Should I try for COTA??

I am in my Junior year for my Psychology degree. I was hoping to start Grad school to become an OTR. Right now money is tight and I really need to find a job that is more in my field of interest. I did not get my OTA because I was not aware of this at the time I decided to start my psychology degree. Would it be worth it to get my COTA or should I just continue on with my B.S in Psych for Grad school? Any suggestions of where I could start to get my foot in the door to this field?

Miss Honey,
Please take a good week to check out this site and see what the thoughts are on OT/OTA. Get your BS in Psych and move on from there. Or look into a PTA or nursing program. Most other health care professions are legit. OT is not.

To Matilda: I really enjoy the OT field. Right now I work with special needs kids specializing in Autism and granted, there are really tough days with them but I feel like I do have pride in my work. Why do you feel like the way you do? Is there any personal experience you could inform me with? This is the first time I have ever heard something negative about it and I am really curious. Just to let you know I would not work in the school side of it. But really, if you could give me more explanation to your opinion I would greatly appreciate it!!!! :)

FGT: Are you referencing to OTR as well as OT/OTA? Also, why do you consider OT to not be legit?

Thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate it and hope to hear from y'all again.

maltilda in Arizona said: Oh my there is so much wrong with it it is unbelievable. Did you read the other forums under occupational therapist. Did you read the indeed.com forums under OT? Try to search if you can, the topics go on for years apparently with peoples gripes. I think they are OT burnout, and careers other than OT, and more. I would think if you really like working with kids with autism why not be a special ed teacher, or child psychologist, or even speech therapist. Those are more legit careers that actually make some sense. OT just has no meaning that anyone can figure out. Sort of tries everything but accomplishes nothing.

I don't know what to tell you. Just be careful.

I have to agree with you. OT has gotten worse over the years, but I feel PT is just as bad. Neither OT/PT is a legit profession, need I say more. The only reason people get into this field is for the money, nothing else. Go look under COTA, Occupational Therapy Assistant, OT, and Occupational Therapy in the forums here on indeed.com. You will find your answers there. I'm just glad I'm leaving this field in the very near future.

Rick,
What is your new career field. I've been a COTA for 1 year and pretty much hate it. Its absolutely ridiculous. I can't even believe how much money is spent on a therapy like OT. And since there is so much money to be made in therapy, there is so much fraud and abuse. For instance, today I was told to see 4 med B patients for 1 hr each in the 2 hrs I was at the facility. As far as I've been told, I didn't think you were suppose to see more than 1 Med B patient at a time. I really do hate this field.

maltilda in Arizona said: If you have an ounce of sense do not do OT. It is a totally meaningless, depressing job. If you enjoy psychology do something with that and at least have a sense of pride in what you do.

Misshoney718 it sounds like a case of another case of the Arrogant Disgruntled Therapist (Better known as ADT,) and obviously Matilda is not practicing OT. I have an Idea what field Matilda practices in, but let’s just take the higher road. MATILDA is one of those…. that needs to make herself feel better by belittling others. I am sure she’s real liked outside of work as well. Matilda’s POC consists of listing to herself talk and patting herself on the back for STG #1. LMAO
Matilda , I could care less if one of my Clients gets a little more attention from whatever discipline that walks into their room. As long as the practitioner is competent in the tx plan, and it benefits’ the Client…. Hello, what’s the problem? ….Oh, I know what the problem is….. Can everyone please tell Matilda how great she is so she can move on with her day. Matilda you get a gold star and a happy face for a good days work. You’re the best.

SHHHHHH, dont tell Matilda I like my career in OT. Be very quite or she might get mad.

Matilda I new you would not understand, your too self centered. Your only involvement in therapy is in self glory instead of helping your clients. Your a joke and everyone knows it. You know its true, thats why you responded.

I hope people dont think this is the medical field but a personal prefrence that matilda has with lashing out at other disaplines to make herself feel better. Matilda's problems more complex then she knows and more then likely steams from here childhood.She that person...shas issues any where she goes. We all recommend a Psych eval..

Funny how Matilda is scared to mention what disapline she is, Why is that?

Hey Gee I live in Dallas,Tx and I can see you don't live to far. Could you tell me any tips on the OT field? How do you like it? Are you working in the school or private industry? Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I am kind of freaking right now because my whole like I have wanted to be an OT but now that I have longed on to this site I am hesitant to spend almost 100,000 on Grad school for this.

Thank you all who have responded with a legitimate answer.

Misshoney718 in Richardson, Texas said: Hey Gee I live in Dallas,Tx and I can see you don't live to far. Could you tell me any tips on the OT field? How do you like it? Are you working in the school or private industry? Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I am kind of freaking right now because my whole like I have wanted to be an OT but now that I have longed on to this site I am hesitant to spend almost 100,000 on Grad school for this.

Thank you all who have responded with a legitimate answer.

Hello Misshoney718

I would say it is like any other career path; you make it what it is. I am a COTA and like any other career, OT has its moments I am sure, it just depends what you focus on. If I were you I would go for grad School unless your 50 yrs old (just because of the student loans would follow you to the grave.)
I have worked in Children Psych at a state facility - tough job most of the children where abuse physically or sexually abused in some way or another, a little too much to handle with so many kids in a group setting. I felt more like a warden in a prison do to the fact that most of these kids had to be locked down themselves because of learned behaviors of their attackers. Don’t get me wrong; there were some good OT’s that had better mind sets for this type of work. . It just was not for me
I worked SNF for geriatric clients and thought that was the last place I would find myself but liked it tremendously. I had been in some bad SNF and good SNF. You can tell a facility and how it is run by visiting about 8PM at night or on weekends.
I worked in sub acute rehab facilities and outpatient facility that I am currently working in now. I take care of government employees that have repetitive stress injuries such as Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, lower back Strains, hip replacements, knee replacements, carpal tunnel, rotator cuff tears, Morton's neuroma.
I love OT because of the diversity of all the fields that we can practice

Hey I got cut off so I am finishing my blog.

in. I am sure we all have are reasons that bring use to Healthcare. If you’re going into the field of OT/ PT/ SLPs for a pat on the back, and or the glory of the gods. FYI… you might want to look elsewhere or you will become disgruntled like Matilda. Just to let you know do get a pat or two on the back at times, but not enough to spend a life time chasing after to satisfy a need or define oneself. I can go on forever about pros or cons and how I cope. I need to get off the computer. If you want more detail just shot me a message and I will see what I can answer. Just short on time right now.
If you would like to catch up at a starbucks or something similar for question and answer session that would be fine as well. I live in frisco and work in dallas so something in between here and there would work.

Jillie if the heading was such a joke, why did u take the time to comment?

I don't understand all the rude remarks. Everyone claims to be a "professional" yet there is a lot of childish remarks.

Thank you all that contributed to this board and I really do appreciate it.

Thank you for your posts they have been helpful.

FGT in Greenville, South Carolina said: Miss Honey,
Please take a good week to check out this site and see what the thoughts are on OT/OTA. Get your BS in Psych and move on from there. Or look into a PTA or nursing program. Most other health care professions are legit. OT is not.

your on CRACK! OT is an incredible field with a variety of settings one can work in. I love my career as an OT and make $150k a year doing it. Im not sure where you got your information from, but your understanding of OT is not "legit". You should probably speak to a few OT's before you make such an ignorant statement. Im just saying.

John in Jacksonville, Florida said: your on CRACK! OT is an incredible field with a variety of settings one can work in. I love my career as an OT and make $150k a year doing it. Im not sure where you got your information from, but your understanding of OT is not "legit". You should probably speak to a few OT's before you make such an ignorant statement. Im just saying.

That is ridiculous. OTs do not make that much money. Who is paying you to write this nonsense. I have to agree with FGT. OT is a lot of nothing.

Hi everyone,
i am on the verge of changing careers and cota has come up, and it seems like a rather interesting career with alot of possibility for employment in my area anyway.i have been reading posts on here and i have to say there are some characters.so with that said could someone honestly let me know what i would be getting into.i am a single dad with alot of family help.i need to know do i need to pay for my own medical,is it wacky hours, good pay etc. i am coming into this due to a injury where i can no longer work at my old job wich was construction.(pretty much cant lift 45# over head) will that be a problem. def looking forward to hearing back from whomever thanks

oh my i have never heard such negative things about the field of OT, I did not know it was such a hatterville topic, i have been thinking about going into OT for a while now. i am taking courses for my foundation now and i just think some of the things said may be far fetched. as a paraprofessional i watch the otd,ota's or whatever they are work with my students and since they are profound special needs i can see the affects if they did not have ot over the years. yeah i know the fact that OT olone did not do it the students have PT,OT,Speech and many more services provided to them. but i think 1 or 2 by themselves would not have the same affects as the whole assistance team

I am considering a Masters in OT.
With a masters in health Admn, I feel I need a technical/professional degree (not a generalised degree) to be able to get into a field where job demand is high and the pay decent.
Another thing i am wondering about--will a special ed teacher in public school experience help when i choose to study OT or work as OT?or does it not matter.
I am financially not ready to pay for masters , so want to work as special ed teacher fro acouple of yrs and then go for a masters.
Would appreciate any advise!

thanks

weiner in Plano, Texas said: I am considering a Masters in OT.
With a masters in health Admn, I feel I need a technical/professional degree (not a generalised degree) to be able to get into a field where job demand is high and the pay decent.
Another thing i am wondering about--will a special ed teacher in public school experience help when i choose to study OT or work as OT?or does it not matter.
I am financially not ready to pay for masters , so want to work as special ed teacher fro acouple of yrs and then go for a masters.
Would appreciate any advise!

thanks

I absolutely love being an OT and have been one for 23 years. There are so many areas to go into and I found OT thru working with special needs children. I am currently a hand therapist although I have worked in the neonatal intensive care unit,school district and acute care. It does take a certain type of personality to be able to work with all types of patients so if you don't enjoy others or are very Type A then it is not the field you want.

FGT in Greenville, South Carolina said: Rick,
What is your new career field. I've been a COTA for 1 year and pretty much hate it. Its absolutely ridiculous. I can't even believe how much money is spent on a therapy like OT. And since there is so much money to be made in therapy, there is so much fraud and abuse. For instance, today I was told to see 4 med B patients for 1 hr each in the 2 hrs I was at the facility. As far as I've been told, I didn't think you were suppose to see more than 1 Med B patient at a time. I really do hate this field.

considering changing from respiratory therapy to cota. is there anything positive you can name for the field? seriously.

cota wanna be in New Orleans, Louisiana said: considering changing from respiratory therapy to cota. is there anything positive you can name for the field? seriously.

Hi cota wanna be, I'm in the same situation. I am a respiratory therapist and I'm starting to hate it and planning on going to cota. RT job is chill but I hate the schedule. So, are you going for cota soon?