r/OccupationalTherapy

TLDR: If you as an OT we’re sued or if your license was reprimanded, how would you legally defend that you have been treating cervical spines, knees, jaws, ankles, or other body areas that many say are not within OT scope of practice?

For 20 years I have tried to do what is right as an OT. It’s gotten harder and harder every year. Fraud is everywhere, our integrity as practitioners and as human is challenged every day. Now, I’m about to lose my job because I will not practice out of our scope. This current issue is not one of corporate greed, however. It is caused by a lack of clarity in our OT programs (ACOTE), lack of clarity by AOTA, NBCOT, and great ambiguity by our State practice acts.

Some random anecdotes:

1. I had a level II student tell me the other day- “My professor said OTs can treat anything on the entire body”

2. I’ve personally seen OTs doing ultrasound and manual therapy on knees

3. OTs treating TMJ disorder

4. OTs doing lumbar and cervical spine manipulations and interventions

Ten years ago, a clinic pressured me to rehabilitate a neck fracture. I’m not talking about bed positioning, w/c positioning, adls, I’m talking about cervical manipulations, exercises, stretches, etc. I refused and defended my position with a statement I found on AOTAs website. I highly regret I did not download or screenshot this statement for my records today. The statement read something like this to the best of my recollection (I am paraphrasing)

“Regarding treatment of lumbar and cervical pain: OTs scope should be defined by what is taught in OT school, what is traditionally done by OT (vs PT or other professions), and what is defined by your State practice act. OTs traditionally address lumbar and cervical issues through positioning interventions, environmental assessments, postural assessment and education, and adaptive strategies for ADLs.” OTs should not be performing cervical or lumbar interventions other than the ones listed above that are more in line with our scope”

Kicking myself in the ass for not saving that article. Anyone else have that article?

I know a lot of you OTs out there are working on necks, backs, maybe ankles, knees, jaws, and feel it’s justified. If you were sued or reprimanded in any way, how would you justify that these interventions are within your scope?

Hi OT! Curious if anyone has had experience treating adjustment disorder with a secondary diagnosis of anxiety, new grad here and unsure best approach to treat

TIA

I’m thinking about doing travel this year in CA after 3 years in a SNF, and had a couple questions.

I) When looking at different companies what’s the important thing I should be comparing?

2. Has anyone traveled with AMN or Aequor and what was your experience with them?

3. I’ll probably do NorCal since I never been north before, what cities to avoid? I already know about Stockton, that’s a no go for me 😅 and maybe Sac too.

I am a pediatric SLP (just starting my CFY) working primarily with autistic children with high support needs and low communication skills. Many of them are either on waitlists for OT or we are heavily recommending OT. It is hard to teach any communication or language skills when they are so disregulated and their attention is so low.

I saw an instagram post from an OT explaining how kids can’t “learn” until they have a foundation of sensory motor development (i.e. body awareness, motor planning, reflex maturation, postural security, attention center functions, etc). I have also heard a bit from OTs about the importance of core support in regulation and brain function. But as someone with limited education in this, I don’t fully know what it looks like to support these needs, especially as an SLP.

As an SLP, what can I incorporate into my practice that supports sensory motor needs, core support, etc.? Any articles I can read on this or practical tips are appreciated!

my first job post grad will be in outpatient orthopedics! I love ortho and it’s one of the reasons I went to OT school!

I will be the only OT on staff and so I won’t have any direct mentorship. I did my level 2 in outpatient orthopedics, so I was able to gain valuable experience in the setting! Any advice for those in orthopedics rn or took any job after school with no direct mentorship?

I’ve been working in a pre-K setting for about 3 months now and honestly feel pretty overwhelmed. I keep finding myself working past my scheduled hours or bringing work home just to keep up with daily notes and annual reviews. I barely have time to plan for the day or week, which makes it hard to really focus on students’ goals, communicate with parents, or even look into evidence-based interventions. I have a caseload of 25 students. Any advice on how to manage all of this better?

Hi just wondering if anyone on here uses AMPAC Cognition short form in their acute care setting? My department has been getting slammed with cognitive referrals , primarily for MoCAs, which aren’t always appropriate in acute care setting. I stumbled upon the ACISF, our hospital uses the ADL and mobility portion, but I can’t find much research on how beneficial the ACISF is. Any input greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone! I'm an OT student from Finland and I'm doing a podcast about occupational therapy and studying it with my classmate. We're doing an episodes about how the education system and culture around OT differes in different countries and the places above are the ones I need to find some information! Of course I'm also going to find information from legit sites but I thought it would be nice to hear something straight from ots!

So, if you have studied or worked as an OT in one or more of theses places, I would be really grateful of you could answer! The answers are gonna be talked about in the podcast but ofc without pseudonyms.

1. what countries perspective are you talking of?

2. What does it require to become an OT in your country? For example, is it an uni degree or university of applied sciences or something else, how many years does it take to graduate and is it an bachelors, masters or an doctorare degree or does your country have something else or a different schooling system? how many hours of fieldwork does your degree include and do you need to get some certificates, diplomas etc to be able to specialize in something?

3. what kind of culture is in your country around occupational therapists? for example, here most people dont know what occupational therapy is and most of the ones who know don't think that its an legit form of rehabilitation, even in a healthcare setting.

4. do you need to pay to get the degree or is education free for you?

5. Can you find information about occupational therapy in your country and language easily? Did you know what exactly you were going to study before hand?

6. anything else you might want to add?

thank you so much in advance If you answer!

Hi all! I have found myself in a tough place and am looking for advice. I am getting ready to start my first level 2 fieldwork in a month. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have found myself in a pretty terrible financial predicament and am looking for solutions. I live in a 1 bed apartment through the end of my fieldwork, and am not going to have the funds to pay my last month and my other living expenses. I have a remote Graduate Assistant position, but it doesn't pay me enough to cover this. However, this being remote is kind of my only option. Does anyone know of any ways to make fast cash without committing to a part time job? Was considering a weekend only part time job, but having no luck with anywhere working with my availability.

I need help with resources, CEUs, or strategies for goal development and appropriate treatment planning for a teen patient with multiple significant neurological and neurodevelopmental disabilities who is now also experiencing rapid progression of a poorly-known genetic illness that is most likely to be eventually terminal. His skills are overall regressing, but can be highly inconsistent based on that day’s presentation. I want to make sure I am doing everything I can to help him, support him in feeling as safe and comfortable as is possible, and help him with QOL to enjoy his life and participate in his daily and preferred activities as long as he can, too. I also want to better help guide his family as their support needs and grief will only increase over time.

I’m a bit overwhelmed and would be incredibly grateful for any guidance on how to goal write and treatment plan for progressive cases where skill loss is anticipated rather than skill development. We are rural with limited local services and less access to resources, so we often have to use creative solutions. I’d also be grateful for tips from OTs who have lost pediatric patients, too, as this is heavy on my heart—we’ve built a strong therapeutic relationship over our time together, and seeing him decline has been painful.

Thank you so much.

Starting my very first job in outpatient ortho on Monday and I’m kindve nervous bc I feel like I don’t remember much. I mean I know the basics but like I just don’t know what to expect she said as long as I know anatomy I’m good but I feel like I mix up some stuff and I’m really interested in this setting so I want it to work out 😭

Hi guys, I am third year student doing bachelor of nutrition and dietetics in australia.

I am an international student. The reason why I decided to take a master degree in OT is because, as an immigrant, I need a clear and potential pathway to get PR. Being a Dietitian is great, since it is the most relaxing job in healthcare. Therefore, the demand for it is not alot, and I have not seen any dietitian got invited for 190 until now (189 is not available for dietitian).

Then, I decided to graduate with a bachelor degree in Nutrition Science (exit award) instead of finishing year 4 and graduate with bachelor of nutiriton and dietetics. after that, i will start my master degree in OT.

From what i have known so far is that it is so hard for dietitian to get higher in their career, an underrated job, and low salary. So, it is hard to get PR as well as getting higher in the future career.

Regarding OT, it is as demanding jobs. There is a huge shortage in Australia, well paid, and clear career pathway. However, I know it is so so hard in terms of my mental health, work life balance, and the amount of knowledge I have to get updated. I am aware of these challenges, especially when I have my family and kids.

But everything has pros and cons.

Does anyone have PR as a dietitian?

How do you think about this decision?

Any advice?

A bit about myself: I am 21, third year student in bachelor of nutrition and dietetics, and considering take a master degree in OT next year.

Thank you everyone for your advice in advance!!!

I live in NYC, and while in college I was encouraged to take all civil service tests even though I had no interest in working a civil service job. I majored in marketing and when I graduated I could not get any jobs. I was close on the list for sanitation and the idea of becoming a sanitation worker, which was never ever desirable for me, started to make a little sense. Job security, pension, benefits, 22 year retirement. So that was my plan. In the meantime, I worked in the DOE as a substitute teacher. Now, 5 years post grad, I got called for sanitation. I’m at a crossroads because the 22 year retirement is a major plus but I truly am going to miss the work life balance and schedule working in the DOE. Plus the work itself and the hours is making me dread a job I haven’t even started yet. I have thought about becoming a gym teacher but have been advised by other gym teachers that if they had the option to go back and choose between dsny or gym teacher they would choose dsny. Now I’m looking into school based OT. It seems like a good salary, which the opportunity to make even more than your base salary with other per diem/ afterschool opportunities. But is it worth it? Should I pursue getting a masters in OT or should I just stick it out with sanitation?

Hello,

Requesting you to kindly help out by filling this survey on: international perspectives on anatomy and physiology teaching within occupational therapy education. Here's the survey link:  https://brookeshls.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_07Z84RqmgMFoFJY

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Inclusion criteria (all must apply)

1. Professional background: Qualified occupational therapist who completed an accredited OT programme (WFOT and/or relevant national accreditation) in the UK, USA, Canada, or India.
2. Recency of graduation: Within 1–3 years post-qualification at the time of participation.
3. Country scope: Resident, trained, or currently practising in UK, USA, Canada, or India.
4. Consent and capacity: Able to provide informed consent and take part in survey/interview.
5. Language: Sufficient English proficiency to complete study materials provided in English.

Exclusion Criteria (any one excludes):

1. Not an OT graduate (e.g., current students or other disciplines).
2. Graduated >3 years ago**.**
3. Programme not accredited by WFOT and/or the appropriate national body.
4. Under 18 years of age.
5. Unable to provide informed consent or unable to complete study materials in English.

• Countries or geographic areas eligible to participate: India, UK, USA and Canada

Thank you!

Hi! Everyone, for those who work in NYC DOE. I just got hired and wanted to ask if Chancellor’s Day and Clerical Day are days off for us? Or do we attend a meeting? It’s on June 4 and 5 this year (2026). I wanted to schedule a road test and wanted to match my schedule for those days if we do have a day off. If not, it’s fine 😅

Hi, I’m looking to become a CLT through the norton school. I’ve heard really good things about it and am thinking about biting the bullet and going for it.

To any therapists out there that have done this course, what was the self study part like? what was the in-person part of the course like?

Does anyone have any tips or general study guide recs to keep your self accountable with self studying??