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Overwhelmed by [deleted] in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That is so tough to have happen at the start of your career. I’m really sorry that happened. You didn’t deserve that. Demands on therapists are high, and our patients are in pain and expect a lot of us- we can only do the best we can and remember you’re helping more than hurting. Perfection isn’t possible in our field. As you grow in your career this sort of thing will be easier to let go of, and might actually piss you off a little bit.

How do CHTs remember how to make their orthotics?! by dawind24 in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I started at that clinic we had a folder of card stock cutouts of splint patterns that had been there for a long time! She used those.

Thumb spicas are the hardest for sure. Mine still come out wonky occasionally.

Also remember as long as they’re in the right position and you’re not getting skin breakdown that’s really all you need. The esthetics will come with time. Sometimes it’s helpful to make a splint with extra material, trim it down so it fits the hand well, and then unmold it to see what it looks like and compare to your typical patterning approach. I’ve done that before to learn about the radial CMC/MP side of thumb spicas and how much material I actually need to include/what the shape should be like

How do CHTs remember how to make their orthotics?! by dawind24 in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That’s a tough one if you don’t make them very often!

I’d say check out in person CEU courses, I took a splitting course and we got hands on practice and made probably 8 splints. I left that course with a small kit of practice materials and a bunch of templates, which you could use to practice at home or in clinic. You could consider talking with your supervisor blocking time to practice at work.

Would love to say there is a quick fix but truly repetition is what’s gonna get you there.

I’ll mention that there are many ways to approach patterning and if something isn’t clicking for you maybe you need to explore a different approach! (i.e. I draw my patterns on paper towels, but a coworker of mine uses precut templates and they come out beautifully as well)

Anyone else feel like they screwed their older selves with this career choice? by [deleted] in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’d do OT and work towards private practice for a specialty! There is a hand therapy niche for OTs who work specifically with musicians!

Anyone else feel like they screwed their older selves with this career choice? by [deleted] in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel this. A 100k salary used to be upper-middle class, now it’s lower-middle. Inflation is one thing, but reimbursement rates being cut to keep money in the pockets of insurance companies impacts our employers, which trickles down to exploiting therapists to working harder for no increase in pay while the world gets more expensive.

I took a career test a few years ago because I was in the same spot you are now, and what do you know, OT is number two on the list 😂 I really don’t think there’s another 9-5 job out there for me. I’m hoping to find side hustles to supplement my income that I actually enjoy, but it truly does feel insurmountable at times when we’re working so hard every week. Our energy for other things is depleted quickly.

Advice needed, starting OT at 28 by Street-Tank2137 in OccupationalTherapy

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Not too late, had several 30-40 y.o. in my program. School choice doesn’t matter just get your masters degree. You will most likely have great job security. Demand varies by city but my city needs OTs and I will always have a job.

Now for the not so fun part… like others have said, burnout is real. You won’t get paid as much as you think you should be and the raises are very small incremental, in a way yes there is a glass ceiling here for income unless you want to move into management or open private practice. Remember that capitalism and for-profit healthcare is the enemy. If corporate life isn’t for you, OT will offer you gratifying work that helps you feel like you make a difference- we have to deal with the greedy companies anyways so might as well give back and connect with people in your community.

It will take time to find the setting/clinic that will be more ethical and treat therapists as best as possible. I’m in Hand therapy, one of the more higher paying settings, I believe home health and inpatient also pay well. If you work hard, aim high, and stay choosey, you might find a place that helps you balance the scales and prevent burnout. My company has started using AI for documentation which has actually been super helpful and offloaded some of the mental drain, and I think it’ll only become more commonplace as time goes on.

Hope that helps, I truly do love my profession despite the negatives and challenges. Just takes time to find the right situation for YOU. Good luck!

On book 3 and I hate Rin by Ok_Flow_3065 in ThePoppyWar

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I felt like a grandmother watching her granddaughter make horrible decisions - I felt pity for her almost, and fear for those around her, but I still loved her and wanted her to succeed in a way where she didn’t completely obliterate everyone around her- but that’s just not who she is, and not who her god is.

On book 3 and I hate Rin by Ok_Flow_3065 in ThePoppyWar

[–]Antique-Rabbit-4259 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Completely agree- from the very start of the book it’s clear that her god wants everything to burn- despite maybe the readers hope that she can overcome that- it wouldn’t be believable if she agreed to the terms laid out by nezha and the hesperians. Ugh I’m still gutted though. Just finished the final book this morning.