No Pediatric COTA jobs!!

amother

Fri, May 17 2019, 3:36 pm

Ok so I just need to vent. I've been looking for a very long time for a pediatric ot/cota job in the lkwd amd surrounding areas and have not found anything!! I sacrificed so much for schooling and am so passionate about this field. Some of my classmates ended up taking office jobs. I refuse to give up.

thunderstorm

Fri, May 17 2019, 3:45 pm

I feel for you. My MIL also had the same issue ( different area) and she only wanted geriatric because she tried pediatric and hated it. However she found something after a long long time two hours away and traveled daily until it became unbearable and she gave it up. She loved her job but couldn't handle the commute. I hope you find something

amother

Lavender

Fri, May 17 2019, 4:02 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Do they want OTs? Or is it experience? Im just wondering if we can help you problem solve.

amother

Smokey

Fri, May 17 2019, 4:21 pm

Can you work privately? I took my son to the sensory gym through board of ed last year but felt he needed additional one on one- I hired an OT to come to my house once a week for private pay. Can you do that? A COTA might be attractive to people if the cost is less.

amother

Cerulean

Fri, May 17 2019, 4:41 pm

amother [ Smokey ] wrote:

This sounds like an excellent idea. My child graduated therapy, but at the time he was going for therapy I would have loved such an option. I wonder if you can advertise?

amother

Smokey

Fri, May 17 2019, 4:58 pm

amother [ Smokey ] wrote:

The problem of course is that this is very part time and the hours are awful- I wanted mine when my son was home- we did 8:00 am!

amother

Rose

Fri, May 17 2019, 5:22 pm

I'm sorry 😔 Unfortunately this is a problem in so many fields. Programs advertise a profession that sounds so attractive and fulfilling. And maybe it truly is, but the field is flooded or not in high demand or only certain specialties really make it etc. And all these new grads with student loans and a real desire to work in their field are stuck competing for the few jobs available, doing ridiculous commutes, or switching to a new profession altogether.

esuss

Fri, May 17 2019, 5:39 pm

I am in a totally different field but had similar problem when I first graduated. I took temp jobs thru an agency even those in a different specialty than I wanted. After accumulating some experience and contacts in my field I got a job doing exactly what I always dreamed of.
Maybe something like this is available in your area. You could try temp agencies in Manhattan as they somethings have jobs in NJ.
Maybe there are agencies that could use you on Sunday's only or to cover for a therapist out on leave.
Persistence does pay off. It also pays to take a first job in a different specialty and then switch once you have experience.
Hatzlocha

amother

Fri, May 17 2019, 6:28 pm

OP here thank you everyone for your responses. It really means so much to me that ppl actually care! So I have actually been working this past year in a school abt an hour away barely making it. My job will be over for the summer in a few weeks with the option to renew my contract for another year. I really cannot afford to work there next year (pay and hours are not worth it for me) I have tried and begged for a raise. I am really lucky to have this job and have gained some experience. Unfortunately, the OT field is completely flooded especially in my area
Being a COTA limits me even further. I have definitely thought abt treating some clients privately but legally I need to work under an OT and I feel like as if I dont have enough experience to treat privately. Thank you for allowing me to vent. I am trying my best to have emuna and bitachon that it will all work out.

amother

Smokey

Fri, May 17 2019, 6:39 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Cant you work privately for people receiving services at a center with that OT signing off for you? That way- even if you dont have that much experience- you’ll basically just be doing what that OT recomended. But the client is gaining because theres nothing like personal OT as opposed to being at the center

amother

Lime

Fri, May 17 2019, 6:52 pm

It sounds like you need to broaden your criteria for a job. Only looking for a job in pediatrics is very limiting especially since you live in an area that is likely flooded with OTs. My sister is a COTA and works in several nursing homes on a per diem basis. She puts in at least 40 hours a week between all her jobs.

amother

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:27 pm

OP here. Thank you for taking the time to answer and all your suggestions. do u think parents wld be interested if I were to provide them with additional services or maintenance? If they receive services 2x week in a clinic and would like additional services , or if they need help implementing the sensory diet or would just like to work on fine motor, visual motor etc.? I would treat privately in their home for a minimal fee ($35 per session) this would just be as a supplement to their ot sessions. Do u think there is a need for this? Just a thought.

amother

Smokey

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:31 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Well considering that I paid my private ot 150.00 for half an hour...
I think you should charge a bit more

amother

Honeydew

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:37 pm

I was going to suggest geriatrics, as well. It may not be your passion, but you'll certainly more job options and flexibility, from what I've heard about the Lakewood job scene.

Last edited by amother on Mon, Jul 08 2019, 11:43 am; edited 1 time in total

amother

Beige

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:40 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I think there would be. You might need to have supervision tho I’m not sure. And it would probably be harder hours like after school unless u get lucky and get young kids that are home.

Like anything private it’s not as reliable and it’s stressful to get clients on ur own.

Sunny Days

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:49 pm

Oy OP, that must be so frustrating Sad

.
I hope you find something suitable real quick.

On the flip side, I'm in brooklyn with a child in Early intervention and cant switch PT's we're extremely unhappy with (very tough personality & makes my daughter cry all session) because there is a shortage in EI therapists. We have a fantastic OT but her schedule is so packed that we don't always get to see her the full mandate we have...
I think in general there is an extreme high demand of EI therapists around here. I don't know what it looks like in Jersey. I know there is a TON of paperwork involved so people shying away from EI...

aricelli

Tue, May 21 2019, 9:51 pm

gamzehyaavor wrote:

Oy OP, that must be so frustrating Sad

Yes- but these are therapists- not assistants. Can you get assistants through ei as well?