Occupational Therapist: COTA\L

Introduction
The biggest piece of advice that I would give someone considering this career is to visit all of the different types of Jjob sites. There are Occupational Therapy Assistant placements in hospital settings, in school settings, in rehabilitaion settings, homehealth care settings, job/work settings. There are so many choices out there so make sure you have thoroughly researched which site you think you might want to work. This might help determine which school you might want to attend for college.

Job Function
I love working with the kids. I am currently employed in a school setting where I service prek-high school students. I have been working in the same system for 12 years. I have followed some of my students since they were 3 years old and now are almost getting ready to graduate. It is so rewarding to watch all of their individual progress and it is so fulfilling knowing that I was a big part of their accomplishments. That is what I love most about my job. For the most part of I really enjoy my job but sometimes all of the paperwork that we as therapist have to fill out gets to be a little over whelming. I know that paperwork is a small part, but it is the most least favorite thing I do in regards to my job. Lifestyle
My lifestyle is very hectic. I am a wife of 14 years and I am a mother to a 12 year old and an 8 year old. In addition to my "mom/wife" career I hold a full time position as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. So I work a lot, but you need to find time to play or you'll go crazy. My job is great. I work in a public school so I have the same schedule as my children. Same vacations and holidays off as well as the same snowdays or school delays. I have an extremely understand supervisor so if my children are sick, I don't have to worry about staying home with them or leaving early if they have appointments. The location of my job is less than 20 minutes away from my hometown. I think that someone looking to be a OT assistant needs to have a upbeat personality. You have to be the biggest cheerleader around. Sometimes you have clients that have an "I don't want to or and I don't care attitude" you need to be encouraging and as positive as you can with them. You need to have a great sense of humor as well. If you can't laugh about stuff, you will be too stressed out.

Additional Information
I feel that my job is a huge part of my life and the reason why I am so happy outside of my working life. I leave my job almost everyday with a success. It might be very small, but I know that I have helped at least one person and that leaves my feeling very satisfied as a therapist and as a human being.