Is working as an OT really that bad?

[flossiewossie124]

Not sure if this is AIBU but here goes... I need to vent!

Just a bit of background, I graduated only a few years ago and am now working in the City (HR role). Pay is good but I really, really despise everything about working in a corporate environment- the office politics, the pointless meetings... The list goes on. It just doesnt suit me. I have always wanted to work in Occupational Therapy after completing a project abroad in this area. Bit cringe... but I love the idea of spending my day making a real difference. Anyway, took annual leave and today I completed my first day of work shadowing an Occupational Therapist (I want to gain more experience before I jump head first into a Masters conversion course).

At the end of the day, the OT and I had a chat and she basically said I was mad to leave an office job and that I will never be able to afford a house working for the NHS, the hours are gruelling, I will find it hard to get past Band 5, I will probably grow to hate the place etc. WTF?! I was bewildered! I know it's only Monday but come on...

I know I wont be driving a Ferrari working as an OT but surely I'll be semi comfortable? Or do I have my head in the clouds? Out of curiosity, I've had a look at NHS bands and I think I would start at around 29k at Band 5. I live in inner London with a relative so I luckily wont have the burden of ridiculous rents (I also dont ever plan on buying in London like she seemed to think?!). And surely one can move up the pay scale after a few years? Band 6 in inner London looks to be around 30-40kish. Band 7 is also listed but I expect it will take a long time to get to that stage. My ultimate (very) long term goal is to move to Australia and I know that healthcare salaries are well paid there.

I dont know... I was really looking forward to today and I just feel very deflated tbh and would like to hear other opinions. Maybe I should just stay where I am. I hadn't really given too much notice to the salaries but I guess the OT was just trying to warn me. Hoping for a better experience with her tomorrow!

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm almost finished the work shadowing and I have had an absolute ball. I really hope I can get onto a Masters course now! Might be a bit tricky as I have a non-related degree so I guess I'll cross that bridge when it comes to it. The OT actually apologised the other day and said she was just having a bad day. @chocodrops I had no idea you could do an apprenticeship! Must look into it. Thanks again guys

OT within MH services would be my fantasy job

Also there are new OT roles ( up to B7) in the new GP/ Primary Care contract so hopefully even more opportunities for progression

Interesting, good to know @MsRosewater

@Grumpbum123 It really is so interesting. Why dont you go for it?

I shadowed OTs in Stoke and they all seemed to genuinely enjoy and value their work they were a lovely team.

I'm a nurse, I've always fancied being an OT!

OT like many other jobs is hit and miss. There are some incredibly dull jobs which are essentially handing out toilet seats, and in mental health depending on the team you are put in where you are known for just baking cakes with patients...however get the right team, the right area and it is a very rewarding, creative and mentally stimulating career which has a lot to offer. I'm an OT, love what I do now but hated some jobs before.

I am an OT and used to be an HR manager so the move is definitely achievable!

I love my job and so glad I made the move. I work in social care and love the autonomy and diverse and challenging workload.

There is lots of paperwork and bureaucracy but I love the difference I can make on a daily basis. HR never gave my anywhere near that level of satisfaction. I had thought of looking at some sort of vocational rehab role in the future as well.

flossiewossie I have worked with lots of OT's (I'm a psychologist) and, while I think NHS roles mean a lack of time and an excess of paperwork, they really are highly valued by others in the children's workforce. Some work in really interesting roles, such as ASD diagnostic clinics and with children in care.

We were fortunate to be able to pay for private OT for my son and the OT's at the practice loved the direct therapeutic work, which they often combined with other interesting roles, such as work in special schools, research posts and therapeutic work with children who had experienced developmental trauma.

Please don't let one disillusioned OT put you off. I think it sounds like a great profession, especially if you are somewhere like central London, where you'll have access to all sorts of interesting roles

What age did you retrain at sandlake?

Boogle psychologist was my retraining plan...!

Everyone will give you different advice. Every job is different for every person too! Maybe that OT would be better suited in another job.
Maybe OT would be perfect fortou. Her experience is really nothing to do with you.

Trust your own git instinct

*gut

Quick question not worthy of its own thread... Do OTs wear scrubs?

I'm also considering a career change, not that the scrubs would make it or break it!

I have recently started as a midwife in inner London and band 5 on just over £29k (Plus supplements for nights/weekends) so you are right. It is a good jump at band 6 (I automatically move up after a year when I complete my preceptorship)

I had an office job and on £34k before I was 25. Would probably be on about £45k now if I stayed but I wanted a job that made me happy. I had to be off sick a few weeks ago due to conjunctivitis so not allowed to work and I was so sad. Couldn't wait to get back....I certainly did not feel that way in my old job.

So many people thought I was crazy but I don't regret it for a second.

@hennybeans no not as a rule! Most wear green trousers and a while tunic top, unless you work in mental health or for a local authority, when it's just usually office wear.

I'm an NHS OT
Band 7, been qualified 10 years
Earn £42k
I love it 90% of time an you definitely make a difference every day!

The other 10% is office politics, pointless meetings and horrible people (usually patients relatives )

@00deed1988 it must be amazing having such a rewarding job. well done on the jump! There is nothing worse than having a job you dont like- I'm dreading going back to my work Monday :(

@NameNumber5 are you based in London too? Thankfully I didnt come across any horrible patients but I guess it happens in any healthcare job

I'm in Lincolnshire

@LanieM87 Thanks, I saw a PP mention green trousers being awful and thought that meant scrubs. Will Google for an image.

I work very closely with OTs and it's a great job with so much job satisfaction. Unfortunately the politics of the NHS are hard to get away from in any job as a hcp. Certainly a better quality of life ( no unsicial hours) than with nursing/medicine/ other ahp jobs like radiography or physio.

@SquahedFlyBiscuit I retrained in my mid 30s.

I'm commenting as the parent of an adult with AN, I was very impressed with the OT we had in their childhood. It made a world of difference.

Have you done any paediatric OT shadowing flossiewossie some areas have OTs that specialise in sensory processing for the kids (who grow into adults) with AN, it can be an interesting field to work in.
www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/disabilities/docs/young-people/Making%20Sense%20of%20Sensory%20Behaviour.pdf?

The NHS has cut sensory OT provision in a lot of areas, so do check the likelihood of employment in the NHS before specialising in this field. Across the board in SEN diagnostics and treatments, it's common to find people who work part time for the NHS and part time privately.