Job Responsibilities
As an Occupational Therapist I am responsibile for the provision
of therapy to anywhere from 5 to 7 residents in a nursing home.We
have residents who have become weakened by illness and are unable
to independently wash, dress, get out of bed, or walk by
themselves. It is my job to help increase strength and
independence so the resident can return to their homes or to
their previous level of independence in the nursing home setting.
I spend between 6 to 8 hours a day providing treatment. I can
spend anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours on some days doing
paperwork to document what treatment I provided and how much the
resident improves.
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Job Requirements
My job requires a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy along
with successful completion of A national Occupational Therapy
Certification Test. Students now graduating have to obtain a
masters degree an there are no longer programs at the Bachelors
Level.
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Uppers
The best part of my job is working with the elderly. They are wonderful.It is
most rewarding when I have a patient the gets better, becomes able to care for
themselves and returns home.
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Downers
The downers are the amount of paperwork we have to do in
healtcare and that healtcare has become all about money and how
much revenue we produce. Years ago it was all about the patient.
Now healthcare is too corporate and financially driven.
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Lifestyle
My profession allows much flexability. I work part time at my regular job and
have other per diem jobs. I have always been able to be there for my children. I
started working 1 day a week when my kids were young. I was able to increase my
hours gradually while they were in school to 20 hours. I work daytime and can
flex my hours to go in either very early at 7 or later. I have been able to be
home when my kids got home from school. I wear scrubs to work because they are
cheaper, wash well and are cheerful. On fridays we can wear jeans.I have always
worked with a diverse population of patients and staff. My profession has much
per diem work. I am on the per diem list for 3 companies. They call me if they
need help and I can say yes or no to the extra work. Its a good way to make extra
money at my convienence.
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Compensation
I make 35 dollars per hour. I receive no benefits. I have
healthcare through my husbands work so I don't need benefits. I
am allowed however to participate in the companies 401K pLAN.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The job outlook is very promising especially now that therapist
have to get a masters degree. There will be less people going
into this profession. As the baby boomers age it is predicted
that more therapist will be needed to treat them. Also now that
people are living longer the need will be greater. I think its a
good profession. It pays well and the flexability especially when
you have children is most valuable.
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