Changing Jobs as an Experienced OT: What to Weigh Up
After several years in practice, a move can be a good way to change your caseload, your hours or your pay, and it often brings a fresh set of clinical questions to work on. It is also a decision that deserves more care than a first job, because you now have a good idea of what you do and do not want from your working week.
These are the things I would look at before saying yes to a new role.
Start with what you want to change
It helps to be clear about why you are looking. Some OTs want a different client group, some want fewer or more hours, and some want higher pay, a shorter commute or a clear path to a senior position. Putting those in order makes it much easier to read an ad, because most roles will give you some of what you want and not all of it.
Ask how the role is funded
Public, private and community roles are paid and run differently. Public sector roles are often paid on set pay scales under an award or enterprise agreement, while private employers set their own pay at or above the award minimum. In private practice and community work, the source of funding shapes the week. NDIS, Medicare, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, workers compensation and private clients each come with their own rules and reporting, and report writing takes a real share of the week in many of these roles, as I mentioned in my post on paediatric OT jobs.
Find out what a normal week looks like
Ask how much of the day is direct work with clients and how much is left for notes, reports, travel and team meetings. Ask whether there are targets for client hours, and what happens when a client cancels. These are reasonable questions. You should expect clear answers.
Look at the whole package
Compare the total package and not only the headline salary. That means superannuation, leave, any salary packaging, allowances, and paid time for supervision and professional development. My post on occupational therapist salaries in Australia covers the questions worth asking, along with the figures currently published for senior OTs.
Check your registration and insurance
Your registration stays with you when you change employers, but a few things are worth checking. The Occupational Therapy Board requires OTs to hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance, so ask whether the employer's policy covers you and whether it includes the kind of work you will be doing, such as home visits or telehealth. Every practising OT must also complete continuing professional development, so it is worth asking whether your new employer supports it with time or a budget.
Give yourself time to decide
A new job is a bigger decision when you already have a routine and clients you care about. Check your notice period and leave balances before you resign, and think about how you will hand over your caseload so that your current clients are looked after. Asking for a few days to think over an offer is a reasonable request, and a good employer will understand it.
The Jobs page on OT Jobs Australia lists current roles across public, private and community settings, and it is a useful place to compare what employers are offering before you decide. Whatever you choose, I hope the next role suits you well.