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!

I'm an OT. I now work in Older Adult Mental Health as a band 6, but went on rotation for a while in a general hospital setting after qualifying. I love my job. I chose it because I am interested in both physical and mental health so OPMH offers a bit of both. No, the money isn't amazing, but I've bought a house with my partner who earns about the same as me. We just had to save hard for the deposit. And I'm happy with our lifestyle. Some days are hard, as in any job, but the good days make it so worth it :)

I'm an OT in adult Social Care, I feel the pay is reasonable for the work I do, it's not mega bucks but it's not a pittance either. I think the great thing about OT is the diversity of the roles you can do and the pay can vary between NHS, local authority and private work. I've been qualified 10 years and a lot of people I trained with are at band 7 or equivalent levels so there is definitely scope for progression.

Also just to say I have not worn green trousers since I was a student, I mostly wear black jeggings and a lightweight jumper!

Just saw this thread and was horrified by your first post @flossiewossie124 - glad to see your follow up comments! It's actually really easy for band 5's to move up to band 6 and most do so after about 2 years. I love being an OT I work in community rehab and I always think it is such a privilege to be able to go into peoples homes and help them regain their independence.

I'm band 7 community OT and I love it.

I believe in my job and have the hours I want. WFH when I need to. It's fabulous.

I've been a mental health OT in various different settings ( in and around London) for nearly 12 years and although it has its stressful moments I love it.
It also gives you a route to other roles .... I currently work as an emergency mental health practitioner (band 7). I have worked in team leader roles, community OT and inpatient wards.
If you go for it look for a band 5 rotation once qualified so you get to try out a few different settings and placements before you commit to a speciality.

My husband is an OT he specialises In major adaptations he says the most difficult part of his job is managing peoples or mainly the families of the clients expectations. Also if he wanted to he could work towards becoming an approved mental heath assessor which he is considering. I say go for it.

great to see so many MN OT's. I qualified over 30 years ago, have done many different roles and worked in other countries too as an ot. I have genuinely loved every job and never not wanted to go to work in the morning. It is a fantastic job. Go for it.

I'm a Band 6 OT in Major Trauma at a large London teaching hospital...I've been qualified for almost 6 years, the job is brilliant and I love it, although it can be emotional at times! Definitely go for it, highly recommend!

As a therapist (physio not OT) in the NHS - I LOVE my job and would do it all again. I am now in a senior position so earning a decent wage (nothing like a city salary but it pays the bills!) I've had a fantastic career journey, made some great friends and am so proud of the impact I've had on many patients lives. It's hard work but I'd make the same choices in a heartbeat

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

It's worth thinking about the fact that some people love their role in equipment provision and that it can make a huge difference to people's lives (not my cup of tea but hugely valuable role). I'd also argue that if people think all you do is bake cakes, you need to practise articulating your clinical reasoning!

Sometimes it might take a while to find your fit, doesn't mean the service or team is the issue but that perhaps it's not right for you.

Really, any of us would be lucky if we are able to be an OT.

Many homeless and dying people put there.

I've been an OT for about 20 years and tbh, I actually don't think I'd recommend it. Or my area of work. I work in the acute sector and it's changed so much since I first qualified. The focus is very much getting people out of hospital ASAP and actually quality of life is less of a priority. I've often thought about moving to a community setting, yet I hear colleagues there saying the same - caseloads that are far too high, having to case manage and having to manage expectations because there are no budgets for equipment or adaptations. In theory it's a great, satisfying job where you should have the potential to make a difference, but sadly the reality doesn't match that at the moment.

Yes I have worked as an OT for 21 years and would agree with the above poster.

the office politics, the pointless meetings

I work in HR in the private sector, creative environment (interesting bunch....!) so not corporate at all....we get all those things still. The point is though they vary from company to company and sometimes you just need different politics. I much prefer my current employer over my previous one, both have politics though.

Interesting thread, was just saying to DD this morning that my biggest regret is doing Psychology degree instead OT. I would work in mental health but have missed the boat now age wise.

Hi, OT here 👋 qualified around 8 years now.
I went down the route of doing a Psychology degree straight after sixth form and then worked as a one to one learning support/ health assistant in a school with children with medical/ learning needs for two years and then did the post grad in OT which was over two years.

I started in the NHS on rotations and then worked my way up to band 6 in NHS after specialising more in elderly rehab and then took a little career break to travel for two months and then decided to try some locuming which enabled me to get some experience in social services as an OT. Then gained a permanent job within social services. Now my role is assessing for major adaptations, doing complex moving and handling assessments/ interventions, assessing for specialist seating to name the most common roles.

I love it.... OT is so diverse... so many settings.. there’s also the avenue that you can go independent if you do wish.

Have a look at the RCOT website which I’m sure you have done already. p.s I’m not saying there isn’t days where you think hmmm but I haven’t had that in my current role and I’m someone that couldn’t work in the same setting/ work place probably any more than 3 years... to have a look at the kind of roles/ have a look at RCOT website and LGjobs/ NHS website/ charity sector jobs and perhaps you may wish to look at doing assistant OT work (unsure of the salary difference from your current role so may mean a pay cut which dependent on your circumstances may not be possible)

Just want to add- I did leave the NHS during a role where it may became clear I was doing so much discharge planning and less OT.. so depends on setting/ the trust you work for. Or the council you work for in case of social services. Really we spend so much of life working that, honestly it makes life better ot you enjoy your work.

I work to live though.. not live to work. I enjoy my job, it’s rewarding. But life is short and work life balance is important. I don’t work weekends in my current role or bank holidays and Iv currently changed to part time following maternity leave.

Feel free to PM me if you wish.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I had a friend who dropped everything and retrained as an OT, she absolutely loved it and never looked back.
If it's what you want to do, go for it. And you will certainly get good rates of pay in Australia if that's your future goal.