Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

In NJ, I've heard of people starting at anywhere from $30 to $35/hr in SNF. I think we are on the high end in the North East.

COTA4kidz in Roselle, New Jersey said: In NJ, I've heard of people starting at anywhere from $30 to $35/hr in SNF. I think we are on the high end in the North East.

I am a new grad and work at a SNF in NJ. I started at $31.00/hour with an added payment each wee to help me pay off my student loans. This is definitely more than I was expecting.

Wow, 90% of the replies on here are people arguing instead of trying to be helpful by constructively addressing the original poster's question. Way to represent the medical field, guys.

Sam in Herrin, Illinois said: Wow, 90% of the replies on here are people arguing instead of trying to be helpful by constructively addressing the original poster's question. Way to represent the medical field, guys.

Okay, maybe 90% is a little harsh. But still, come on, guys.

Jose Sanchez in Akron, Ohio said: Actually that is incorrect when you say no one will hire you as both, as a matter of fact Michigan University is looking for a duel PTA/COTA to work w their pediatric population and they specifically say duel PTA/COTA prefferred, also home health is a way to go because you could save an employer quite a bit by seeing a patient for PT first or OT then the other and only costing the employer one drive time or mileage therefore a little negotiation is at hand.

I assume that a PT will be overseeing your delivery of PT and an OT will be overseeing your delivery of OT as required by lisence.

Erin in Scottsbluff, NE said: Are U an OTR or COTA? From my experience it's best to stay with a larger well known company and stay away from the smaller ones. It seems travel jobs are not as abundant for COTA's as they are for OTR's because OTR's can do evals and COTA's cannot. I only have one more week to go on this assignment and it will probably be my last. I have worked for Salus Solutions, Aedon Staffing, TravelMedUSA and they all could have cared less if I had a good experience or not. In fact, Aedon Staffing's idea of private housing was a small hotel room. I now work for Core Medical and so far they have been good to me. Comp Health Care is a good company, but they don't have a lot of jobs for COTA's... Core Medical Group is a good company but their jobs are very geographical specific if your an Assistant. Also be aware that more companies are hiring foreign trained therapists who will work most anywhere for the same amount of money as American therapist or assistant. Right now, I am thinking about going back to school to get my OTR, or just get into a different career all together.

Your best bet is to avoid Regional West altogether. This management here is all about the money, patient care places dead last here. There are good hospitals where you can find work, this is not one of them.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor, Part-time - Bates Technical College

I am a COTA/L working in NY. I have been a COTA for a year 1/2. I understand now how easy it is to get burned out in this field. But dont get me wrong I love my career! But I have noticed the creativity,excitement, and the rapport with rehab pt's vanishing at a fast pace. I work with the most uncaring and extremely boring OT's ever! I try to make my pt's experience a good time while they're in rehab. I also try not to keep my pt's in the rehab gym way over the time they're suppose to be there. And guess what? When I try to keep my 30 min pt. for only 30 min. They complain that I am moving to quick, and I need to spread my people out more. If I leave the gym to go to a pt's room to practice Adl's they're looking for me like I'm hiding... wth? They have no personality whatsoever! OT is a great field. But I honestly have to keep a positve outlook and remember why I got into this field so I do not get burned out, or end up like a boring therapist.

Ms Cota/L in Bayville, New Jersey said: I am a COTA/L working in NY. I have been a COTA for a year 1/2. I understand now how easy it is to get burned out in this field. But dont get me wrong I love my career! But I have noticed the creativity,excitement, and the rapport with rehab pt's vanishing at a fast pace. I work with the most uncaring and extremely boring OT's ever! I try to make my pt's experience a good time while they're in rehab. I also try not to keep my pt's in the rehab gym way over the time they're suppose to be there. And guess what? When I try to keep my 30 min pt. for only 30 min. They complain that I am moving to quick, and I need to spread my people out more. If I leave the gym to go to a pt's room to practice Adl's they're looking for me like I'm hiding... wth? They have no personality whatsoever! OT is a great field. But I honestly have to keep a positve outlook and remember why I got into this field so I do not get burned out, or end up like a boring therapist.

You mention some of the reasons why I stay away from rehab facilities. There are some OTs who are in such a rut and apparently quite happy there! But that is not for me! Keep your creativity and fresh approach ... who knows it may rub off on them eventually!!

At the beginning of your career, you may need to change jobs several times until you find a good "fit" for yourself, this is very important. Otherwise you will be a round peg in a square hole. It is very important to make the hard choices and possibly even take a job that pays a bit less or is a bit more of a commute until you find the exact location and team that fits you. Keep doing what you are doing - it sounds like you are trying to make it very client centered and occupation based. ;-) Meredith, OTR

Disappointed said: I worked as a COTA for two years and had a difficult time getting my hours in. I would only average 20 to 30 hours per week as the facilities case load veried greatly from day to day. I only made $12.00 an hour as a new grad, but was told COTA's make about $18.00 an hour out of school... what a lie. My high School counselor told me there is a growing decline for COTA's but I did not listen. I am back in school and working on a career as a Registered Radiology Technician. This time I did my research.

It depends on where you work, when I started out in 1993 I was making 16.00 per hour, in a lot of rural areas they pay a lot more, now after all these years I am making 32.00 an hour, our case load varies a lot to but in our area there are many PRN needs so you can pretty much work the hours you want. I think Radiology Technician is a great field too. I hope it works out for you and sorry you were disappointed, because it can be a great field. I am however keeping a eye out because if the new pps laws, most places if they can get an OTR they will take one over a COTA, lucky for me there are hardly any OTR's in the area so I can have all the work I need. Hope every thing works out for you

Sassielady in Glendale, Arizona said: Unfortunately, in my area there are NO community colleges that offer the OTA program. I will have to attend Brown Mackie college and pay upwards of $35K for the program Is this worth it? There seems to be a demand here and pay seems pretty good as well. I just have a hard time swallowing this price tag though. Please give your advice....

The career change is worth it but BMC, charges to damn much for the program. I am currently a BMC student based out of Saint Louis. Only good thing is that the career field is worth it.

COTAgirl in Doylestown, Pennsylvania said: I am a new grad and work at a SNF in NJ. I started at $31.00/hour with an added payment each wee to help me pay off my student loans. This is definitely more than I was expecting.

congratulations ! that is great !

COTA4kidz in Roselle, New Jersey said: In NJ, I've heard of people starting at anywhere from $30 to $35/hr in SNF. I think we are on the high end in the North East.

wow! that is what OTR's with many years experience earn here, you are very lucky- I have heard that SNF's pay more than hospital based, it all depends on what you want. Hope you are enjoying your career and feel well supported.

me in Seattle, Washington said: wow! that is what OTR's with many years experience earn here, you are very lucky- I have heard that SNF's pay more than hospital based, it all depends on what you want. Hope you are enjoying your career and feel well supported.

It is a good wage ... but we also have some of the highest property taxes and car insurance in the state ... not to mention the cost of housing ... so I guess all things are relative. :)

HELP! Is COTA a dying position? :( I'm going to be starting an OTA program soon. I'm a bit apprehensive after reading all these varied posts along with finding out about the Medicaid cap that happened this past January. Did this cap also effect out-patient rehab's (private insurance) along with the SNF's?? I get that insurance is a tricky thing and there will always be issues or problems to deal with however, this cap seems to of truly affected all aspects of rehab when it comes to OT/PT/Speech. Reading about how they are going to eventually take away or phase out Occupational therapy is alarming. I don't see how that is possible...but I'd like to find this kind of thing out now before I start with this degree. I am very passionate about this field and have done plenty of shadowing of OTA's and OT's to see what it's like. The job environment is something I can definitely see myself doing and feel passionate about. I just want to ensure that there will be jobs still available by the time I'm finished with school and get certified! Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

This is a very negatively focused forum. I would suggest getting on the AOTA site. On the upper right hand side is "OT connections" in the "general" category, you can ask any question that you like to COTA's and OT's that are working. COTA is still a very valued profession. We use ours mostly in IPR. We have 3 main OT-COTA teams that cover the IPR. Our hospital only uses OT's in acute care, but other hospitals only have the OTs do evals and the COTAs do treatments, they have twice as many COTA's as OT's, same with SNF's they need twice as many COTA's as OT's. You are entering a wonderful profession. Just remember, when they advertise that they want an OT, that may include COTA, they want someone to deliver occupational therapy, and convince them that you have the skills they want to do that for them. ;-) have fun.

me in Seattle, Washington said: At the beginning of your career, you may need to change jobs several times until you find a good "fit" for yourself, this is very important. Otherwise you will be a round peg in a square hole. It is very important to make the hard choices and possibly even take a job that pays a bit less or is a bit more of a commute until you find the exact location and team that fits you. Keep doing what you are doing - it sounds like you are trying to make it very client centered and occupation based. ;-) Meredith, OTR

Thank you Meredith.

COTA4kidz in Linden, New Jersey said: You mention some of the reasons why I stay away from rehab facilities. There are some OTs who are in such a rut and apparently quite happy there! But that is not for me! Keep your creativity and fresh approach ... who knows it may rub off on them eventually!!

I hope I rub off on them, and they do not rub off on me... I love my career, but after this I think I will look into another area of the OT disipline as Meredith stated... to see which setting is for me.

amy- if you are still around, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. This will negatively impact your health. I feel that your management is not supporting a good work environment. Please look for a better company. Find a company that has core values that you can believe in. Interview management and ask them "how do you stick up for your core values?" "how do you advocate for your therapy department when nursing wants therapy to do nursing duties? (and believe me this happens constantly and takes a strong therapy manager and nursing manager to make sure it does not happen, because it is a constant battle as everyone is pushed for productivity.)

If i find a nurse that "sets me up for success" "SBAR"- I write a letter to her manager about what she specifically did to allow me to do my job. For instance, a recent one was ** knows how to set therapy up for success. Instead of saying 'you can't see ** now, or come back later , or I'm giving meds, she says "no-no- we can work together, I can give my meds while you do your job. Or if a patient is needing to do a specific duty , she asks me "will this fit into your plan?" then I can do for her , what she would have had to do, allowing her to work with another patient and me to do my job. People tend to do more of what you compliment them on. After a while your nurses will work with you more as a team, it took me 2 years to gently get the team where I want them to be- which is knowing what OT is and isn't , valuing us, setting us up for success, and working as a team. Please take care of yourself and find a job that allows you to use the creative skills that you went to school for to help people.

me in Seattle, Washington said: This is a very negatively focused forum. I would suggest getting on the AOTA site. On the upper right hand side is "OT connections" in the "general" category, you can ask any question that you like to COTA's and OT's that are working. COTA is still a very valued profession. We use ours mostly in IPR. We have 3 main OT-COTA teams that cover the IPR. Our hospital only uses OT's in acute care, but other hospitals only have the OTs do evals and the COTAs do treatments, they have twice as many COTA's as OT's, same with SNF's they need twice as many COTA's as OT's. You are entering a wonderful profession. Just remember, when they advertise that they want an OT, that may include COTA, they want someone to deliver occupational therapy, and convince them that you have the skills they want to do that for them. ;-) have fun.

Thank you-heading over to the AOTA website right now! One thing, could you clarify what an IPR is?

A male traveler nurse came up to me as I was sitting in a cubicle in the hall documenting> I had been working with some of his patients for the last few weeks. He said "can I ask You something?" "do you like your career as an OT?" I said yes, i love it. He said, I wish I had known about it before I went into nursing. WhY I asked?
He said "Nurses eat their young" -- meaning, everything you have just said. In the two minute conversation we had, one nurse cheerfully came up to him and said "can you watch my peeps when I go to lunch? without waiting for an answer she said thanks, and was gone, now he had his 4 patients, and her 4 patients , without knowing anything about her 4 patients. another nurse did the same thing leaving him with 12 patients, 8 of whom he knew nothing about. YIKES ! He looked miserable and couldn't wait for his assignment to be over. I felt so badly for him.
The nurses that I work with are really great , but- when they get pushed for productivity , yes,they can be catty. I work with the highest caliber of nurses in critical care, there they have a 2 patient to 1 nurse ratio and they are allowed to be more professional and less pressured.

me in Seattle, Washington said: amy- if you are still around, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. This will negatively impact your health. I feel that your management is not supporting a good work environment. Please look for a better company. Find a company that has core values that you can believe in. Interview management and ask them "how do you stick up for your core values?" "how do you advocate for your therapy department when nursing wants therapy to do nursing duties? (and believe me this happens constantly and takes a strong therapy manager and nursing manager to make sure it does not happen, because it is a constant battle as everyone is pushed for productivity.)

If i find a nurse that "sets me up for success" "SBAR"- I write a letter to her manager about what she specifically did to allow me to do my job. For instance, a recent one was ** knows how to set therapy up for success. Instead of saying 'you can't see ** now, or come back later , or I'm giving meds, she says "no-no- we can work together, I can give my meds while you do your job. Or if a patient is needing to do a specific duty , she asks me "will this fit into your plan?" then I can do for her , what she would have had to do, allowing her to work with another patient and me to do my job. People tend to do more of what you compliment them on. After a while your nurses will work with you more as a team, it took me 2 years to gently get the team where I want them to be- which is knowing what OT is and isn't , valuing us, setting us up for success, and working as a team. Please take care of yourself and find a job that allows you to use the creative skills that you went to school for to help people.

Really good advice! Thanks!

I have recommended OT to more former or dissatisfied nurses and/or nursing students. And being one myself, I so understand where that male nurse was coming from... I glad I'm finally taking the plunge.

I'm currently a Massage Therapist with a background in Assistant Teaching for special-needs children (mostly autism and Downs syndrome). I'm 25 and would like to go back to school. I want a steady salary (modest is okay, I just need $40-50K a year) and since I am creative and compassionate, I want a career where I can use those qualities everyday. I'm currently debating between PTA and COTA. I've worked in PT offices before doing medical massage. I can see myself there, but my true desire is to work with special-needs people again, especially kids. Are there many opportunities for this as a COTA?

Probably some of the most rewarding work as a COTA with children who have special needs is with the easter seals or elks doing home health visits. Try googling it or look on the AOTA site, upper right "OT connections" Then OTA forum to ask other COTA's your question. sounds like a great idea !

gmc in Spring Valley, New York said: I'm currently a Massage Therapist with a background in Assistant Teaching for special-needs children (mostly autism and Downs syndrome). I'm 25 and would like to go back to school. I want a steady salary (modest is okay, I just need $40-50K a year) and since I am creative and compassionate, I want a career where I can use those qualities everyday. I'm currently debating between PTA and COTA. I've worked in PT offices before doing medical massage. I can see myself there, but my true desire is to work with special-needs people again, especially kids. Are there many opportunities for this as a COTA?

There are a lot of opportunities or COTAs in this area. I worked in a CP center for 4 years and in the public school for 8 ... it is very rewarding. There are less opportunities for PTAs in these settings as they require line of sight supervision so they generally are not found in the public school setting.

me in Seattle, Washington said: A male traveler nurse came up to me as I was sitting in a cubicle in the hall documenting> I had been working with some of his patients for the last few weeks. He said "can I ask You something?" "do you like your career as an OT?" I said yes, i love it. He said, I wish I had known about it before I went into nursing. WhY I asked?
He said "Nurses eat their young" -- meaning, everything you have just said. In the two minute conversation we had, one nurse cheerfully came up to him and said "can you watch my peeps when I go to lunch? without waiting for an answer she said thanks, and was gone, now he had his 4 patients, and her 4 patients , without knowing anything about her 4 patients. another nurse did the same thing leaving him with 12 patients, 8 of whom he knew nothing about. YIKES ! He looked miserable and couldn't wait for his assignment to be over. I felt so badly for him.
The nurses that I work with are really great , but- when they get pushed for productivity , yes,they can be catty. I work with the highest caliber of nurses in critical care, there they have a 2 patient to 1 nurse ratio and they are allowed to be more professional and less pressured.

And how many therapists have left there therapy careers like me for Nursing?
I would take a lot of this with a grain of salt for those thinking of getting into OT...

Cindy in San Diego, California said: And how many therapists have left there therapy careers like me for Nursing?
I would take a lot of this with a grain of salt for those thinking of getting into OT...

You just couldn't stay away. OT is a good field, if you left the field its because you got into the field for the wrong reasons----> money

Cindy in San Diego, California said: And how many therapists have left there therapy careers like me for Nursing?
I would take a lot of this with a grain of salt for those thinking of getting into OT...

I don't understand why ... if you're so happy in nursing ... you keep coming back to an OTA forum.

Nursing is an honorable field ... but it's not for everyone. Just as OT is not for everyone. It's important that we each find our niche in our professional lives.

I have nothing against nursing. This forum is to share information about the field of OTA. Perhaps if you know of some nursing forums you can post them for anyone interested in looking into nursing.

thankyou for keeping things positive. I did a job search on the AOTA site in my state, there are 500 job listings for OT and many of those are for COTA. Like I said before, many times a job will advertise that they want an "OT" and sometimes that means either OTR or COTA, it is up to you to reasearch the needs of the company, and then sell yourself as the person with the skills to meet those needs for them.

What cities have the greatest need for cotas.

cota in Southfield, Michigan said: What cities have the greatest need for cotas.

The AOTA site has a state by state job listing , there are over 500 jobs advertised, you can arrange to search for them by zip code- you need to belong to Aota to access the job postings

OTAStudentRL in Middletown, New York said: Thank you-heading over to the AOTA website right now! One thing, could you clarify what an IPR is?

IPR is "Inpatient Rehabilitation Center". It is usually connected to a hospital. It is where the physiatrists choose certain medically fragile / complex people with certain specific (mostly neurological) conditions to get intense therapy at least 3 hours daily with rehab nursing around the clock for a few weeks to maximize their potential. They get OT-PT-speech-MD-RN-TR-psychology. Their day is jam packed with therapy to help them recover very quickly if possible. Our unit has 40 beds. Our hospital has 8 floors with 40 beds per floor. You can see that only a small minority of people are chosen to go to IPR. It is very expensive for the insurance company - probably 10 times more expensive than a SNF.

me in Seattle, Washington said: The AOTA site has a state by state job listing , there are over 500 jobs advertised, you can arrange to search for them by zip code- you need to belong to Aota to access the job postings

Thanks Seattle,
I have looked on the AOTA site but just wanted to get some feedback from therapist working in different cities.I am fairly open to relocating anywhere in the USA.Just wanted to know where there is a big demand for COTAS or need for travelers.I would appreciate anyones input.FYI you don't need to be a member of AOTA to access the job listings.

I would check out the state of Tx. Pay is better
Than average. Watch out for travel jobs as they
Are usually in places no one wants to go to. Central
And east tx usually have an abundance of hard to
Fill jobs for perm and travel. Some of the big
Players are rehab care, Mbs rehab and century rehab.
Those are contract companies. There are companies
Who provide in house therapy and usually treat their
People better. I had a great exp working with Cantex senior
Communities. Www.cantexsc.com

Good luck in your search

COTA4kidz in Roselle, New Jersey said: I don't understand why ... if you're so happy in nursing ... you keep coming back to an OTA forum.

Nursing is an honorable field ... but it's not for everyone. Just as OT is not for everyone. It's important that we each find our niche in our professional lives.

I have nothing against nursing. This forum is to share information about the field of OTA. Perhaps if you know of some nursing forums you can post them for anyone interested in looking into nursing.

Because you keep complaining about how bad nursing is by giving poor examples of people you work with in nursing whom you say are burnt out. I was just saying I know therapists who are just as burnt out in their OT careers, and Nurses who are completely happy with their careers. If you want to talk about how great OT is, then do so, but don't set poor examples of other health-care professions. That's all I am saying...

Cindy in San Diego, California said: Because you keep complaining about how bad nursing is by giving poor examples of people you work with in nursing whom you say are burnt out. I was just saying I know therapists who are just as burnt out in their OT careers, and Nurses who are completely happy with their careers. If you want to talk about how great OT is, then do so, but don't set poor examples of other health-care professions. That's all I am saying...

You have me confused with someone else. I've never made any comments about nurses in the past ... I don't work with nurses ... I work in the school system. And I have nothing negative to say about nursing ... or OT .... but if I did, I wouldn't be posting it to a forum because ... what's the point?

I think that it's important to have a positive attitude ... not to hide facts or reality ... but telling the truth and bashing are two different things.

Let's keep ... or rather make ... this forum positive!!

Positive about what miss gatekeeper. Here read this.
www.indeed.com/forum/job/physical-therapy-assistant/Is-RC-3-11-only-starting-investigation-July-2012/t371160

COTA's will soon follow...

Hi Cindy.

I'm applying to OTA school because I want to do OT with special-needs children. I was researching PTA school but decided on OTA because of RC3-11. OTA didn't seem to be involved with this issue. What makes you think COTA's will soon follow? I have my college interview this afternoon and want to make an informed decision about whether or not to enroll in the OTA program...

COTAMAN said: OK, thought I would share this bit of info with those thinking about getting into OT. I recieved a letter yesterday from Medicare and Social Security stating that Medicare will run out of money by 2019 and there will be no more Social Security benefit payouts after 2040 as there will not be enough money in the system. This means Rehab Companies, SNF's, and Hospitals will no longer be reimbursed by Medicare for OT/PT/SPL services. NO REIMBURSEMENT, NO JOBS!! Americans are only paying .74 cents per dollar into the system for very $1.00 Medicare pays out to take care of our elderly. It's not brain surgery people... think about it.

I hope cota's or ot's are needed in the future because it's my dream job. My son has autism, and he has inspired me to get into the cota/ot field so I can help other children/elderly with physical or developmental disabilities. I really hope that the government will come up with a solution to this problem. I don't want to settle for anything else.

what is useful to think about it this. If your car engine needed repair, would you only repair it if it was covered by your homeowners insurance? If your home owners insurance didn't cover car repair, or you didn't have homeowners insurance, would you choose to just let your car fall apart and walk instead? Probably not. You would probably think of a way to save up some money to find a reputable car mechanic. Does what you do as a COTA have worth? If it does, be creative. People will pay privately for something that is worthwhile. If what you do is worthwhile, learn some marketing business skills to market what you offer. If what you do is not worthwhile, learn some skills to make it worthwhile. That is the direction OT is going.

me in Seattle, Washington said: what is useful to think about it this. If your car engine needed repair, would you only repair it if it was covered by your homeowners insurance? If your home owners insurance didn't cover car repair, or you didn't have homeowners insurance, would you choose to just let your car fall apart and walk instead? Probably not. You would probably think of a way to save up some money to find a reputable car mechanic. Does what you do as a COTA have worth? If it does, be creative. People will pay privately for something that is worthwhile. If what you do is worthwhile, learn some marketing business skills to market what you offer. If what you do is not worthwhile, learn some skills to make it worthwhile. That is the direction OT is going.

Excellent! I work in the school system, where sadly I don't ever see a decreased need. (Sadly because so many children with learning differences exist). Even so, I was told yesterday that the head of Spec. Ed has told the case managers that they will not provide OT for handwriting anymore. This is just one school district's attempt to save money, not a direction that the entire industry is headed for. I have become Handwriting Without Tears certified and others in our department are also in the process. We are able to offer Handwriting Screening and follow through throughout the year, and market it as a service separate from OT. In fact our selling point is that screening the children in Kindergarten will avoid more expensive services later on. There's always an angle and OT gives us many marketable skills.

marie M. in Clarkston, Washington said: Hi Susan, I have been a COTA for 19 years and we are very much in demand here where I live. also I make very good pay, for a 2 year degree its fantastic. I love my Job and where I work in washington and idaho, COTA's here are considered very valuable and are well respected. I don't see any decline in COTA's job in the near future in some rural community 's there are not near enough to go around..here we have to worry about getting worked to death lol.

Hi -

I just finished a COTA program in MO and would love to relocate back to the Idaho/Washington area as I have family there and love the area. I have a hard time finding specific facilities to apply to at present (I still apply even though I am waiting to take the exam)...I am open to setting but the only availabilities I can find are via agencies and that causes me a bit of concern. Any advice? Are you available to speak with me via email? I am new to this site and will be new to the profession, as well. Thanks!