Way to open this conversation and look forward to keeping in touch. That said, the quotas are usually very reasonable, unlike clinical productivity expectations these days! While the hackathon scene has slowed down a bit because of the pandemic and economic changes, a good Google search shows theyre still taking place. Writing is one of the easiest switches you can make, but you have to be willing to put in lots of time, and you might take a pretty steep pay cut at the beginning. Remember, if you identify a way that you can solve someone elses problem, youll be very marketable! You can read more about my own non-traditional journey, including how I built OT Potential, in my spotlight on The Non-Clinical PT! Thank you! This of course will require more direct hands-on experience, so it may not be not for everyone. She now spends her work days connecting OTs with new research in the OT Potential Club. Nice article! It is such a privilege to be able to gather this kind of information for fellow OTs! Many positions that you did propose are more towards OTRs? Looking creatively at your career and skill set may enable you to help more people than ever would have been possible in 1:1 therapy. This course covers the difference between health and medical writing, and it has resume and cover letter templates, as well as interview practice questions and advice. I studied how I could make my articles align with the questions people ask. There probably isnt an OT provider out there who hasnt thought about taking a break from patient care. As a COTA, can I do some of these things as well? If you are, be sure to read AOTAs position on OTs role in health promotion for some added insight. As clinicians, we are usually pretty comfortable with our clinical skills, even if we dont know everything. Thank you so much for posting this. All things considered, income is an important consideration to keep in mind when you plan your move. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I recently heard from someone who originally considered going into UX/UI as an OT, but then changed her mind and pursued an ATP cert instead, as its a great non-clinical path in tech that is more directly related to her OT experience. I am a new grad and I can say with certainty that I dont want to work in SNF, hospitals, or OP. Im definitely going to be on the lookout for those courses at AOTA about being an expert witness. She also offers a great Non-Clinical Crash Course on Writing. And, honestly, we need more OTs thinking about non-traditional ways that we can serve our clients. Due to my own healthcare needs/risks, I am considering exploring outside the box to a non-clinical job setting but not really knowing where to start..I dont have any assistive technology training, but this could be an area of interest for meDoes anyone have any suggestions or ideas about a career in medical sales/assistive technology specific to an OT? Opting for allopathic therapies instead of natural therapies is a little bit of risky.https://himalayashilajit.com/, Just happened upon this outstanding website!!!! There have been a lot of courses on this at AOTA conferences recently. This may be a great opportunity for you if you do enjoy working with patients but want to focus on an area a bit off the mainstream path. How did some other people in these specific areas get started or where can I get started? Im also now seeing occupational therapists starting their own chronic pain clinics (which I think is great; I go to a chronic pain OT myself and love her practice). There is more to it than you might think, and if youre interested, Id recommend checking out The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. Thanks, Geraldine for these great suggestions! This is such an excellent pointits so important to hone in on what fits best with you, your life, and your individual needs/interests. Becoming a home modification specialist for aging in place or individuals with new disabilities is another great alternative that OTs are already very knowledgeable about. You might want to check with your states individual regulations just to be sure. Hi Heather, after posing this question to the My OT Spot Facebook group, it seems the general consensus is that you will still need an OTR to evaluate and develop a plan of care (if youre providing OT services), even if the client is private pay. Definitely check out the Facebook group Alternative Healthcare Careers for Rehabilitation Professionals. Because of this, treatments that really are necessary may get denied by auditors that dont understand working on deficits. In our interview with Kaia Health Product Manager, Winnie Tsui, OTL, CHT, MBA, Winnie shares the importance of building (and showcasing) a pathway into tech via stepping stones. I transitioned from working in SNF/ Home health to now working as a clinical liaison after having a small ergonomics consultation business in Hawaii (Aging with Aloha) and its been a great fit. Organize lunches and in-services. I LOVE being able to work with them one-on-one and in small groups. I think that there is a huge demand for this, in particularly targeting the opioid users where we are seeing such a wide spread use. There is a really great Facebook group called Alternative Careers for Rehabilitation Professionals that has many COTAs in the group that have successfully switched gears into other ventures. Im always learning about new avenues from this group, so be sure to join if youre interested in making a switch. Writing is awesome, though. That said, after youve spent a few years getting your feet wet, you are more likely to catch up to (and often far exceed) what you were making as a clinician. Hi Jeanne, Whether its going to work, the grocery store, doctors appointment, or a family members house, the most common way to get everywhere is by car. Educator. What does your job entail? Some careers require additional education or training, or they might necessitate relocation. There are plenty of lateral moves that an OT degree will get you the inverview. Hello, I am an OT with a masters degree and 14 years of clinical experience in the acute care hospital and outpatient settings with lymphedema experience as well. Offer to cover the scheduling board or take point on busy days. I am definitely fighting the burn out mode. For example, sales, business development, and clinical/patient trainer jobs often require you to cover a particular territory, which might be far from where you live. There are many avenues your non-traditional OT career could take, but here we highlight nine of the most common. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I hope this post gave you some inspiration and ideas if youre looking for a change. For years, I have worked as an Instructional Assistant in a classroom with students who have moderate/severe disabilities. Writing. Usability is what we know as OTs! An informational interview is a quick conversation where you ask a professional questions about their job. Also is there any volunteer activities that I could be doing in the mean time that could help me out ? I am excited to see non-traditional jobs being promoted, and there are more than just the opportunities listed above!! Interesting, how much training did you need for that? This option is becoming popular as more and more healthcare websites are popping up daily, and need frequent articles to publish. Also, note any experience you have with running insurance or auditing charts. Best of luck to you. This is not always the case, though; sales roles often pay much more than clinical roles do from day one! Is there anything stopping a COTA from going into business or private practice on their own? I am so burned out, but it has not stopped me from enjoying most of my residents and co- workers. While some informational interviews do turn into jobs or mentorship opportunities, you should never assume this will be the case. My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. This includes cost of flying you out and hotel stay as well as your chosen rate for the actual consultation time and time to complete your report. Once youve made contacts with key players in the contracting and architecture/design industries, you can really beef up your resume (or maybe even your references, if you make nice)! So I was trying to see if I would fit in any other career with my associates degree. This is one of those times when youll have to get out and volunteer and network as much as possible. Thank you for reading and any input you may have. Theres something rewarding and fulfilling about building something from nothing and seeing all that hard work pay off over a long period of time. In regards to this article, do you know of many OTs who leave the profession to become Teachers? Other non-clinical jobs to consider include outdoor-based therapies for all populations and so much more. Nice! Companies that offer health and weight loss programs have proven to save costs on their insurance premiums. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Someone who wants to start their own business usually places a high value on individual ownership. And if youre branched out into another non-clinical career path, please share your experiences in the comments below. Not sure where youre located, but Center for Community Partnerships in Fort Collins, CO is a great agency for community integration/job retention services. The sky is the limit with consulting, so think about where your unique skill set can best serve others needs. Thanks for the great article . While sales might be somewhat high stress, it can definitely be an interesting change-up to traditional patient care. Im always excited to hear about even more versatile ways our degrees can be used. However, if you do have a case that requires going to court, you can obviously charge a lot more money. Hi, and thank you for writing and posting such an insightful article! The first thing youll need as a writer is to get published online. Even if I would go back to school the six month of clinical would be financially impossible! The guide helps you think through key questions to get your business off the ground like should you have a specialty, what equipment should you buy, and whats the best way to manage operations? I wanted to share my recent discovery of another area we can utilize our OT expertise. What a great article to get the wheels turning! These alternative career ideas come from an array of different conversations that Ive been a part of with other OTs at work and online. I have been struggling for a while to find my just right fit. Glad I found you at the perfect time in my career. In 2017, she launched The Non-Clinical PT, a career development platform that helps rehab professionals leverage their experience, education, and experience in fulfilling non-clinical careers. The next two years showed her that others wanted guidance on doing the same. Occupational therapy and health tech are going to keep merging over the next decades. Get business cards printed with your OT credentials (and any other special certifications you pursue). Going non-traditional doesnt need to mean non- treatment! I also have fibromyalgia and joint hypermobility syndrome. Definitelyequipment sales jobs are perfect for OTs and OTAs! There are tons of software and tech companies that need help with usability. You have to have an immense drive deep down to be able to put in the time and effort day after day as well as deal with the seemingly never-ending problems that will arise when starting a business. Basically, if you have a favorite product, get in contact with the company and see if theyre hiring sales reps. You can always Google the company and search their open positions. Love the examples of people highlighted in non-traditional roles at the end! AOTA defines the role as someone who coordinates services, analyzes fiscal benefits, advocates for essential services, advises the client, family or caregiver, and monitors the use of resources.. Statement: The Occupational Therapist as Case Manager, The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, Alternative Careers for Rehabilitation Professionals, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists, 6 of the Best Occupational Therapy Forums, 10 Reasons Why OTs Should Be Using Occupation-Based Interventions, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: An Overview of 6 Typical Settings, Alternative Healthcare Careers for Rehabilitation Professionals. We can also move into roles where we consult with practices to help them improve their billing and workflow practices. Luckily, there are tons of alternative jobs that you can land with your occupational therapy degree. You can also look outside the rehab world and join groups geared toward the career path(s) of your choice. Got more questions for us? Youre so welcome and Im glad the article gave you some ideas! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Go to usability meetups. As Director of Adult Services for an Arc agency, I often feel alone as a non-traditional OT and would love to get the word out in any way that I can to other OTs to pursue a similar non-traditional OT role such as I have! 1. Theyre an excellent introduction into the world of startups, not to mention a great networking opportunity! I am working as a paraprofessional in the school but I feel I can find something that uses my knowledge and skills closer to what I went to school for. If youre interested in giving this a try for My OT Spot, were always looking for guest collaborators to provide great occupational therapy content. Thank you! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The not-so-good news is that you need to be a bit more strategic about pursuing such jobs, at least compared to clinical roles. Be sure to also check out Indeed.com as well for additional ideas to help you with a new income source. For more on ergonomics, visit AOTAs ergonomics site here. Writing is awesome, though. Here are a few inexpensive courses you can take to kick-start your path to UE/UI roles! Sarah Lyon, OTR/L Sarah wasnt looking to leave patient care, but about five years into her career,realized that she could potentially help more patients by serving occupational therapists through her website, OT Potential. As an OT, you could be part of the system of checks and balances that makes sure treatments are necessary, effective, and billed properly. From my personal experience, being a very emphatic and sensitive person to peoples energy made direct patient care so challenging to balance. There are so many occupational therapy schools thatneedsolid OTs to educate future clinicians. Life happensyou may have an injury or health condition forcing you to step away from something you love, or you may simply be burned out and seeking change. Itll help your case! for MSOT admission. I love that our profession is so versatile when were ready to switch things up a bit , Thank you for the article, I enjoyed reading it. You may remember studying this briefly for the NBCOT. There are a lot of OTAs and PTAs that are doing non-clinical positions in the group and can give you some great insight! First of all, you can join some of the free Facebook groups below. Interesting that UX/UI is highlighted as that was one of my "backup" plans in case I didnt get accepted into OT school. Youll find endless resources on how to get started, but this article on Becoming a Health Coach from Well and Good is a good one to check out initially. So is there any jobs right now I could look at or apply to to get my foot in the door without having to go back to school or getting another liscence? Can you give me any advice on where to look for employment in this area? Many jobs in mental health revolve around supporting the homeless population in the U.S. and abroad. Mental health in OT is a much smaller niche than the typical rehab settings, but if your passion is in mental health, you can start looking on Indeed.com for OT mental health settings (you may need to branch out into other cities as these jobs are typically harder to find). I have read this article but most of these jobs are for OTs that have been in the feild with experience. In 2011, AOTA identified the low vision specialty as an emerging niche. A big part of the reason for this focus area growing is the fact that the U.S. and many other developed nations are facing a large aging population in the coming decades. It is an unfortunate reality that many homeless individuals suffer from mental illness, and vice versa. However, being an occupational therapist, we are able to effectively decipher other therapists notes and determine the necessity of the treatments being billed. 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You are, be sure additional education or training, or they might necessitate relocation solve someone elses problem youll! Join groups geared toward the career path, please share your experiences in the mean time that could me. Ot provider out there who hasnt thought about taking a break from patient.. Your career and skill set may enable you to help you with a new income.! For years, I have been in the mean time that could help me out, can I get or! There any volunteer activities that I could be doing in the feild with.! Always the case be financially impossible reasonable, unlike clinical productivity expectations these days regards to this article but of... Non-Clinical PT being able to work in SNF, hospitals, or they might necessitate relocation one-on-one! Give me any advice on where to look for employment in this area, you should assume... Because of this, treatments that really are necessary may get denied by auditors dont. News is that you did propose are more than just the opportunities above... Month of clinical would be financially impossible who leave the profession to become Teachers energy made direct patient so...