Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant - return to school for stay at home mom?
Asked by Sheryl B
My kids will be in school next year and I would like to go back to work part time. I was considering a career as a COTA or PTA - any thoughts? I'm in my mid-40's, and I'm not interested in a full on career. (I've done that.) More like something for the next 10 years or so. My questions are, do these provide good part time work hours, do you like your job, was it hard to find a part time job as a COTA or PTA? Thanks for your help.

Best Answer:
Although I am a PT, not a PTA, I can give you a lot of input into the PTA/COTA degrees. They are both two year programs. Both are in an equal amount of demand and both pay about the same. These degrees appeal to a lot of school moms and second career folks. It is a somewhat decent living for a relatively short amount of time in school. Part-time hours are available, but if you work in an outpatient clinic, you will probably need to work at least two evenings. If you work in a hospital or nursing home setting, you will most likely work day-time hours and occasional weekends. Most PTAs I know are very satisfied, although many wish they had completed the PT degree. Yet, I think it allows one to live a balanced life...especially if your children are your focus. The PT technician, as mentioned above, acutally doesn't require any formal training, but it is a cross between a clerical and a "helper" job...most PT/OT tech positions pay about $9-10 an hour....as a PTA you will be more in the range between $17-21 and hour. The only hitch you may run into is that many PTA and COTA programs are run in full-time format. In otherwords, you need to be able to attend class about 30 hours a week. Yet, this will vary by school...and some do have part-time format as well. I would suggest you go to the APTA website at: http://www.apta.org to learn more about a career as a PTA.
I am a PT
Answered by mistify

I tried to get into the PTA program at a local community college, but they only take 16 a year, and I didn't make the cut. I heard that COTA's make more money than PTA's. I did 24 hours of observation at different places where PTA's work, and it seems that they have a rather simple job. Basically they just work with patients exercising. Most that I have talked to who work in a hospital work full-time. I don't know if you have been through PTA or COTA school, but if you haven't you could always do like Physical Therapist Technician. Not sure about the pay or hours. It seems that they do almost what the PTA's do.
Answered by ~!Cherry Girl!~

I don't work as either a COTA or a PTA, but I have worked with people who have these job titles and they seem to really enjoy thier jobs- many are part time. Both careers have a huge demand for both full and part-time. You would have to do a job shadow to see which you like more (just call any hospital and ask to do this). Generally, PTA's work with gross motor skills (walking) and COTA's work more with fine motor skills (writing, buttoning shirts, etc). You could also consider being a physical therapy aide, which pays less but requires only about a semester of training.
Answered by crazy!!

I understand your dilemma! As a mother of 4 children (17-4), I chose to leave 'corporate america' when it was just my older 2; they were 9 & 6 - then I ended up having 2 more, 3 years later. Because I had worked for so many years, it was difficult for me to just 'sit around'; even though there was laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and plenty of dishes to do in addition to PTO, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Soccer, rollerhockey and coaching both basketball teams. I investigated several careers and chose to work as a independent broker for the world's largest financial institution - Citigroup. I have the hours I want and am working for the income I want and thensome. If you would like to consider the options and you're in the Dallas area, let me know @ souders.tx@gmail.com. If not, still let me know; I can put you in touch with a collegue in your area. Olga
Answered by souders_ntx