COTA Pay for Part-Time Work
I guess that some COTA's work just part time? I do note that the hourly pay scale for working as a temp, contractor, or a travelling therapist is quite a bit higher than COTA's who work full time or are salaried.
I have done contract work for some time, long ago and just recently, and found that the pay rate was a bit better. The downside to this however, is that at times offers for work could be slim. Sometimes the work was plentiful, but some weeks went by without any work. I have found that during the summer months while vacations were being taken by full time staff that the opportunities would increase. As the school season started, work seemed to become scarce until close to the holidays. Then at times there were so many calls I couldn't keep up. Feast or famine, as they say.
I used to work with a few OTR's who self contracted. This was way before PPS though, but the few I did know always seemed to have plenty of work. That's where I was able to pick up a few extra hours. When they got so busy, they would call me and if my schedule was free, they would take the job. They did the evals, I did the treatments, and we both made pretty good money.
Travelling jobs also seem to pay more. One COTA I graduated with went straight to work for a travelling company and loved it. (again, this was prior to PPS) She made good money, got to see many parts of the country, and was able to put away some savings not having to pay rent or a mortgage. Lately though, I've heard some horror stories about a few travelers. One COTA who was placed in a crime ridden neighborhood for housing had her car broke into one night, the windshield smashed another night. The company did nothing to assist, or make any attempt to re-locate her. Others report that travelling usually finds them in a facility that is less than appealing, high expectations for minutes, and supervisors that treat them like they are less than human. Nothing I would want to deal with.
Finally, I guess that some COTA's work part time so they can manage home life and work together. With all the demands required to raise children these days, finding a secure part time job close to home is just the ticket. Fortunately many companies realize this, and have made job sharing part of their ways. On the other hand, a company that uses several part time therapists' vs having a full time staff does save money on insurance costs, unemployment, etc. Sounds like a scheduling nightmare for the director, though.
So, higher pay or steady work seems to be the deciding factor on your work status. Even today, I find that things haven't changed much as far as part time work instead of being a full timer. Work can sometimes still be sporadic, or there can be so much you find yourself working more than you really want to.
Until next time, hope all your thoughts are good,
Tim