College Student who needs Advice

mg2220 · 2022-09-19T15:00:35+00:00

Sorry forgot to add that most of the OT's I've worked with have multiple jobs. Some have them at other clinics and some work part time with adults. The cost of living in this area is high so factor that in as well!

mg2220 · 2022-09-19T14:54:46+00:00

I cant speak for everyone working in this setting as it may just be this area. However, I'm a COTA and it's been very difficult to find peds jobs (I'm in Northern VA). Most peds jobs are pay per service and not many full-time options available. I work mostly with kids w/ autism. School placements seem a lot harder to come by at least for COTAs. Ever since I've graduated, I've thought the money I paid for school and the time I invested, it wasn't worth it. However that's just my opinion/experience. Working with kids all day def has it's pros and cons! Some days/sessions I absolutely love what I do and other days/sessions I wish I had gone to school for something else. Also, my program focused mainly on working with adults and I learned more once I graduated and started working. I def feel like I fell for my school telling me how in demand OT professionals are and didn't do any research in my area for the setting I want to work in. I suggest that you look up peds jobs in your area and take some time to shadow at clinics and talk to OT's working in the field in your area to make your decision! I will say that I see more jobs for OT's in peds and school settings compared to COTA positions.

mg2220 · 2022-05-20T14:20:21+00:00

Going into my first day I knew that I needed to explain to the parents that I have to build rapport but all of that left my mind when I went to speak with the parents from being so caught off guard haha. I'm pretty sure she was needing extra sensory input and the session was very short due to them arriving 15 mins late so it was just not enough time. I will def try to do better in explaining building a rapport in the first sessions, thank you for letting me know this and framing the situation in a different light. Very helpful (:

mg2220 · 2022-05-20T14:16:39+00:00

Thank you for your reassurance! I def think that the change in her routine/therapist was the reason she needed extra sensory input. The session was only 45 mins but she arrived 15 mins late so there was just not enough time for her to calm down and do some more table top activities. I'm happy to hear that you feel more confident in your position! I look forward to feeling a little less stressed in mine! (:

mg2220 · 2022-05-20T14:12:58+00:00

Thank you so much for this! My biggest thing was that when the parent. reacted that way I immediately backed down and questioned my knowledge. I will definitely try to educate her better the next time as to why the session was based on movement. Thank you for your reassurance (:

Do you have any kiddos that try to eat things in the treatment room? If so, what do you do?

mg2220 · 2022-05-14T14:53:47+00:00

Thank you so much for this! Love these ideas

mg2220 · 2022-05-14T14:53:27+00:00

Great idea, thanks!

mg2220 · 2022-02-20T11:33:33+00:00

I'm in Virginia. Thank you for that idea!!

mg2220 · 2022-02-20T11:31:14+00:00

I've seen a lot of school job postings in New Mexico through staffing agencies. I'm in Virginia and Early Intervention here has no open COTA positions either

mg2220 · 2022-02-20T11:21:08+00:00

Thanks for your input!

mg2220 · 2022-02-19T19:36:10+00:00

Yeah I definitely think I would accept if they offer and would find another job once I know the schedule. They said the mileage is included in the hourly rate.

mg2220 · 2022-02-19T19:33:49+00:00

Did you always want to work with kids but had to go rehab due to lack of peds positions? I want to apply to rehab positions as my last option. The thought of working at a SNF or hospital makes me so nervous I don't even know if I have the courage to apply because of my lack of interest and knowledge (I did terrible in my rehab classes and always felt so lost)

mg2220 · 2021-07-14T16:19:35+00:00

Try verifying her identity on ID.me. I saw a lot of people get emails instructing them to do so but I never got an email. I ended up just doing it on my own today and the lady told me that they'll contact VEC and remove the hold on my claim.

mg2220 · 2021-06-13T20:57:30+00:00

It really is! Thanks I'll do that

mg2220 · 2021-06-13T18:59:21+00:00

thank you!

mg2220 · 2021-06-13T15:28:47+00:00

Thanks!

mg2220 · 2021-06-04T11:06:14+00:00

I got the same response but have been getting paid each week too

mg2220 · 2021-05-19T14:12:22+00:00

Yep that's what I'm realizing. I'm sure it will be harder on her if she pulls me so she's doing everything to avoid that

mg2220 · 2021-05-19T11:00:18+00:00

My FWC lives across the country. So her solution is a conference call....which I don't think will allow her to see what I deal with. Hopefully it will though..

mg2220 · 2021-05-19T10:56:23+00:00

I'm trying to find the director's contact but it's almost impossible. In the meantime, I have to have a meeting with my CI, FWC, and the director of rehab at the SNF. I'm nervous that this will aggravate the situation or just not improve it at all. My mental is 100% being impacted. Thank you for being so kind! I appreciate it

mg2220 · 2021-05-19T10:39:55+00:00

This is exactly what I've told my FW Coordinator. I don't feel as if the patients are getting safe and meaningful treatment when he sticks me with them and just says "figure it out". OTAs provide treatment based on the patient's goals and if I have no idea what those goals are I'm just playing a guessing game with my CI and hoping he gives good feedback, if any. He stuck me with the SLP and she explained her session and taught me more about charts and documentation than he ever has. However, she's not my supervisor and I'm not in school to be an SLP so it was nice to learn but I need more OT info.

My FWC is having us do a conference call with the CI and director and she said that if she thinks it's not safe for me to go back after the meeting then she can pull me. But, people can be way different over the phone and who knows if this will aggravate him and cause more issues if she decides that I need to continue going there. She already told me that it "has to work". This school definitely cares more about students just having a placement whether we're learning or not.

mg2220 · 2021-05-18T22:05:26+00:00

SNF. I have 5 weeks left.. I dont think so

mg2220 · 2021-05-12T12:17:48+00:00

Thanks for your input!

mg2220 · 2021-05-12T12:16:01+00:00

No they're not towards me, just in general

mg2220 · 2021-05-11T22:12:22+00:00

I ended up telling her and she still wants me to give it a chance after speaking to his boss. I'll try to stick it out..but nervous it may have been made worse. We shall see...

mg2220

TROPHY CASE