Not really venturing, really seeking some guidance…I’m a new grad and recently licensed. I have not started working yet. I have an interest with working with this population in the future. I’m just not sure where to start. Any advice is helpful in regard to additional certifications/courses, training and even potential settings. Or anything you can think of… thank you so much :)

New grad here! I am currently working in a SNF and feeling pretty overwhelmed, especially with my time management! Imposter syndrome is definitely there. I saw where note ninja subscription offers information on interventions for various areas with ways to document. I figured this could be helpful, but it is pretty expensive. I’m willing to try it if there are those out there that felt like it is worth the price. Let me know your thoughts please!

I’m in my fourth week as an OT in OP peds and I love it so far. Only thing is that evals are taking me so long to write. I’m at nearly a full caseload so I don’t have time to finish them during the week and it usually takes me 5-6 hours of dedicated work over the weekend to score assessments, enter them into the system, and write up the eval. It’s making me anxious about returning to work each week because I was working at home all weekend. I know a lot of it is because I’m brand new and still learning how to write and come up with goals, but I would love to know that writing up evals gets quicker with more experience. The time it takes me is even with copy/pasting from previous evals and just plugging in the data and using goal banks.

I just started working with a 3-year-old (just aged out of EI) and her goals are writing and cutting. She knows most of her letters and can write around 30% of them. When she does, they take up an entire page due to her lack of wrist extension that gives her difficulty with smaller lines. Her grasp is also, understandably, not age-appropriate. What is a realistic writing grasp pattern to expect for her?

Aside from activities to improve BUE motion/strength and a home program for stretching (it doesn't sound like EI gave mom anything in that vein), is there anything specific I should keep an eye out for?

Thank you in advance!

https://x.com/UMMAP6739/status/1852524954299900318

I saw this and asked around to friends who work there. Apparently it’s around 7000 workers including all locations including PT, OT, OR techs, medical assistants and more. UMich needs to pay fair wages and take care of people that take care of others.

How is this not on the news!?

I applied for a job as OASIS reviewer position open to OT/PT and wanted to see what it is like. Have 5 years experience as an OT and looking for something new. Anyone have any experience?

Hi all,

I'm an OT working in an elementary school. I think I own around 30-40 noise canceling headphones by now, but all are being used by students, and I have at least one new student a week come to my office to ask for a pair. They all give good reasons as to needing them during their school day, and I want to support anyone who needs them. Needless to say it's getting expensive.

On Amazon I see bulk noise-canceling earplugs for much cheaper, but I don't see a lot of options specifically for children, and I'm worried they will be too big and uncomfortable.

In a perfect world, I'd find ones like these: corded, re-useable, extra small/child-sized. https://www.amazon.com/Xuhal-Silicone-Reduction-Protection-Canceling/dp/B0C1YJKVRB/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_image?pd_rd_w=mc3RH&content-id=amzn1.sym.bb21fc54-1dd8-448e-92bb-2ddce187f4ac%3Aamzn1.symc.40e6a10e-cbc4-4fa5-81e3-4435ff64d03b&pf_rd_p=bb21fc54-1dd8-448e-92bb-2ddce187f4ac&pf_rd_r=SE3ZWZPDCG5Y4DXPA8PP&pd_rd_wg=tfl6o&pd_rd_r=e28adb34-6c86-4723-be86-150e78a49e5d&pd_rd_i=B0C1YJKVRB

Does anyone have any recommendations?

hi everyone! I’m a new grad and i’m very interested in working at an assisted living facility. Is it typical for ALF positions to be contracted through an agency such as fox? Or are there ALF’s that will post a job on their site looking for a full time OT? Thank you for the advice! I’m trying to figure out the best way to go about the job search

I just had my 1 year review at my job. I'm a COTA at a very small (20 ish employees total) peds private practice. This is my first year out of school and I really like my job. I am very proud of myself for staying at this job as long as I have, my previous record was 8 months. The review was mostly positive, but I am having some issues with my clinic manager.

The way my manager talked about made me feel like she thinks of me as not much better than a student. I need some extra supports sometimes but those have drastically decreased as I have gotten more comfortable with the job. She also made me feel bad that I don't have a "specialty"/certification (feeding etc) yet, and that I have only taken a few small CEU courses.

With all of my interactions with her, she makes me feel othered from the team. I know I am young and new, but it really feels like she doesn't value me. I am aware that I am part time, and I requested to have the number of patients I do, but she is constantly pressuringe to take on more clients to make me closer to full time. I also for some reason have the highest cancellation percentage in the clinic, and she straight up said that this is my fault because I am "not communicating well enough with the families about the value of therapy".

I also feel that she is taking advantage of me financially (everyone else got 3% raises, I got a $6/day raise).

I don't know how to go about helping this situation. What I'm planning on doing is shutting my mouth and just letting the resentment fester, which I know is not healthy or helpful, but my manager doesn't respond well to criticism, and I really don't want to lose the job that I love so much.

I'm a new grad OTR applying for jobs in a big city. I have gotten a job offer for a SNF with average pay but subpar benefits. The main thing I'm concerned about is that I would be the only OT for the building. I didn't do a fieldwork in a SNF (I've worked at that setting in different capacities), so I'm worried about the lack of mentorship/supervision. My question is - how much do you have to sacrifice to get a job as a new grad? Is mentorship worth sacrificing to wait longer (without a salary) and continue applications? I generally feel nervous betting on myself and hoping that some other opportunities pan out. TIA

Come worth with us in Seattle!

We believe that hope begins with feeling understood — and we take that belief with us to every interaction with have with our clients, parents and guardians, teachers and other care givers.

heres a link to our careers page: https://seattlethera.com/careers/

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Curious what your experience has been with negotiating salary for larger hospitals? I know typically HR tends to say they pay based on years of experience, but wondering if anyone has had success negotiating a higher number despite this scale?

Ududhjcicx

I have been seeing a lot of younger (in their 50s/60s) CVA in SNF and I’m curious on other therapists experience with this population. When they are experiencing complete flaccid UE hemiplegia with 0 trace movement, do you ever see return of function? I am seeing them after they have had a stay in IPR, and they are coming for SNF angry and frustrated that rehab isn’t “working”. Truthfully in my experience if they have flaccid hemiplegia I rarely see improvement, but would like to hear from others and see what treatment approaches/modalities you use.

I'm a MSOT student who is going to be graduating very soon and will be taking the boards very shortly thereafter. I turn 26 basically immediately after graduating and have a condition which requires a very expensive medication, meaning I can't afford to not have benefits ASAP.

During my time in fieldwork, I found I was really passionate about UE/hands rehab. I had an amazing placement at a clinic near my school, but they only hire per diem nowadays and it's over an hour away from where I'll be living after graduation. I know that it's a really difficult field to get into if you don't start there after graduation. I'm really passionate about it - but there's no job listings in my area for this field. Very few listings even come close. I've been keeping an eye on this for months so that I could potentially interview early if something were to come up, I've gone through ASHT and all local hospital websites as well as traditional listings... nothing.

I do see consistent listings for schools and outpatient peds settings. I have tons of peds experience, though none in schools, and did also really enjoy my time there. Since I can't afford to wait around for a listing in UE/ortho to appear (insurance wise and financially in general tbh), I've considered just doing what I need to do to start working and looking in a field where there's clearly more openings available than my top choice. I wouldn't be upset to take a job in peds, and I've always done really well in that area. It's another passion of mine, so it wouldn't be a bad match. I just worry that in taking a position not related to UE/ortho rehab, I'm shooting myself in the foot and I won't ever be able to pivot into the field I'm most passionate about at this point in my (very early) career.

Has anyone else had a similar experience as a new grad? Has anyone here broken into hands after starting in a different practice setting? Is it even possible to start in schools with peds experience but no school-specific experience? I'm finishing one of my last assignments where we're reflecting on our career trajectories and it kinda sent me into a spiral, lol. Any insight at all would be appreciated at this point.

 I started my MSOT this year.
I was expecting it to be really hard, but I was super excited. I enjoyed my neuroscience class (prerequisite) even though it was super challenging. I thought my program would be more of that.  But it turns out, it’s a lot of discussions with no feedback, busy work, people shit on the biomedical model as if knowing your science was bad. I entered the program thinking SI was awesome. Surprise! SI is not evidence-based (?).  The most impactful part of a presentation about cancer was a poem about cancer, a POEM, not the data, not the science. People wear matching outfits for presentations and one of the groups brought a whole game show set up with lighting and all. I feel like my program is a mix of liberal arts, social work and drama. Am I too grumpy?

And I totally see why OTs complain about not being respected. I have been shoved into a volunteer site where people have no desire to change anything since it’s been working for them for a decade. Nevertheless, I am supposed to write a paper about the importance of OT in that setting. I think it’s zero.

I'm in CA, USA. Are all OT programs like this? Does it get less frustrating? How are OT programs outside of the US or even outside of CA?

Thanks !

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬.

I would like to formally invite you to participate in a research study titled “Does Engagement in Microlearning Opportunities Increase Perceived Confidence and Competence for Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educators.” This study aims to explore how brief, targeted learning experiences (microlearning) may impact the confidence and competence of occupational therapy fieldwork educators. If you are a certified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in the United States, I would greatly appreciate your participation in this survey. Your insights will help advance our understanding of educational strategies that can support fieldwork educators in their vital role.If you have previously participated in any fieldwork education provided by me, this experience will be similar in nature but will be more comprehensive in scope.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞?

Participants will be required to engage in a six-week learning opportunity, which includes completing a pre-survey before beginning and a post-survey at the end. All microlearning educational materials will be sent via email each Friday for six weeks as part of the “Fieldwork Friday” series. You will have the flexibility to read the materials at your convenience each week. Each survey is expected to take 10-15 minutes to complete.

https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Ic6vHS77U6KSH4

I’ve been looking for jobs as a new grad and am interested in mental health as well as some emerging areas of practice. Many of the jobs I’ve been looking at or interviewing for don’t have other OTs on-site to provide direct supervision or mentorship - some of these organizations have offered virtual supervision. Should I be worried about being the only OT on site? What level of supervision should I expect? And what are green/red flags to look out for?

Hello everybody who’s reading this I am graduating from famu with my bachelors in pre-ot and am deciding if applying for my masters at famu or going to south university where I’m from in palm beach county, I know it’s probably cheaper in south university and my mom graduated from there with her masters in nursing. I wanted to ask anyone who is a ota or cota do I apply after I pass my board exam or should I get some experience now before graduation. I’m currently working at Tmobile at the moment.

What would it take to be an owner of an LLC/business in this field? What degree/skills would you need to start one?

Did anyone work with an autistic kid who everyone thought was non verbal but suddenly starting talking? Or a kid that had sudden tremendous improvement ? Just curious to hear your experiences

Hi! I’m a Peds OT working in school-based setting (not in the US). I’m just wondering how do other Pediatric OTs handle behavioral kids especially with manipulative and escape behavior (noncompliance, physical aggression when prompted to do activities etc). Do you apply negative reinforcements/ consequences like time outs etc?

hi! im currently in college pursuing a bachelor’s of kinesiology, and highly interested in occupational therapy! if anyone is okay with a answering these questions it would be much appreciated! how much schooling did you do? how would you describe your job day to day? do you genuinely enjoy your job? how much do you make annually? would you recommend this career path?

thank you so much!

• a curious college student

Hello,

I’m an OTA student (24 F) in my second level 1 fieldwork about to head out to my first level 2 next semester. We are paired with OTD students from my school at the clinic. My partner (42 M) is a veteran and experiences some partial hearing loss due to an injury during his time served. We started off great, we worked well together, he wanted to give me as many opportunities as he could to let me do things on my own to get the experience. This past week I feel like everything has fallen apart. Earlier this week we had some miscommunication during clinic, he thought I was being rude, was complaining so loudly to the other students that my supervisor heard and got involved. That was solved. Then today we had progress notes due. My supervisor said that the OTD students should take the lead on them with some input from the OTA student. My partner must not have heard her because he emailed me today insinuating that I was to write them all by myself. I reached out to my supervisor to double check but never heard back so I emailed him back saying that I thought that he was primarily responsible but that I would help with what I could. He emails me back threatening to get our fieldwork coordinator and supervisor involved saying that me telling him this 4 hours before things are due is unacceptable. I just want to know if anyone had any suggestions on how to handle miscommunication between OT and OTAs. I want to try and solve this on our own without having to get the supervisors involved.

Hello Reddit world — wanted to pass along info about OT openings in beautiful Seattle!

Seattle Therapy - Skills for Life is hiring for OTs, COTAs and feeding therapists.

Here is a link to the openings — and I’ve included a few pix of our amazing clinic.

Please reach out and/or share!

Thanks!

https://seattlethera.com/careers/

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I’m a cota considering a bridge program unless a school local to me opens a masters program because I already have a bachelor’s degree.

In truth I would prefer to attend a master’s program because I feel that school taught me nothing. I would rather be in an environment where it’s assumed everything OT is new to me vs. skills I should already have. As for my experience with school, it was a definite mix of the program lacking and me being too burnt out by the excessive workload over useless info to actually absorb the material I really needed. A lot of what I did learn didn’t end up making sense until I started working. I felt I had very little context for what we were learning or doing.

I work in school-based peds for over a year since I’ve graduated and absolutely love it… but I feel I’ve lost an embarrassing amount of clinical skills. On top of this, I had a ruthless CI in my acute care level II fieldwork who made me feel like a complete fraud, so I have a ton of preemptive anxiety about having the same experience during on-campus labs if I attend a bridge program.

I’ve thought about going PRN in a SNF to regain some skills but so far everyone I’ve applied to has a productivity standard of 95% plus and honestly I am afraid to risk my license for that.

Anyone have similar experiences?

Hi all, I’m looking for a list of questions to ask teachers when they refer a student. Something that can help get to source of problems. I always get “they can’t hold a pencil” “they can’t write name” Usually the name isn’t developmentally appropriate (preK). Pencil holding is killing me. Kids can pinch me and pick up Pennie’s but always use a fisted grip for some reason. Things don’t get taught. One splinter skill they can’t do and I’m supposed to fix it.

Maybe I’m just venting now as I write this. I just want to yell “I don’t know why they do that!” “It’s not sensory” “You don’t teach them how to; why would they know how?” They were never exposed to it; that’s why they are in sped prek”

HA! This is the first Reddit I’ve seen that has “venting” and !2 types!

Hi all,

I am a newer grad in OP OT (10 months of practicing) in an outpatient pediatric hospital based setting. We switched to "epic" documentation 6 weeks ago and the billing report came out today and I noticed I had a few errors in my billing (over-billing) during the first two weeks it launched with no errors for the last 4 weeks. I am so worried I will be fired because of these mistakes, which I take fully responsibility for. I emailed the director and immediate boss right away but have not gotten a response yet. Has anyone been in this situation? Thanking you for all your support and reassurance in advance.

Hello, I've created this thread for those who have applied to the MSOT Spring 2025 program at CSUDH. My anxiety is sky-high as I await the results of my application. Has anyone received any updates on their admission status? If so, I was hoping we could share our experiences to get an idea of when we might hear back. Thank you for sharing, and good luck to everyone.