad things to say and stated "It's not what I thought it was going to be". We never saw her again after that semester. As the old saying goes "Be careful what you say as it might turn around and bite you in the tail".

Terry in North Carolina said: Just like Michael you obviously know nothing about the field of OT. Maybe your the one who shouldn't answer people with senseless garbage in which you know nothing about my little wannabe. You just don't want to accept the true from people who have obviously been there, done that. Like I said before, go be a COTA who cares... Nobody's stopping you.

I agree... it's amazing how wannabes feel they know more than those of us who have actually worked in this field for a while. I would never tell someone with experience in a certain field that they are burnt out... I would rather listen closely to what they and others had to say and then use my own good judgment to make a final decision on a career move. Kind of like putting the cart before the horse.

What I don't understand is those fanatical O.T.'s who think this is a religion and get upset when anyone just tells the truth about how awful the field is. If someone tells the truth about what they experience why would it be upsetting. I wish someone had warned me and I had never heard of this profession.

Good money and lots of jobs for COTA's in California. $30+ per hour with benefits and personal time off. Recruiters calling constantly.

Kathleen in San Diego, California said: Good money and lots of jobs for COTA's in California. $30+ per hour with benefits and personal time off. Recruiters calling constantly.

Yah, and you will pay on average of $1500.00 a month for rent and deal with all the non-English speaking patients. I lived there for two years and that was enough for me.

Non-English speaking patients? What's the problem with that? Because patients do not speak English-that is a problem to help them? I guess you have just have to speak English to be treated or else you are just out of luck. Maybe COTA's have to learn cultural sensitivity (or even ex-COTA's) 1500. on the average to live in San Diego? Yes, sure, it is expensive but so much more is NYC, Boston, etc. but for that weather it is worth it.

Shannon J in Greenville, North Carolina said: Thanks Michael. It is nice to know that there are OT professionals out there that do actually enjoy their job or at least look forward to beginning a new career.

Terry: Do you really need to answer Michael with such nastiness rather than accept that he looks forward to his career? Why can't others on this forum have some sense of decorum rather than express such pessimism and negativity? You may think your cup is half empty but I would much rather think of it as half full.

This forum has become a graveyard for the burnouts and has-beens and is nothing more than decay for those of us that would rather accept a field that has tremendous benefits and possibilities.

I would much rather have a sunny disposition when I begin my work day than to think that I am miserable and rotting inside from the ugliness. Get a new job and allow the "newbies" bring a positive outlook on the field rather than trashing it, which must carryover to your patients---I can't see how it wouldn't.

Don't bother responding--I won't be frequenting this forum again.

Thanks for your support, Kathleen.

Since there are dozens of different language spoken in the USA, I guess that means COTAs and other health care professionals must learn them all. It would take you forever to learn all of them. Also whats wrong with them learning English? This is America and people should learn English.I never said because people don't speak English they should not be treated... so don't accuse people of things they never said.

More like this form has become a site for wannabe COTAs who, obviously like Michael, have no idea what they are talking about. If a patient speaks another language and something happens to that patient your license could be in jeopardy. OT school is long enough and having to stay in school to learn all the different languages spoken in this country would be insane.

While all of those "experienced" COTA's on this forum may by telling the truth about "the minutes" game, they are forgetting that there are many patients that benefit from our treatments and are very thankful for what we do. I have seen patients that the doctors have given up on make a 360 turn around and only as a direct result of my profession. I always try to focus on the positives even when faced with certain defeat. I have been a COTA for many years and I still love going to work every single day. I am a traveler and it does give me a lot more freedom to do only what I feel is right without the fear of losing my job. Do not be afraid of management. Stand up for what you believe in but make sure that the patient remains your primary beneficiary.

Sam-you are the man:)

Sam I am in Tuscaloosa, Alabama said: While all of those "experienced" COTA's on this forum may by telling the truth about "the minutes" game, they are forgetting that there are many patients that benefit from our treatments and are very thankful for what we do. I have seen patients that the doctors have given up on make a 360 turn around and only as a direct result of my profession. I always try to focus on the positives even when faced with certain defeat. I have been a COTA for many years and I still love going to work every single day. I am a traveler and it does give me a lot more freedom to do only what I feel is right without the fear of losing my job. Do not be afraid of management. Stand up for what you believe in but make sure that the patient remains your primary beneficiary.

If Doctor's have given up on them then they usually discharge the patient from therapy services. Your not treating patients without therapy orders are you?... giving free services? Patients are our primary focus, but not our beneficiary. People who went against the system is what put us here in the first place. Some patients do better then others and there's always that exceptional patient that surprises everyone... lets be realistic.

I was talking to a recruiter this week about some positions she had available for a COTA. The facilities sounded nice with a very supportive staff. However, they have a team productivity requirement of 90%. This means that if the OTR I am working under is only 60% productive, then I must be be 120% productive. I would also have to travel between two facilities everyday. They have a hugh Kaiser contract which means they get paid a set amount no matter how many minutes they treat their patients. Because of this, they do what they call dove-tailing or concurrent treatments. This is not about good patient care, it is about making rich investors richer. As you guessed, I turned down the job.

If you think that's bad I just found out today that the company I work for will be cuting back on the amount of staff taking holiday leave. I recieved this Memorandom today "Due to the staffing shortages that are industry-wide, we have no choice but to limit time off for the Holidays". COTAs and OTRs are few and far between here in Utah making mine and other therapists caseloads unmanageable most of the time. I had two friends who were COTAs but they have sense left the field for better working conditions. My family lives in Colorado so I may not be able to see them this year. This really s@#ks.

Donna in Utah said: If you think that's bad I just found out today that the company I work for will be cuting back on the amount of staff taking holiday leave. I recieved this Memorandom today "Due to the staffing shortages that are industry-wide, we have no choice but to limit time off for the Holidays". COTAs and OTRs are few and far between here in Utah making mine and other therapists caseloads unmanageable most of the time. I had two friends who were COTAs but they have sense left the field for better working conditions. My family lives in Colorado so I may not be able to see them this year. This really s@#ks.

I know how you feel Donna. The need for COTAs is growing but there are few getting into the field. The only OTA program in my area closed it's doors three years ago as the interest declined dramatically after PPS. It's only me and one other OTR that shares a caseload of 27 patients right now. This is starting to turn into major burnout for me and my OTR.

COTAGirl said: I was talking to a recruiter this week about some positions she had available for a COTA. The facilities sounded nice with a very supportive staff. However, they have a team productivity requirement of 90%. This means that if the OTR I am working under is only 60% productive, then I must be be 120% productive. I would also have to travel between two facilities everyday. They have a hugh Kaiser contract which means they get paid a set amount no matter how many minutes they treat their patients. Because of this, they do what they call dove-tailing or concurrent treatments. This is not about good patient care, it is about making rich investors richer. As you guessed, I turned down the job.

Sadly, this is getting to be standard in this industry and will probably only get worse. I use to work for a ONR-INC a few years back and they have a high turnover in OTA/PTAs. Most Assistants who interviewed there never came back. There is only one accredited OTA program left in the state of Idaho and from what I unsedstand, theres not much interest. Luckily, my family lives here so I don't have to worry about seeing them due to shortages in staff over the holidays. Vacations on the other hand, can be a PITA to get.

Oops, that should be understand. The hand works faster then the brain sometimes.

Take a look here. www.aota.org/Students/Schools/EntryLevelOTA/40561.aspx#ar
I graduated from a community college in Colorado about nine years ago. As of today this school no longer has an OTA program. There is only one accredited program left in Colorado compared to ten years ago when there were six. I have a feeling it will only get worse.

I have to agree with you on that Debbie. I was a COTA for twelve years before PPS came along and ruined it. I just graduated with an associates degree in Crime Scene Investigations
and will start my first job on Monday. If you search Indeed.com, you find hundreds of jobs for CSI. Average pay is between 50K to 100K depending on experience. My internship was so much fun, that I could not wait to graduate and get my hands dirty.

Terry in North Carolina said: I bet your the kind of person who jumps into things before you check them out, or talk about things you obviously know nothing about. Not much into research are you. Go ahead become a COTA and pay the ridiculous costs and fee for taking the NBCOT exam, Licensure, and CEUs. Also, comparing Marriage to the OT is like comparing pears to apples... not even close.

How much are the fees for taking the NBCOT exam? How difficult is the NBCOT exam? What do you pay for continuing education. I've talked to several OTRs and COTAs and they say
it is becoming expensive.

Keri in Nebraska said: How much are the fees for taking the NBCOT exam? How difficult is the NBCOT exam? What do you pay for continuing education. I've talked to several OTRs and COTAs and they say
it is becoming expensive.

Initial exam fee is $525.00. Rumor has it the NBCOT is going to raise it to $800.00 by 2008. The test is not easy, but they have a study guide that you can buy. I've been told by several OTRs who use to be COTAs, that the COTA exam is more difficult then the OTR. Nurses here in Florida only pay $75.00 to take the Nursing exam.

I have been doing research and the job market for cota's are great!!! WHY IS EVRYONE ON THIS WEBSITE SITE SO DISGRUNTLED AND NON-SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS CAREER?????

smiley411 in Bronx, New York said: I have been doing research and the job market for cota's are great!!! WHY IS EVRYONE ON THIS WEBSITE SITE SO DISGRUNTLED AND NON-SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS CAREER?????

UMM... Did you not read everything all these people are saying that is wrong with this career? Just warning people that it is not all it is cracked up to be unless you really love having a downright depressing career for the most part. And people are stating that more money can be earned in a more enjoyable manor. But if you choose to ignore this information like I did then you deserve what you get.

Ben in Daytona Beach, CA said: Initial exam fee is $525.00. Rumor has it the NBCOT is going to raise it to $800.00 by 2008. The test is not easy, but they have a study guide that you can buy. I've been told by several OTRs who use to be COTAs, that the COTA exam is more difficult then the OTR. Nurses here in Florida only pay $75.00 to take the Nursing exam.

Thanks Ben... I've heard the NBCOT is going to raise it's fees again. Not sure if I could afford that. I've also checked out Nursing and there seems to a lot of turn-over like OT/PT. I work as a hospital volunteer so I get a lot of experience in many different areas. It seems many of the OT/PTs are a lot more satisfied then the Assistants. I just graduated from High School this year and I'm leaning more towards Radiology as a career. The pay is decent and there's a lot more job security then the other two fields.

I call OT/PT/SPL the Enron of Rehab... nothing but scandalous and fraudulent bureaucrats that use older people to make a buck. Shame on you all!!

Bonnie former COTA said: I call OT/PT/SPL the Enron of Rehab... nothing but scandalous and fraudulent bureaucrats that use older people to make a buck. Shame on you all!!

Actually Bonnie that is true, but I see it as worse than Enron in that OT/PT/SLP still has a reputation as helping people and most do not understand how it is a con game for the older people. If there is money to be made off of innocent, sick or poor people believe me unscrupulous people will find ways to get it out of them. And I consider so called "therapists" as unscrupulous as they come.

I am thinking of going into COTA, but some of the comments here about the lack of job availability and COTA being on the way out scare me. I am a single Parent. I would eventually like to go for an OTR but need to be working as soon as possible so though I could work as a COTA while pursuing this. My interest is in pedictrics. I have some experience through my own child. He is autistic. I would eventually like to work with children as a COTA/OTR in a healthcare setting or even through public schools. Am I crazy to consider this field. I don't care if I get rich but I do have to support a family. My heart is drawn to this profession because I do a lot of volunteer work with non-profits and have had my own child involved in OT therapy quite a bit. I have strong background in disability advocacy and special education. I am currently a medical transcriptionist and was enrolled previously in a nursing program but quickly found after the first system nursing was not for me.

Hey ECJ... I am not sure what the pay rate or job market is like in Michigan but here in California they are not the best. From my experience money was the least of my worries. The main reason I am leaving this field is due to poor job security, not knowing how many hours I am going to work (patient caseload always varies), and no chance of advancement as COTA unless I become an OTR. You can get your OTR which requires a Masters degree now (6 years), or you can go part-time; However, I have worked with several OTRs that have gone this route and it took them ten years... and that was for a bachelor's degree. From what I've been told by College counselor's, the best field for women who have children is Dental Hygiene. You can get an Associates degree and make around 50K a year part-time and work when and were you want. This is a hot field right now and will only get better. Hope this helps.

I work for a Registry and was talking to my Staffing Manager this morning and she was telling me that they pay LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) $34.00 and hour. You only need a certificate (9 months) to be an LVN or what I call a pill pusher. I only make $30.00 an hour and I needed an Associates degree (2.5 years). An RN with a two year degree makes anywhere from $40.00 to 48.00 an hour. What a rip off. Maybe it's time to make a career change.

Hey Shanna, I was wondering if you have heard the news about SNF and Hospital's here in California laying-off health care providers due to the new budget cuts. We had a facility meeting today and they are going to start laying-off nurses and therapists starting in September. There will be a 30% cut in health care reimbursement to all SNF and Hospitals. I am really worried as I have no other job skills and finding a job hear might prove to be difficult.

Yep... I heard it today from my Staffing Manager, that is one reason she called me. Kind of Scary huh.

Thanks Rick. Unfortunately dental hygienist aren't doing to well here. I think because the economy is so bad in this state with the auto companies doing poorly and plants closing - people don't have the money for dental work, Pretty sad. I heard alot of hygienist are having a hard time finding work here. I may bite the bullet and go back to nursing school. Those jobs are paid well and plentiful here.

In my area, 2 year RNs can start about 50,000 a year or more. I think it's about 28.00 for new grads but then there are shift differentials and sign on bonuses. That is one thing there is a lot of in MIchigan is nursing jobs. A lot of displaced auto workers trying to get into the field and the nursing school waitlists are majorly backlogged. Not enough instructors to push people through. I expect to be on nursing waitlist for at leatst 1-1/2 years. You can fill it with prerequistes. But I was also looking into other fields such as COTA since there is no guaranty on the waitlists. I believe nurses with Bachelors don't really make that much more (maybe a few dollar more per hour) but they can get into other types of work aside from bedside care such as superivorsy positions etc.

If you follow the market for every single profession-you will go nuts. I agree nursing is fantastic but do if because your heart is in it Not for the money. If you would not be happy being a nurse--why bother?

This is true. Money isn't everything. I was mentioning the salaries because someone else had mentioned how much nurses were making. I was concurring that they are paid well. But all the money in the world won't make you happy if you hate your work...

You do have follow the market.. not for "every single profression" but you do have to narrow it down to a couple you think you might like and be good at and do research into them, including salaries. That is part of the reason I came to this board. Because COTA seemed interesting. My has had some OT because of his autism through schools and privately. I have a friend in school for COTA right now. So just investigating. Nursing I know about because that was my previous major. Thanks for the information.

Cindi in California said: Hey Shanna, I was wondering if you have heard the news about SNF and Hospital's here in California laying-off health care providers due to the new budget cuts. We had a facility meeting today and they are going to start laying-off nurses and therapists starting in September. There will be a 30% cut in health care reimbursement to all SNF and Hospitals. I am really worried as I have no other job skills and finding a job hear might prove to be difficult.

This is getting to be the beast of the health care industry. Texas is thinking of doing the same thing to balance the poor budget here. Why do these worthless politicians have to play Russian roulette with our health care system. They are also going to cut educational programs and student loans. COTAs are like rare dinosaurs here and the job market is wide open. The problem is, is that
there are fewer OTA programs here and it will only get worse.

I have to agree with some of the people on here that have vented their frustrations on the amount of foreign therapists here in the USA. They are taking jobs that could be had by American OTs and COTAs. If we stopped this practice, I feel, the need for COTAs would skyrocket and so would the pay. I love my job but job security really worries me.

Just stay in your own country.

OK, once again I stand to correct myself. There are no more Accredited OTA programs in the state of Idaho... Man, there use to be three. I remember the days before PPS when the there were hundreds upon hundreds of OTA programs in the United States but it has really diminished in the last eight years.

The need for COTAs depends on where you live. There are more jobs everyday for COTAs but the interest in this field has drastically declined. Most companies would rather hire an OTR then a COTA even though COTAs are more cost effective. There are becoming fewer and fewer schools offering the OTA program as there is little interest from entering college students. I hate it when I call a Recruiter about a job I'm interested in. When they here I am a COTA the next thing they say is "I don't have anything right now, but oh, by they way, do you know of any OTR's looking for a job". How rude!

Debbie-but what about when you look on the AOTA site and see COTA programs in development or awaiting accreditation? Are they replacing schools that have gone out? We have lots of COTA jobs in New Mexico-come next door if you need a change-esp. Albuquerque!

Dave in Idaho said: OK, once again I stand to correct myself. There are no more Accredited OTA programs in the state of Idaho... Man, there use to be three. I remember the days before PPS when the there were hundreds upon hundreds of OTA programs in the United States but it has really diminished in the last eight years.

Maybe you are all growing potatoes:)just kidding!