REAL Day in the Life | OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

You asked for it - Here is a day in the life of work! Life and work are fast paced. I am so thankful for this position and the experience I am gaining.
Since my last Day in the Life video, I’ve moved clinics (but with the same company) and I’ve become the lead of our OT department at my location. I’ve gained a lot of experience and responsibility. I love my job more everyday!
Hi! I'm Carly! I'm so thankful you are here! I'm a Licensed & Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) that is passionate about OT and advocating for the profession. I want to provide easy-to-understand, accurate, and informational content about OT to help people discover how amazing and crucial OT really be is. I currently work in a pediatric outpatient clinic.

[@stankatbarrell9878]

Thank you for posting! There are hardly any povs of therapy assistants on youtube!

[@lanievillarreal2017]

I’m currently on my journey to becoming an COTA and I LOVE your videos. Especially bc there are not a lot of videos on KZbin about COTA’s (day in the life). Great job!

[@carlythecota]

Thank you for watching!!!! 💗🥰

[@lindsh520]

Hey Carly! Thanks so much for showing a day in the life!! I am 21, pregnant with my first baby, and currently taking my last couple prerequisite courses in order to be accepted into the OTA program at my local community college. I’d love to see another video like this! Can’t wait to start the program.

[@carlythecota]

Congratulations! OT is such an awesome profession because it can grow with you as you grow as a person! ❤️

[@rafanadal52]

how are the hours working as an cota? are you full or part time? That was something I'm curious about before joining the field.

[@aricahawkins9959]

Hi queen! I just applied for college to be one! I am so excited to start this journey!!! Subscribing to your channel now 🫶🏾

[@carlythecota]

YAY!!! First step to the best profession ever!!!! You’re gonna change lives!!

[@richardgillana9002]

Hi can you help me to find referrals or list in antioch ca or within 2 hr the city

[@HopefulOne89]

Love these videos! I am an aspiring OT. :)

[@carlythecota]

You’ve got this! Thank you for watching!! 💗💗💗

[@LannaDior]

COTA gang 🤘🏾 I love your content 💕

[@MyBrilliantCreationtv]

Hello.Do you encounter any physical stress or strain from being a OTA?

[@carlythecota]

Since I am in a pediatric clinic, I often find myself running around, lifting kids, sitting on the floor, crawling, and participating in fun obstacle courses/races. I would not say that I am under physical stress/strain, but I am definitely active daily. I can not speak to other settings. Thank you for your question and thank you for watching!

[@jamiemathew7869]

That's a great question! Does being a OTA be a demanding and physically strain your body, mental health, and strength, and have a good ability to do the work needed to be done in not only pediatric but other settings as well? I need to know this before I start showing different ot,pt,slp

[@carlythecota]

Hi! I think the best way to decide this will be to shadow so you can see the job in real time. In geriatric settings, you will be using proper body mechanics to lift people bigger than yourself, but lifting nonetheless. I’ve only been in a SNF and pediatric setting, so I’m unsure about other settings. Hope this helps!

[@lilac6411]

How many patients a day do you do ? Also what's the most stressful thing about the job ?

[@carlythecota]

I can see one client an hour or two thirty minute clients in an hour! Most days I have atleast an hour break somewhere in my schedule. Each clinic and setting is different. I would say the most difficult part for me is pouring from an empty cup. On those days when I don’t feel 100%, I still have to give 100% to my clients. They deserve that. You have to be engaging and fun in order to get kids to work hard.

[@eve5444]

Do you work with a bunch of kids at once or?

[@carlythecota]

One at a time!

[@tiandrajohnson9353]

Going to start ota school next year, very excited 🤗

[@carlythecota]

So exciting!! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@tiandrajohnson9353]

@@carlythecota 😄Yes I have one question, what are the best tips for studying while in Ota school

[@tiandrajohnson9353]

@@carlythecotayou probably won’t reply but I just got accepted into OTA school and start in afew months 🥹I’m so excited

[@Sof_rha]

I’m considering becoming a COTA so tysm for the insightful video❤️❤️

[@carlythecota]

I'm so glad! Good luck!!

[@bevie9800]

I’m looking into becoming a OTA and working children!! How did you know you wanted to do this?? I currently am a Nanny and love the kids I watch but I can’t do this forever and I can’t see myself being a teacher.

[@carlythecota]

Hi there!! I did not know that I wanted to take this route until the summer after my freshman year of college. I didn’t know that there was an assistant degree, I thought there was only a master’s degree for OT. I absolutely LOVED the idea of OT, but knew that I did not want to be in school for that long. I babysat a lot in my teen/early 20s, was a nanny to two older kids as well a special needs 2yo, and worked in a preschool that combined typical and atypical children. I got to see a lot of therapy performed at my jobs which helped me decide that is what I wanted. Everything about the career just fit me and I couldn’t imagine doing literally anything else. OT grows with you… you don’t have to treat kids forever - you could work in a hospital, outpatient adults, in a school, or do something totally different. The options are endless because OT is so broad and just helps people live life to the fullest of their abilities!!

[@kw9303]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and HR Management but really wishing I went the COTA route as it’s more in alignment with who I am as a person. Really appreciate you sharing your day in the life! You’re an inspiration for sure!

[@carlythecota]

So glad you enjoyed! Occupational therapy is all about helping people live life to the fullest so just apply that to your life! :)

[@highlanderNC-mr8fe]

Is the pay good? Thanks my son is entering the program. Thanks

[@carlythecota]

All depends on the setting he works in and where he lives! Home health is typically on the higher end of pay scale and rural areas.

[@msVanessajay]

Thank you for the content, Carly! I love your jacket. Where did you get it?

[@carlythecota]

I got the Healing Hands scrub jacket at a local scrub shop, and then my mom had a friend embroider it!

[@amber693]

Hi can you explain what SNF is?

[@carlythecota]

Hi! Skilled Nursing Facility

[@rebeccaweitzel4637]

Is only hourly pay available for OTAs or are there salary based jobs available too? Also, I’ve seen that some get paid per patient, is that true for every place or?

[@carlythecota]

Most places do hourly pay, but my company has a salary structure. I have never been to a place that is paid per patient! I think it all depends on the company, location, and setting.

[@rebeccaweitzel4637]

@@carlythecota Oh okay that’s what I thought, thanks! Also, because of that would you say it was difficult finding a job that was salary based? Bc that’s what I prefer but yet again I already hear that it can be hard to find an OTA job with decent pay as is.

[@kevoksy8282]

A home health setting will give you pay per patient

[@flyingCoconut.]

I'm so excited for your new post! I'm early on in my OT journey!

[@carlythecota]

I’m so happy to be back! Let me know if you have any questions. :)

[@flyingCoconut.]

​@@carlythecota I'm wondering if it would be okay to record your notes with a voice recorder or something as your day progresses and transfer the verbal notes to physical notes later. Any insight Carly?

[@i.c8802]

So I have my first pediatric clinical placement in pediatric outpatient, what do you recommend I should be knowledgeable of to leave a notable impression (since I want to work in pediatrics) & can you say how much you personally make in OP pediatric setting?

[@carlythecota]

Hi there! I believe that having a teachable mindset is crucial. Be extremely open, curious, and willing. You’re there to learn how to treat, best practices, what to expect…If I was to suggest anything to be knowledgeable in to make a good impression, I would suggest diving more into autism spectrum disorder, ADHD in kids, behavior strategies, and activity ideas. ASD, ADHD, and behaviors are extremely prevalent and you will most likely encounter them. Be familiar with visual perceptual terms / activities and fine motor terms / activities. Take literal notes of the diagnosis you see and research them after work. Use your resources to your advantage. Look up ideas on Pinterest, watch KZbin videos, look up OT blogs. Above all, show love, patience, and kindness…those go a long way. ❤️ Keep me updated!

[@janaebilliot1136]

I love this videos I can never find any Cota day in the life’s and I just want to know if the pay is stable and liveable I’m a high school student and want to pursue this as a career

[@carlythecota]

Thank you for watching! I definitely think that the pay is stable and liveable! Your pay will depend on where you live, your experience, and your setting. For example, home health COTAs get paid more than pediatric COTAs. The more experience, certifications, and specializations you get, the more valuable you will be to a company. There are so many options and routes so you can determine what pay bracket you’re comfortable with!