Coursework & Fieldwork Are there specific fields in OT that are more intense than other fields?

[tobeanOT]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I want to enter a high intensity specialty in OT when I graduate to get a feel and possibly grab a higher salary if possible.

What fields in your experience in OT seem to be harder and more rewarding?

 

[proapplicant]

hand therapy. good luck.

really though, i think you'll get a better idea of this in your program.

 

[beestrng]

Peds is intense. But salary hehe.

 

[chickfilaregular]

If you focus on neonatal intensive care unit or Autism in peds I've heard it's more money than just a general specification in peds. Maybe worth looking into if you wanna work with kiddos.

 

[NPULFC]

Peds is intense. But salary hehe.

what do you mean by salary is hehe?

 

[FINGERS_CROSSED]

Not a high salary with peds

 

[beestrng]

what do you mean by salary is hehe?

IMO Peds pay is laughable for the amount of work they do. OT peds salary hehe.

This is probably due to Medicaid reimbursement. I am not sure how private insurance pays compared to Medicaid.

 

[cactusflowerblossom]

Peds appointments cancel like crazy. You could start your day with 9 appointments on the docket and 5 cancel right before or outright no-show. I was told this is to be expected when I shadowed in peds and know from personal experience working in ABA that parents are flakey as hell. This becomes a "really bad thing" when you don't get paid for late cancellations or no-shows.

 

[NPULFC]

IMO Peds pay is laughable for the amount of work they do. OT peds salary hehe.

This is probably due to Medicaid reimbursement. I am not sure how private insurance pays compared to Medicaid.

I still don't understand are you saying its a lot of money for little work or vice versa?

 

[cactusflowerblossom]

I still don't understand are you saying its a lot of money for little work or vice versa?

I think he's saying you do a crap ton of work and get paid a pittance for your efforts.

 

[beestrng]

I still don't understand are you saying its a lot of money for little work or vice versa?

OTs working in the pediatric setting overall compensation is not good compared to other settings. IMO the pediatric population is difficult to treat. So a lot of work for low pay.

A lot of kids have Medicaid. So the OTs pay will reflect that.

Medicaid reimbursement is lower than other insurance.

Obviously, not all OTs will share my opinion.

Sorry for not being straightforward from the start.

 

[beestrng]

I do not think that CHT makes that much more money than any other OT. I am thinking 1 or 2 bucks.

The slower pace of work and less productivity makes the work more enjoyable.

Any comment on CLT pay?

 

[proapplicant]

I do not think that CHT makes that much more money than any other OT. I am thinking 1 or 2 bucks.

The slower pace of work and less productivity makes the work more enjoyable.

Any comment on CLT pay?

both therapists i worked for made over 6 figures so.... yea. there aren't very many of them. the slower pace would depend on the day (like other medical offices) and i'm not sure what you mean by less productivity. they do get to sit more.

 

[beestrng]

both therapists i worked for made over 6 figures so.... yea. there aren't very many of them. the slower pace would depend on the day (like other medical offices) and i'm not sure what you mean by less productivity. they do get to sit more.

I meant productivity= billabe time you treat clients in a day. Typical rate of snf is 85+%. I was thinking hand clinic may not have such high rate.

Its good to hear ots making that much.

 

[atroposlachesis]

Just to note for peds, the average salary doesn't always reflect the range possible in private practice. Private practice always varies, but I know a few pediatric OTs who are doing very well for themselves. They've set up practices in high-need areas and, unlike counselors or other health practitioners, there is virtually no competition. They have excellent word-of-mouth and advertising. One has a personal salary comfortably in the $90-120,000 range (although she takes out a significant chunk to make her clinic cutting-edge). Again, private practice is unpredictable, but there are higher-paying options for the passionate and business-savvy.

 

[resot]

both therapists i worked for made over 6 figures so.... yea. there aren't very many of them. the slower pace would depend on the day (like other medical offices) and i'm not sure what you mean by less productivity. they do get to sit more.

I work with CHTs and this is not my experience. My boss pays herself under 6 figures (I believe she pays herself about 85k) and that is also what she has paid other CHTs who worked with her. Just to give you some context, she has been an OT for over 2 decades.

In the past couple years, she has interviewed new grads who have asked her for an hourly rate higher or equal to what she pays herself. Unfortunately, she can't pay those rates because insurance does not reimburse high enough. Many private outpatient clinics have this problem. You may have a better chance at a higher salary at a hospital.

Home health hourly rates seem the best.

 

[tobeanOT]

Thanks for the replies guys!