Sooo awesome to see this video!!! I just got a phone call today that I’m accepted into my OTA program and I am so excited so this was so cool to see ☺️
I can't wait to begin my OTA program this fall. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time lol. Thank you for posting "a day in the life" video...very helpful and informative.
Oh I like your bright energy!❤️ and I have some questions, Does this job need hard physical strength? So Don’t you feel exhausted well? I’m afraid of my weak health.. thanks for commenting in advance!
Hi!! Thank you!! The level of physical strength you need depends on the setting you are in. You may be lifting grown adults or children or you may find a position that doesn’t require much physical strength. That is the great thing about Occupational Therapy - it is so versatile for the therapist and client!
I am so excite for you Carly that you found such an amazing job that you love so much🎉You have such a sweet kind personality and they are blessed to have you💜 I am interested in possibly becoming a cota and also wpuld love the pediatric field. I have worked with infants and children at day cares. Its been very difficult finding a pediatric office that will let me shadow. Any advice?
Hey Carly! Congrats on the social media manager position for the clinic! I’m in my first level II fieldwork location in outpatient peds and 4th week in Any tips for how to get comfortable with leading the session and what your approach is to creating activities that are just right for the child? I get nervous and feel like I’m doing things wrong
Hey Will!! Thank you :) Congratulations on FW ll!!!! When I first began, I wanted to have everything planned out, but as you probably know, that definitely doesn’t always work. That only works for some kids. I get overwhelmed with trying to address all goals - recently I have transitioned to choosing 3-4 goals for an hour session to focus on and 2-3 goals for a 30min session to focus on over the course of four weeks! This way they are recalling honing in on specific goals and making progress on goals. This also helps you keep your mind clear and on track. Some days I choose a specific activity that I use with most kids and just grade & modify. Other days everything is just up in the air. Since I am a new grad, I am very much still learning new things everyday. Recently I have been allowing my kids to fully drive the activities we do whether that’s giving them choices to choose from (to ensure they address goals) or just allowing them to choose anything. It has made my treatments so much more fun and effective. Remember - OT asks “What is important to YOU!” We all learn better when we’re interested and excited in something - not just forced to do it. Allow your client to try and fail. OT practitioners are usually very helpful people - that’s why we’re in the profession. I would let my kid try for about 15 sec and then help - now I allow them to keep trying until they get it or get frustrated - then we work through it. It takes patience on my part. Write! Things! Down! I always have a list on a white board or paper or my computer to keep my mind on track. Love! On! Them! We can make a much larger impact than just addressing goals. You have a set amount of time to show them love, make them feel seen and heard. Get to know the parents. Carry over is SO IMPORTANT. The majority of therapy occurs at home. Listen to their concerns, take them and do research, go the extra mile for them. Give yourself grace. You are learning! Ask allllllll the questions. Ask for help, ask for ideas, ask for clarification. That’s how you learn. Let me know if I can help more!! Thank you for watching!!
@@marlafritts3071 wow yes it only been 4 years for me and I will be starting next year around this time I’m so excited to get out of miserable depressing nursing! Goodluck to you I hope u really like it
Depressing doesn’t even describe it lol it’s beyond depressing it is sooooooo miserable it’s sad lol goodluck to you I applied I should be staring next year in the fall
Heyyy Carly, I was just accepted into an OTA program and I wanted to reach out to ask you, what should I be doing to prepare myself. ??Also how did you retain the information because I know it will be a lot. Any tips or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. ❤️
Thanks for showing. I just started my second year of OTA school. I think I want to do school based. Do you feel the same type of satisfaction with school based as you do with outpatient peds? Does it feel differently?
Hi T!! Congratulations on starting your second year! School-based was not for me. I need a schedule and outpatient gives me that. Being in the school, I created my own schedule and I did not do well. Also, my kids had tx times ranging from 15 min to 30 min, some weekly, some twice a month, some once a month, or even consults once a month or once a quarter. For me and my tx style, 15min to treat was not something I was comfortable with - atleast right now as a new grad. I was also working alone in the schools so it was a long process to get any questions answered. I didn’t have someone to just walk across the hall and ask. Some people LOVE school-based and every school is different. If you do well with making your own schedule, being very flexible, coming up with treatments on the fly with little supplies, good communication with other professionals, are self-motivated, and a problem solver, then schools may be for you! Definitely try it out! I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be in the schools for a year. Thank you for watching!!
Hi I’m thinking about becoming an ota and I heard rumors that pay is not that great right now and that people aren’t getting jobs I was wondering if that was true I am so nervous that all my preparations won’t be satisfactory
Hi!! Thanks for watching!! Salary depends on many factors - experience, location, setting, responsibilities, etc. The job market fluctuates just like every career. When you’re in the business of PEOPLE, you’ll never be short of an opportunity. OT is diverse and broad, you just have to think outside of the box and take risks!
Is it possible to get a job as an OTA with and associates degree? I'm an early ed educator... So of course I dedicated 4 years to get a bachelor's degree in education... Plus I also have a master's degree. But honestly...idk how long I can stay in the education field.... I still want to help kids. But I was thinking maybe in a different way.... Like Pediatric OTA.
Hello, is it true that OTA is a dying field ? I'm in my senior year of high-school and I'm interested in becoming an OTA or PTA but I keep seeing that apparently both fields and dying out : (
Hi there! In my opinion, the field is not dying out. Job opportunities rise and fall just like any other profession. OT is a holistic, broad, and powerful profession. With our world moving in a more natural, therapy accepting, holistic way, I would say that OT is going to grow even more. We need people advocating and educating for the profession. If it is your passion to help people and change their lives, then I wouldn’t let those people hold you back! ❤️
@@carlythecota hi 😊 I want to ask you something, is there a plenty of job opportunities for occupational therapy assistant ✅ I want to know this before I look into shawdoing.i am looking into shadowing ot, ota , pt , and slp.out of all four which career had tye most job opportunities in us
OTA and CNA are not similar in the way you would think, but they could have a lot of similarities depending on the setting. In a SNF, you will often find yourself working on ADLs (activities of daily living). This includes hygiene, feeding, leisure activities, health management, etc. This includes ensuring safety of the patient while toileting, adapting the environment, teaching energy conservation, etc. If a patient needs help with something, then you help, even if it may be “the CNA’s job.” While I was in fieldwork at a SNF I helped patients toilet safely, changed briefs, cleaned up accidents, got soaked while bathing a patient, brushed mats out of hair, etc. As a COTA, your job is to help people live life to the fullest of their abilities, whatever that means for them. Hope this helps!
What is the difference between OTA vs COTA? I am little confused😮😢. I was about to study the CDA but i spoke a teacher and she told become a teacher is not worthy thats why she quick and she advised me to go college and do OT assistant.
OTA: Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA/L: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed Teaching is definitely hard! If you have a passion for teaching, I would definitely recommend exploring OTA. The opportunity in the field is much greater. When I was growing up, many people told me that I would make a great special education teacher, I agreed, but I didn’t want to be in a classroom. OTA fits my life and the way my mind works so well. I see a kid for an hour, and then they’re on their way. 🥰
Hi!! This will depend on the place of employment. My place of employment did not at first but then due to Medicaid guidelines, they do now. Thank you for watching and commenting :)
Pediatric positions are notoriously harder to find simply because most pediatric positions want someone with experience. This is why volunteering and shadowing prior to school is crucial. PTA and OTA are so different in their treatment that it is difficult for me to say whether the job availability and pay is a deciding factor. PT typically gets paid more, but it all depends on your location, experience, competencies, and setting. Choose the one that you are most passionate about and then pursue it hard. ❤️
Hi Madeline!! Yay!! I worked at a school that had blended classrooms of typical and atypical students. That definitely helped prepare me for school and work! When I began OTA school, I did not work. Thank you for watching & commenting!!
@@carlythecota thanks for your comment :) and can I be an occupational therapist after a certain experience year? I'm thinking of this job when I immigrant to USA, so I have some questions haha. thank you for your comment in advance !
@@carlythecota I'd love to hear just how you are settling in to your job and if it feels different now that you have been there awhile. If your work life balance is bringing you happiness and what that looks like for you. Your highs and lows. Maybe some lessons you may have learned on the job. I really enjoy your content!
Hi! Some people like to see what a facility looks like. Just as someone who is interested in culinary would be interested to see different kitchens. Due to HIPAA laws, I am unable to show actual treatments. Your comment has given me the idea that it may be helpful to give treatment ideas and possibly simulate treatments! Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any more questions :)
So I’m in my second semester of my OTA program and I’m having trouble with grading / remembering movements and of course soap notes 😂🫣. Anything you suggest to help?
Yay!! So exciting!! Don’t stress too much about SOAP notes! Just do what your school wants you to and it’ll be completely different when you get in the field. Tell what you did, why you did it, the assist needed, and why it was skilled. (Why it needed to be YOU to do the treatment and not a parent.) It really just takes practice. For grading/remembering movements, do you mean like manual muscle testing?? Give me a little more info on that please and I’ll see if I can help :)
Sooo awesome to see this video!!! I just got a phone call today that I’m accepted into my OTA program and I am so excited so this was so cool to see ☺️
CONGRATULATIONS ELLA!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!! Let me know if you have any questions! My email is carlylynnbrady@gmail.com!!
I can't wait to begin my OTA program this fall. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time lol. Thank you for posting "a day in the life" video...very helpful and informative.
Congratulations!! Thank you for watching!
So glad I found your page! You are so sweet & genuine. Thank you for sharing all that you do ☺️
You made me smile!! Thank you for watching!! ❤️🥹
Oh I like your bright energy!❤️ and I have some questions, Does this job need hard physical strength? So Don’t you feel exhausted well? I’m afraid of my weak health.. thanks for commenting in advance!
Hi!! Thank you!! The level of physical strength you need depends on the setting you are in. You may be lifting grown adults or children or you may find a position that doesn’t require much physical strength. That is the great thing about Occupational Therapy - it is so versatile for the therapist and client!
Thinking of doing this I'm 27 and would love to know more about a normal day At work and pay
I am so excite for you Carly that you found such an amazing job that you love so much🎉You have such a sweet kind personality and they are blessed to have you💜
I am interested in possibly becoming a cota and also wpuld love the pediatric field.
I have worked with infants and children at day cares.
Its been very difficult finding a pediatric office that will let me shadow.
Any advice?
Thank you! Just keep reaching out! Send your resume, be flexible, be professional.
Hey Carly! Congrats on the social media manager position for the clinic!
I’m in my first level II fieldwork location in outpatient peds and 4th week in
Any tips for how to get comfortable with leading the session and what your approach is to creating activities that are just right for the child? I get nervous and feel like I’m doing things wrong
Hey Will!! Thank you :) Congratulations on FW ll!!!!
When I first began, I wanted to have everything planned out, but as you probably know, that definitely doesn’t always work. That only works for some kids. I get overwhelmed with trying to address all goals - recently I have transitioned to choosing 3-4 goals for an hour session to focus on and 2-3 goals for a 30min session to focus on over the course of four weeks! This way they are recalling honing in on specific goals and making progress on goals. This also helps you keep your mind clear and on track.
Some days I choose a specific activity that I use with most kids and just grade & modify. Other days everything is just up in the air. Since I am a new grad, I am very much still learning new things everyday. Recently I have been allowing my kids to fully drive the activities we do whether that’s giving them choices to choose from (to ensure they address goals) or just allowing them to choose anything. It has made my treatments so much more fun and effective. Remember - OT asks “What is important to YOU!” We all learn better when we’re interested and excited in something - not just forced to do it.
Allow your client to try and fail. OT practitioners are usually very helpful people - that’s why we’re in the profession. I would let my kid try for about 15 sec and then help - now I allow them to keep trying until they get it or get frustrated - then we work through it. It takes patience on my part.
Write! Things! Down! I always have a list on a white board or paper or my computer to keep my mind on track.
Love! On! Them! We can make a much larger impact than just addressing goals. You have a set amount of time to show them love, make them feel seen and heard.
Get to know the parents. Carry over is SO IMPORTANT. The majority of therapy occurs at home. Listen to their concerns, take them and do research, go the extra mile for them.
Give yourself grace. You are learning! Ask allllllll the questions. Ask for help, ask for ideas, ask for clarification. That’s how you learn.
Let me know if I can help more!! Thank you for watching!!
@@carlythecota thank you so much for replying! And for the details!! I appreciate you! Looking forward to more videos!
Im Going to do RN TO OTA or PTA haven’t decided yet lol
OTA for suurrreee ;))) what better profession to be in than helping people live their life to the fullest?!
I've been a RN for 11 years and starting a OTA program in 4 mos. So nice to see a fellow nurse wanting to make this transition as well.
@@marlafritts3071 wow yes it only been 4 years for me and I will be starting next year around this time I’m so excited to get out of miserable depressing nursing! Goodluck to you I hope u really like it
Depressing doesn’t even describe it lol it’s beyond depressing it is sooooooo miserable it’s sad lol goodluck to you I applied I should be staring next year in the fall
Heyyy Carly, I was just accepted into an OTA program and I wanted to reach out to ask you, what should I be doing to prepare myself. ??Also how did you retain the information because I know it will be a lot. Any tips or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. ❤️
Thanks for showing. I just started my second year of OTA school. I think I want to do school based. Do you feel the same type of satisfaction with school based as you do with outpatient peds? Does it feel differently?
Hi T!! Congratulations on starting your second year!
School-based was not for me. I need a schedule and outpatient gives me that. Being in the school, I created my own schedule and I did not do well. Also, my kids had tx times ranging from 15 min to 30 min, some weekly, some twice a month, some once a month, or even consults once a month or once a quarter. For me and my tx style, 15min to treat was not something I was comfortable with - atleast right now as a new grad.
I was also working alone in the schools so it was a long process to get any questions answered. I didn’t have someone to just walk across the hall and ask. Some people LOVE school-based and every school is different. If you do well with making your own schedule, being very flexible, coming up with treatments on the fly with little supplies, good communication with other professionals, are self-motivated, and a problem solver, then schools may be for you!
Definitely try it out! I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be in the schools for a year.
Thank you for watching!!
Hi I’m thinking about becoming an ota and I heard rumors that pay is not that great right now and that people aren’t getting jobs I was wondering if that was true I am so nervous that all my preparations won’t be satisfactory
Hi!! Thanks for watching!! Salary depends on many factors - experience, location, setting, responsibilities, etc. The job market fluctuates just like every career. When you’re in the business of PEOPLE, you’ll never be short of an opportunity. OT is diverse and broad, you just have to think outside of the box and take risks!
Is it possible to get a job as an OTA with and associates degree? I'm an early ed educator... So of course I dedicated 4 years to get a bachelor's degree in education... Plus I also have a master's degree.
But honestly...idk how long I can stay in the education field.... I still want to help kids. But I was thinking maybe in a different way.... Like Pediatric OTA.
Hi! An Occupational Therapy Assistant degree is an associates degree!
Hello, is it true that OTA is a dying field ?
I'm in my senior year of high-school and I'm interested in becoming an OTA or PTA but I keep seeing that apparently both fields and dying out
: (
Hi there!
In my opinion, the field is not dying out. Job opportunities rise and fall just like any other profession. OT is a holistic, broad, and powerful profession. With our world moving in a more natural, therapy accepting, holistic way, I would say that OT is going to grow even more. We need people advocating and educating for the profession. If it is your passion to help people and change their lives, then I wouldn’t let those people hold you back! ❤️
@@carlythecota hi 😊 I want to ask you something, is there a plenty of job opportunities for occupational therapy assistant ✅ I want to know this before I look into shawdoing.i am looking into shadowing ot, ota , pt , and slp.out of all four which career had tye most job opportunities in us
Hi! Honestly, I do not know the answer to this question. It will all depend on where you live and the setting you desire!
Would someone coming from a nursing assistant background be good at this? I’m assuming there are a lot of similarities
I think yes! Your knowledge would be so beneficial!
Yes , also is cna and OTA similar? Do you have to clean bottums, and wipe patients and bath patients like the cna does ?
OTA and CNA are not similar in the way you would think, but they could have a lot of similarities depending on the setting. In a SNF, you will often find yourself working on ADLs (activities of daily living). This includes hygiene, feeding, leisure activities, health management, etc. This includes ensuring safety of the patient while toileting, adapting the environment, teaching energy conservation, etc. If a patient needs help with something, then you help, even if it may be “the CNA’s job.” While I was in fieldwork at a SNF I helped patients toilet safely, changed briefs, cleaned up accidents, got soaked while bathing a patient, brushed mats out of hair, etc. As a COTA, your job is to help people live life to the fullest of their abilities, whatever that means for them.
Hope this helps!
So happy to see ur nails done in the health field lbs I know I’m safe then to apply for this field lol
Definitely a valid concern! Different places of employment have varying policies, but where I work is good with our nails being done!
What is the difference between OTA vs COTA? I am little confused😮😢. I was about to study the CDA but i spoke a teacher and she told become a teacher is not worthy thats why she quick and she advised me to go college and do OT assistant.
OTA: Occupational Therapy Assistant
COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
COTA/L: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed
Teaching is definitely hard! If you have a passion for teaching, I would definitely recommend exploring OTA. The opportunity in the field is much greater. When I was growing up, many people told me that I would make a great special education teacher, I agreed, but I didn’t want to be in a classroom. OTA fits my life and the way my mind works so well. I see a kid for an hour, and then they’re on their way. 🥰
Do OTA's need to the COVID vaccine to secure employment? Just curious! What was your experience with this? Thank you!!
Hi!! This will depend on the place of employment. My place of employment did not at first but then due to Medicaid guidelines, they do now.
Thank you for watching and commenting :)
Can you do a video on like various jobs you can get as an OTA?
I will put this video idea on my list!! Thank you for watching!!
Is it hard to find a job as a pediatric OTA? Would PTA be better for job availability, pay?
Pediatric positions are notoriously harder to find simply because most pediatric positions want someone with experience. This is why volunteering and shadowing prior to school is crucial. PTA and OTA are so different in their treatment that it is difficult for me to say whether the job availability and pay is a deciding factor. PT typically gets paid more, but it all depends on your location, experience, competencies, and setting. Choose the one that you are most passionate about and then pursue it hard. ❤️
hey! i am in school to become an ota! when you were going to school did you have a job that was related to occupational therapy?
Hi Madeline!! Yay!!
I worked at a school that had blended classrooms of typical and atypical students. That definitely helped prepare me for school and work! When I began OTA school, I did not work.
Thank you for watching & commenting!!
Thanks for your video ! Can I ask the way to becom😂 ota? Do I need to go to school?
Yes! An occupational therapy assistant degree is a 2 year degree.
@@carlythecota thanks for your comment :) and can I be an occupational therapist after a certain experience year? I'm thinking of this job when I immigrant to USA, so I have some questions haha. thank you for your comment in advance !
Is this lta 2 years diploma and is this program easy ?
An occupational therapy assistant degree is an associates degree. Typically a two year degree. The program is not easy, but it is so worth it!
life update pleasse
coming soon!! any questions??
@@carlythecota I'd love to hear just how you are settling in to your job and if it feels different now that you have been there awhile. If your work life balance is bringing you happiness and what that looks like for you. Your highs and lows. Maybe some lessons you may have learned on the job. I really enjoy your content!
How is this informative about being an OTA? All you did was walk us through your facility. LOL
Hi! Some people like to see what a facility looks like. Just as someone who is interested in culinary would be interested to see different kitchens. Due to HIPAA laws, I am unable to show actual treatments. Your comment has given me the idea that it may be helpful to give treatment ideas and possibly simulate treatments! Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any more questions :)
So I’m in my second semester of my OTA program and I’m having trouble with grading / remembering movements and of course soap notes 😂🫣. Anything you suggest to help?
Yay!! So exciting!!
Don’t stress too much about SOAP notes! Just do what your school wants you to and it’ll be completely different when you get in the field. Tell what you did, why you did it, the assist needed, and why it was skilled. (Why it needed to be YOU to do the treatment and not a parent.) It really just takes practice.
For grading/remembering movements, do you mean like manual muscle testing?? Give me a little more info on that please and I’ll see if I can help :)