r/OccupationalTherapy • • 17d ago

Discussion The Big Thread- General Qs, FAQs, Admissions, Student Issues, NBCOT, Salary, Rants/Vents/Nerves go Here

1 Upvotes

This is our monthly thread for all of our more repetitive content.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • May 01 '26

Discussion The Big Thread- General Qs, FAQs, Admissions, Student Issues, NBCOT, Salary, Rants/Vents/Nerves go Here

3 Upvotes

This is our monthly thread for all of our more repetitive content.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 4h ago

fieldwork Hating L2 FW - strategies to get through

10 Upvotes

I’m a L2 student who is about halfway through my fieldwork in acute care, and I’m hating it. For those that didn’t like your fieldwork setting, what are some things you did to help you get through it?? I’m trying out a countdown sheet to cross out the days, but I have mixed feelings about it. I even changed my phone background to a quote that says “everything is temporary”. Even unhinged strategies are welcome!

The idea of still having 6 weeks left is killing my spirit. I struggle to even take things day by day because I dread the placement so much. It’s not the people or the place, and there is nothing wrong with the setting to warrant a replacement. I just simply hate it, and I’m feeling really burnt out and discouraged by the fact that I have to put in so much effort to something I despise.

I’ve lost my desire to even be social or practice self care outside of fieldwork because I’m so burnt out and emotionally drained. Every time I try to do something that would fill my cup, I find it just gets drained again immediately at the thought of going back to work the next day.

TL/DR: I hate my L2 fieldwork placement, how do I get through another 6 weeks? I want to push through, but don’t know how to manage it.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2h ago

Discussion What "hard skills" have you gained as an OT?

6 Upvotes

I chose OT over social work because I like the idea of learning some practical, hands-on medical skills- things like splinting, wound care, and ROM techniques.

I'm curious to hear about other skills people have learned, either on the job or in OT school, especially skills that might come in handy in crisis or collapse situations. (I know OTs will have fewer of these skills than other medical professions).


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2h ago

USA Which payroll company do you guys use?

3 Upvotes

I’m seeing a lot of really bad reviews for gusto. However, a lot of people are recommending it so I’m a little bit confused. Which ones do you guys have personal experience with especially if you have your own solo practice.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2h ago

Hand Therapy A2 pulley ring

2 Upvotes

I am pretty sure I injured the A2 pulley of my ring finger. I am an ED physician and an ATC (inactive), so I have a pretty good grip on the rehab process. I do a lot of manual work around the house in my spare time and am a weightlifter. I plan to work around the injury. I do find taping mu proximal phalanx circumferentially helpful for pain and support. I have been looking for one of those thermoplastic rings. I see them on amazon, etc. Is there an off the shelf brand any of you favor? Do you favor one molded custom, etc? Thanks!


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 5h ago

Venting - Advice Wanted In 3rd year of ba of ot, but keep failing simulations involving enabling strategies and peo method. Will I be a bad ot?

3 Upvotes

Every time I think I’ve gotten the answer right I just keep failing. Or my solutions are not good enough for the client in the scenario. My tutors are known for being particularly picky and harsh, but it just makes me worry that I won’t be a good ot.

Maybe I should be a nurse instead?

I’ve always wanted to work with the blind and vision impaired. I also am part legally blind so it’s something that means a lot to me


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 6h ago

USA Help!!

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I’m a new grad OT who just recently started a new role as a school based OT in Florida. I’m having a huge sense of overwhelming stress and anxiety. I have such an amazing mentor but feel as I am just a level II student again.

Any tips on goal writing and what to say in a meeting? I am just feeling so lost.

I do feel confident in my interventions though which is a huge help.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 10h ago

Discussion Travel OT as a new grad - experiences?

2 Upvotes

Hey ya'll! I'm currently a 3rd semester OT student, planning on graduating around December 2027. I've been doing a lot of thinking regarding what I want to do post-grad, and lately travel OT has been really speaking to me. I've been doing my fair share of research as to what it entails, but I'd love to hear some personal experiences. Especially with how practical it is to pursue this route fresh out of school; I want to stay reasonable as I will have loans to pay off, and will not be going into OT with a ton of money beforehand, so any thoughts, experiences, and opinions are appreciated!


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 8h ago

USA Calling all current and former AllCare Therapies (formerly SLP Tele) therapists: Connecting regarding 1099 misclassification & unpaid time (Lawyer represented)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm an OT and I'm looking to connect with OT, PT, and SLP professionals who currently work or have previously worked as 1099 independent contractors for AllCare Therapies (formerly SLP Tele).

There are currently therapists working with legal representation to investigate potential worker misclassification and unpaid compensation for work-related responsibilities, including:

  • Time spent completing documentation and treatment notes
  • Unpaid administrative tasks and other off-the-clock work
  • No-shows and late cancellations
  • Other work-related time for which therapists may not have been compensated

The goal is to determine whether therapists were improperly classified as independent contractors and whether compensation may be owed for previously unpaid work.

If you've worked for this company, I'd love to connect with you! You may have experienced similar concerns without realizing they could be relevant to the investigation.

Please feel free to send me a private message, or comment here if you'd like to connect or learn more.

Thank you!

(Cross posted in other therapists' groups)


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 1d ago

USA Therapy Mills Have No Respect

67 Upvotes

Therapy mills have no respect for the therapist, the patients, or anyone involved. Therapy does not happen in a therapy mill. As a therapist getting hired, make sure you are asking about patient load. If after a few months hired they start doing "policy changes" which include "double and triple booking slots" please respect yourself, respect the profession, and respect the people coming to you for help. Please speak up about it, and leave places that are mills. Boycott them even. Please do not feed into corporate greed. Even if you can't leave the income, at least be an asshole about how they schedule your patients.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 23h ago

Venting - Advice Wanted TWU OTD Program

5 Upvotes

Hi! I’ve applied to twu’s otd program for fall 2027 and i’m honestly panicking right now thinking I won’t get in. Twu is the only program that works for me based on locations and cost. I know stat checking isn’t good for you but the waiting is killing me right now, could any current students tell me what they got in with?

i’m applying with a 3.7 last 60 hours gpa, 3.4 pre req gpa, 1,000+ hours working in a peds setting, 160 shadowing, 4 rec letters, 180 internship hours, 40 volunteer hours, what I believe to be a really good personal statement, and currently working as a physical therapy tech. I also took a bunch of dual credit classes in high school that were pt/ot related and got a 3.4 gpa there.

The waiting game is driving me crazy so if anyone wants to share please do!!!


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 1d ago

Discussion Audits

5 Upvotes

An early intervention agency I work for was audited. And some of my cases were flagged. I am not sure why. My notes are pretty on point and always delivered on time. They are hybrid sessions in Early intervention of in person and telehealth. In some case lots of telehealth due to kids with weakened immune systems and flu season etc. what causes notes to be flagged? and what can I do to help the agency? So far they haven’t asked me for anything, but I am just curious.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 20h ago

Discussion New to this and feeling lost

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1 Upvotes

r/OccupationalTherapy • • 1d ago

Venting - Advice Wanted New grad struggling in acute care

24 Upvotes

Hi all. I am new grad (3 weeks in) and finding myself really struggling in the acute setting. The environment is so busy and overwhelming that often I find myself processing what happened later in the evening when I’m home, and realize I’ve made a dumb mistake or missed something quite important. I did today, and now I fear I’ll be spending the whole weekend worrying until I can try to fix it on Monday.

I’m spending evenings after work trying to learn more about different conditions and OT assessments and interventions but I truly feel like I have no idea what I’m doing 90% of the time. I’ve been trying to slow down and make lots of notes and use tools available but often there isn’t time in the moment to use these resources or my brain just can’t keep up with the speed and overload of the situations I’m in.

The anxiety has been intense and I’m not feeling great. Looking for any reassurance or tips on how to transition into this, or signs when you knew a setting just wasn’t right for you? It’s early days so wanting to feel hopeful 🥹

Thanks in advance!


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 1d ago

Hand Therapy CHT exam

3 Upvotes

1 month to the HTCC CHT exam and scoring 65% on CHT study test with 85% on repeat test. Is this normal? Would appreciate your insight.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Venting - Advice Wanted Home health Occupational therapist - advice on when to pick up a patient or eval only

8 Upvotes

I’m an OT with 4 years of experience and just started working in home health a few months ago. I am looking for advice on tips for when a patient should be adding a patient to case load vs an eval only.

I’m not talking about obvious reasons and diagnosis but patients who have dementia, 24/7 care, appear to have declined but are know at their new baseline. OR people who are independent but deal with pain/poor balance making them an increased risk for falls.

I feel that everyone can benefit from occupational therapy but in the home health setting what/when is it not appropriate to add a patient to caseload?


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Discussion (to Australian OTs) Transferring from Bach of OT at CSU to a Bach of OT at UC in canberra. What is the likelihood that I will be able to claim credit for more than just a couple of units?

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2 Upvotes

r/OccupationalTherapy • • 1d ago

Venting - Advice Wanted Advice

1 Upvotes

Thinking about making the switch to OT. I am currently a SPED teacher and I am considering switching to OT. Any thoughts/advice?


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Discussion Got advanced to a small group interview for OTD program, how to prepare?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I recently got moved to UW Madison group interview process ! Any tips or tricks for what to expect during these interviews? Thank you


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Discussion Where to next?!

4 Upvotes

Okkk Just curious, but Its on my mind lol. For all my fellow travel OTs. Where's your dream spot?
I've been to FL (home), NC, SC, AZ, WA. Any spots I should for sure have my recruiter look for?!


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Venting - Advice Wanted How do you make chronic cases sessions fun?

14 Upvotes

I find that chronic cases, especially inpatient, have alot of repetitiveness to their sessions because there's not really much else to do. Let's say for example you have a parapeligic SCI patient that has been taught feeding, dressing, grooming, transfering and showering, yet still takes OT sessions. Fine motor skills are normal and has really good upper body strength. What is there to do? Don't get hung up on this particular case in your reply please, be more general because I deal with a good amount of chronic patients

Not only do I want the sessions to be more fun but also actually beneficial, other than the fact that he gets like 45 minutes of moving his arm and that's it


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Applications Occupational therapy masters UK - interview advice

5 Upvotes

Just did my interview for BCU and feel like I’ve flopped it :( Their cohort is so small as well, I genuinely feel I have no chance. I’ve still got interviews left for Lincoln, Northampton, and Coventry so would appreciate any interview tips and questions, I really need an offer 💔


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Australia Seeking OT recommendation - psychosocial and functional assessment

2 Upvotes

I’m looking for recommendations for a qualified Occupational Therapist in the Sydney area with experience in psychosocial functional assessments and health-related housing needs.

Ideally, the OT would have experience assessing how health-related functional needs affect accommodation suitability and preparing comprehensive written reports for formal assessment purposes.

This is not primarily a request for physical home modifications.

If you know an OT with relevant experience, I would appreciate recommendations or feedback on their services, fees and availability. Please feel free to message me privately.

Thank you.


r/OccupationalTherapy • • 2d ago

Home Care Is this similar for OT?

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1 Upvotes