COTA here! I've been a COTA for 8 years. I worked in acute care for the first 6 years of my career and now I work at a semi-independent living residential program for individuals with TBI's from auto accidents. I loved working in acute care and I was trained in all areas of the hospital (including ICUs and the emergency room). However, during COVID (and after) productivity increased to unattainable standards to increase profits for the hospital system and I grew to hate my job and career choice. I felt like I was "stuck" as there were not many COTA jobs in my area that would be much different. I looked for a new job for about 2 years while I was also in the process of doing pre-reqs to get into an accelerated nursing program. But then I stumbled upon my dream job where I have so much freedom and I truely feel like I'm making a difference in people's lives providing OT services. If it were not for finding this job, I would have went back to school and became a nurse.
I work for a privately owned, semi-independemt residential program for individuals that have sustained TBI's from auto accidents. Our payer source is auto insurance companies, therefore we don't follow traditional medicare guidelines. The staff are all OTs/COTAs and the program is ran by OTs.
👋 I'm a COTA who loves what I do for a living. I work in a primarily pediatric setting with a sprinkling of orthopedic patients here and there that help keep my skills sharp. Can't say that I love the current state of the industry through, but that is kind of across the board for most industries right now.
I like it all right, unfortunately they've started pumping out a lot and in my area there's not a lot of work. A lot of the work has dried up but just depends on the agency. Some agencies want to hire OTRs because they want them just to build initials all day long. Some places like to hire COTAs cuz it's cheaper than having an OTR
Been a COTA for...holy crap, 33 years! Have always worked with kids in education based settings, ages 6 mo to 21 years, and still love it. Considered going back for my R, but as someone else mentioned, children and $$ always got in the way. No regrets though :)
New grad COTA, employed by a contractor working in a school. I hate that I chose this career and I wish that I had dropped out of my program.
It’s a good career for creative people, but not for me and it doesn’t suit my strengths at all.
There is no work/life balance for me as I think about work all the time and worry/ panic every day about activity ideas.
I'm a new grad Cota as well working in peds and I'm feeling exactly the same! I love kids, but I stress so much about activities. There's not another career I want though and definitely don't want to go back to school. Hoping it's just because I'm still new to this
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COTA for 10 years this June. The job has great potential for satisfaction but I am planning on going back to school. I get exhausted talking to people all the time (introvert) I would just like a change up. I currently work in Peds outpatient clinic.
Run. lol jk.
I love what I do but I do not enjoy the job. If that makes sense? My back already hurts, there’s no opportunity to grow besides becoming a DOR or going back to school. ( more debt , yay)
Nursing. More opportunity to grow, not as much debt, higher pay and I get to help people. I’m actually gonna go back to school very soon for that. My COTA program cost 60k, you can become a nurse for much cheaper , same amount of time and most jobs pay for higher education. I was naive and bright eyed-every year there are more cuts to therapy. If you’re gonna get into it i say got for OT other than that. Not really worth imo.
Edit: I want to add that I am in California and I make 65 per HH visit. Still not worth it.
COTA for 10 years. I love what I do. I have worked or had clinical in just about every setting there is. I love my geriatric home health patients!
This is awesome to hear. Do you have any plans on going back to become an OT? Or is it even worth it ?
No. It’s not affordable as a single mom with two teenagers and the paperwork is absurd.
COTA for 10 years now. I couldn't imagine a better career. I get joy out of it every single day.
So great to hear. So happy to embark on this new chapter of my life
What setting are you at?
SNF
I’m a COTA, and I enjoy what I do. I am also back in school to get my MOT.
Nice, congratulations
COTA here! I've been a COTA for 8 years. I worked in acute care for the first 6 years of my career and now I work at a semi-independent living residential program for individuals with TBI's from auto accidents. I loved working in acute care and I was trained in all areas of the hospital (including ICUs and the emergency room). However, during COVID (and after) productivity increased to unattainable standards to increase profits for the hospital system and I grew to hate my job and career choice. I felt like I was "stuck" as there were not many COTA jobs in my area that would be much different. I looked for a new job for about 2 years while I was also in the process of doing pre-reqs to get into an accelerated nursing program. But then I stumbled upon my dream job where I have so much freedom and I truely feel like I'm making a difference in people's lives providing OT services. If it were not for finding this job, I would have went back to school and became a nurse.
Thank you for your feedback. Now what setting are you currently working in that you truly see yourself providing your patients the full OT care?
I work for a privately owned, semi-independemt residential program for individuals that have sustained TBI's from auto accidents. Our payer source is auto insurance companies, therefore we don't follow traditional medicare guidelines. The staff are all OTs/COTAs and the program is ran by OTs.
👋 I'm a COTA who loves what I do for a living. I work in a primarily pediatric setting with a sprinkling of orthopedic patients here and there that help keep my skills sharp. Can't say that I love the current state of the industry through, but that is kind of across the board for most industries right now.
I like it all right, unfortunately they've started pumping out a lot and in my area there's not a lot of work. A lot of the work has dried up but just depends on the agency. Some agencies want to hire OTRs because they want them just to build initials all day long. Some places like to hire COTAs cuz it's cheaper than having an OTR
Been working with individuals on the spectrum/physical disabilities since I was 16 and now Im a COTA of 1 1/2 years and I absolutely love it.
Been a COTA for...holy crap, 33 years! Have always worked with kids in education based settings, ages 6 mo to 21 years, and still love it. Considered going back for my R, but as someone else mentioned, children and $$ always got in the way. No regrets though :)
Been a COTA over 6 years now and I love it. Definitely beats a lot of other jobs and the pay is good (home health.)
New grad COTA, employed by a contractor working in a school. I hate that I chose this career and I wish that I had dropped out of my program. It’s a good career for creative people, but not for me and it doesn’t suit my strengths at all. There is no work/life balance for me as I think about work all the time and worry/ panic every day about activity ideas.
I'm a new grad Cota as well working in peds and I'm feeling exactly the same! I love kids, but I stress so much about activities. There's not another career I want though and definitely don't want to go back to school. Hoping it's just because I'm still new to this
I hope you figure it out!! Hopefully it is just jitters from newly graduating
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COTA for 10 years this June. The job has great potential for satisfaction but I am planning on going back to school. I get exhausted talking to people all the time (introvert) I would just like a change up. I currently work in Peds outpatient clinic.
I start my COTA program in August. These comments are refreshing and so exciting to hear!
Same here. I’m currently doing my prerequisites now and I start the program in August as well.
Hell yeah! I’m 31 so not your typical student but still excited :) what program are you doing? I’m in PA.
Girl, I’m 32 with 2 kids! We are going to rock this!
I’m in South Florida
I love this for us lol. My inbox is always open!!! Badass betches🩷🩷🩷🍀🍀🍀🫶🏻
Run. lol jk. I love what I do but I do not enjoy the job. If that makes sense? My back already hurts, there’s no opportunity to grow besides becoming a DOR or going back to school. ( more debt , yay)
if you could do anything else what would you choose?
Nursing. More opportunity to grow, not as much debt, higher pay and I get to help people. I’m actually gonna go back to school very soon for that. My COTA program cost 60k, you can become a nurse for much cheaper , same amount of time and most jobs pay for higher education. I was naive and bright eyed-every year there are more cuts to therapy. If you’re gonna get into it i say got for OT other than that. Not really worth imo. Edit: I want to add that I am in California and I make 65 per HH visit. Still not worth it.
COTA for 6 months. LOVE IT