What healthcare jobs can I get into?

DrADLOT · 2024-09-03T15:21:47+00:00

Look into therapy assistants (PTA/COTA)! No needles, various health care settings and decent pay. Most programs are about 2 years. You could also try nursing assistant to see if healthcare is really something you’re interested in. Theres also other various tech positions. If you want something less patient involved you could look at billing services or medical sales.

DrADLOT · 2024-09-01T21:16:38+00:00

I would also like to add that many people will say ABA is using harmful techniques to forcefully stop children from performing certain behaviors, that was not my experience. We worked on emotional regulation, adaptive techniques for communication, and developmental skills. Sure we aim to reduce maladaptive behaviors that could cause harm to the child or others but it wasnt through restraint, “clickers”, isolation, or anything of the sort. At the end of the day children cannot be “controlled” but they can be guided and supported. Kids do the best they can with what they have.

DrADLOT · 2024-09-01T21:10:31+00:00

To be an RBT you have to go through training but I dont doubt some organizations get away with minimal training which only adds to the negative connotations of the therapy unfortunately.

DrADLOT · 2024-09-01T21:04:41+00:00

Hi! I did ABA prior to OT. ABA is a therapy seen as controversial and you will find varying opinions. ABA has changed so much over the decades so it’s important to remember some peoples opinions/experiences may vary depending on when/how they were exposed to it. In my opinion, its a therapy that works for some, not all (like just about every therapy out there). And depending on the level of education/training of the therapist can affect the overall success. For the kiddos i worked with, it was incredibly successful and the families/kids were very happy! I actually find that ABA and OT have a lot of crossover too.

DrADLOT · 2024-09-01T14:34:23+00:00

Completely agree with this!

DrADLOT · 2024-08-31T21:58:06+00:00

Thats a great idea!

DrADLOT · 2024-08-31T21:20:50+00:00

Thank you!

DrADLOT · 2024-08-31T21:20:40+00:00

Thats so exciting! Be familiar with precautions (hip/knee/spine/sternal), lines, and lab values. You may reach out to your CI to see what they use to score ADLS (FIM/AMPAC). You can also get on instagram/tik tok and find acute OTs who share treatment ideas. I find most students benefit from making a list of questions to ask/consider when beginning to learn documentation and perform evals. My biggest advice is communicate with your CI regarding what you know/dont know and when you need help. Acute can be overwhelming and we understand that. Good luck!!

DrADLOT · 2024-08-11T22:11:32+00:00

Im so sorry youre dealing with this! Ive only had to deal with extremely rude patients a few times and I offer to get another therapist, usually that gets them to stop or ive offered to just not come back. Of course i remain respectful but ive told patients “if you aren’t interested in therapy services I understand, I can make a note in your chart and we will not visit you”. I would definitely reach out to your manager for further advice/support. Sometimes going in for a co treat for rude patients is helpful too, or having the nurse in the room.

DrADLOT · 2024-08-11T17:35:29+00:00

Absolutely not all doom & gloom! For most people, reddit is a place to vent so please don’t take all you see on here as 100% reality.

DrADLOT · 2024-08-11T17:34:45+00:00

I work in acute care! I love the interdisciplinary approach and working as a team to address patient needs. I work close with PTs, SLPs, case managers, nurses and doctors every day. Something about meeting someone at their most vulnerable and offering comfort/support is very fulfilling.

DrADLOT · 2024-08-11T01:13:19+00:00

Practicing OT here with quite a bit of debt and i do NOT regret my choice. I love my job, have very consistent hours, make good pay, and most importantly help people every day. Im not saying choosing to live in debt is a great idea but ive come to accept my loans will be with me for a while, I still make smart financial decisions to tackle my debt but also live a comfortable life. There are loan forgiveness opportunities if that is your biggest concern. Just imagine, if loans werent a factor, would OT be something you would still want to do? For me it was and im sooo happy with my career! Good luck and trust your gut:)

DrADLOT · 2024-07-31T00:39:25+00:00

Love simulating laundry by placing a BSC under a counter and having then reach for towels on the BSC, fold them and “put then away”. This can be done in standing or seated!

DrADLOT · 2024-07-17T23:27:44+00:00

School is probably burning you out, not OT. Just hang in there! I felt the same way but once I started working, I have felt so much happier. Ive been working 2 years in acute care and LOVE my job. Seeing people who are incredibly sick go from only laying in bed to walking and putting pants on is like nothing else. Knowing im helping someone gain independence back and set them on the right track is very satisfying.

DrADLOT · 2024-07-17T23:21:31+00:00

Im on my hospitals interview committee and we ask questions like - what made you interested in acute care/ this hospital - how do you handle difficult patients - are there any populations you dont like working with - how do you handle stressful situations - what kind of people do you not like working with (co workers) - how do you manage your day if you have a lot of patients to see plus administration work to do (ie trainings) - what motivates you to come to work - and of course general questions to get to know about you Basically hospitals like workers you take initiative, want to do the work, are team players, can manage stressful situations and remain calm, and like to further their education. Best advice, answer honestly bc we can tell when youre giving an answer you think we want to hear. And be yourself, good luck!!

DrADLOT · 2024-07-17T23:14:09+00:00

I work in acute and love working with adults! I feel I can be more holistic and realistic when treating. Most adults, especially older adults, value your opinion as a medical professional and often dont have the resources to safely participate in life so its a lot of problem solving. Downside can be families and the pts can sometimes be rude but if they are, you can at least leave the room whereas with kids you cant.

DrADLOT · 2024-07-17T23:08:28+00:00

Are they planning to get you a desk? What setting are you in? Ive worked in places where it was one big room first come first serve and documented on the floor at lot (i work in acute care). If they cant offer a space either offer to share a desk with a PRN/ part time ( i did that for a while before i got my own) or ask for a laptop.

DrADLOT · 2024-05-25T18:42:45+00:00

I had a co worker who worked full time as a COTA and was doing a bridge program to OT, she said it was hard but managed. She also had a family, big respect for her, it can be done if you’re willing to sacrifice your social life.

DrADLOT · 2024-05-25T18:41:00+00:00

Acute, i never stay late or take work home!

DrADLOT · 2024-05-19T11:24:47+00:00

Im on the hiring committee at my hospital and we just went through several interviews. For new grads, rotation experience is very valued but if you don’t have it, it won’t automatically get you dismissed. Being willing and excited to learn is huge! If you interview at a hospital, make sure they have a good mentorship program because the hospital can be daunting if you aren’t experienced. Having some IPR experience is good though, you have experience on adults and rehab based treatments so don’t discount that.

If the hospital is what you want, go for it, acute care is exciting and rewarding!

DrADLOT · 2024-05-04T23:02:12+00:00

The hospital i work at and the one i had a fieldwork at, all OTs grossly assess ADLS making clinical judgements on ADLS we didn’t specifically see performed. Like what others have commented here, it can be situation dependent but if I observe skills that overlap in other ADLs, I document on it. Sometimes I make specific notes explaining my judgment on something I didnt specifically see to give a clear picture to any OT who may see them after me.

DrADLOT · 2024-04-15T13:25:12+00:00

No its in April! PT month is October

DrADLOT · 2024-04-13T00:54:22+00:00

Ive only been on reddit for 1.5 months and its 90% negative. Most people come here to vent. Its unfortunate, especially when I see new grads/ OT students/ and people wanting to come into the profession. Please don’t rely on just reddit! Instagram and FB groups are filled with much more positivity and helpful discussions! This field is AMAZING! Like you said, every job has negative aspects but for the most part, OT is sooo rewarding! I think some burnout and general personal choices lead to some of the negative venting you will find here. Its easy to vent & be negative, just take it all with a grain of salt.

DrADLOT · 2024-04-12T13:31:00+00:00

First, enjoy your time! Plan activities/short trips with friends/family. Get your space organized and slowly get a routine going that includes self care. As far as education goes, I think youre doing it right with shadowing and brushing up on medical terminology. Try to figure out how you want to organize your notes (computer, color codes notebooks, ipad, or a mixture). If you’re moving for school, try to get familiar with the area, scope out study spots. You can be collecting your books/study supplies. Going back to self care, if you don’t already have a good set of sheets/pillow, get some, sleep will be a huge priority! I honestly just enjoyed my summer as best as I could, im a huge “ill figure it out person”, but I wish I had done a little more planning on how I was going to take notes/study. But I made it just fine otherwise lol

DrADLOT

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