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COTA Thoughts

OT Job Debate

Published October 27, 2008 3:50 PM by Tim Banish
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One of the biggest topics on a couple of the forums I follow has been job availability. One post states jobs are easy to find, then the next post says there are very few jobs out there. Glancing over the job postings on several sites is as confusing as the forum posts.

It seems like the most current COTA opportunities are in long term care. There seem to be quite a few job postings, but I found many were for part time or prn work. The few COTA jobs posted for schools or peds seem to want experienced applicants only. Out-pt positions for COTA's are almost non-existent, a trend I have seen more and more recently.

Job postings for OTR's are a bit more abundant. However just like the COTA jobs, most are in long term care.  I assume many of these positions have the OT covering two or more facilities doing evals and monthly recerts. There seem to be quite a few jobs for OTR's in the schools and out-pt peds clinics, and a few for orthopedic clinics. All in all, as an OTR you definitely have a better chance of finding a position in the area you enjoy working in.

So after scanning the job postings, I headed back to the forums. What I found was many of the posts that stated jobs were easy to find were from OTRs. The ones that said they were unable to find work were mostly COTA's. The exception seems to be southern Texas and Florida where jobs seem to be plentiful for COTA's, but mainly in LTC.

I know this doesn't solve the job debate. It still seems like you have to be in the right place to land a job. I've moved away from three states in my years as a COTA to keep working full time. I guess if you're determined to find a job, you'll do what it takes.

Until next time, hope all your thoughts are good,

Tim

posted by Tim Banish
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7 comments
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I am currently in school right now to become a COTA, I really want to work in peds. Is this going to be possible, I keep hearing all the SNF and LTC.....
Chelsea April 5, 2009 9:28 PM

Hi dear, I want to ask one question. Why we always talk about COTA job. When we start a debate on job always cota system come to us, why? Why do we not talk about 100% job like this - http://unemploymentdebate.blogspot.com/. I mean job for everyone.

Thanks

Jay, Marketing - Self Employed, Business February 7, 2009 1:24 PM
Delhi IN

NYC? Can you afford to live and raise a family there on a COTA wage?

Tim Banish, LTC - COTA/L November 13, 2008 7:22 PM
Cincinnati OH

NYC DOE D75 needs a lot of OTs though...
Jason, Pediatrics - OT, School November 8, 2008 2:38 PM
NY

Thanks for your comments Wendy and Alan. I guess most of my experience is from the male, bread winner of the household, have to work full time, viewpoint. I agree there are quite a few COTA jobs out there, but again most are part time, or even if they are full time your hours are cut if caseload drops. And as much as there may be jobs out there that go unfilled, is it the location of the job or lack of COTA's?

Tim Banish, LTC - COTA/L November 4, 2008 8:00 PM
Cincinnati OH

Hi Tim,%0d%0a%0d%0aCt seems to have quite a bit of openings for COTA's - though I will agree that the majority of them are in SNF and long term care.  With that said there are also openings right now in the Birth-to-three field for both OT's and COTA's..  and I have noticed several openings for both in Hospitals and in also in a couple local sensory/out pt rehab clinics.%0d%0a%0d%0aI have been in pediatrics since I graduated 5 years ago.  I have moved jobs 3 times and each time stayed in the pediatric field.  When I went to school peds was an area that was discouraged because I was told that there was very little openings but I didn't let that deter me and sent my resume and cover letters to several places I wanted to work and was interviewed by one that was willing to hire new graduates.. got my "experience" and moved on about 18 months later..  %0d%0a%0d%0aI think it is important to keep in mind that each state has different "rules" for hiring COTA's and what they are able to do in different jobs.  For instance I can work in Birth to three in CT and in NY but, from what I understand, COTA's can not work in Birth to three in MA.  This might be one reason there are more job openings in these areas in one state over another. %0d%0a%0d%0aI have been the first COTA hired in two of the companies I worked for and they called me for an interview based on my cover letter and resume.  Once there I sold myself and am happy to say that when I left the first job they have continued to hire COTA's and I remain in my other job and they are now looking for COTA's for part time/PRN work.   So - if you know where you might want to work - go for it - send in a letter, sell yourself and as long as state regulations allow you to work in that area ..  you may just get the chance to land that job you truly want and not work in an area you "have" to work in because there is nothing else available. ..  (just my 2 cents).
Wendy Spoor-Hof, Pediatrics - COTA/L, Birth-to-three November 1, 2008 8:21 AM
Northeast CT

Hi Tim,

When I graduated in 1996 the climate was somewhat similar to today. It was really the PPS scare in 1999 that led to the only jobless/out of work COTA's I ever met.

Today most I know who don't work in the feild are that way because: "it isn't worth the drive", "I can't get in the population I want", or "no one will pay enough" ect. Or they are raising a family and don't need the money on the other spouse's income.

We have had both part and full time COTA positions here in NE Ohio that we have been unable to fill in an acute hospital setting for the past year or so. There are also plentious jobs in the schools, SNF and LTC markets.

Alan
Alan Graham, Phys Dis - COTA/L, UHGMC October 28, 2008 12:18 PM
Chardon OH

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