So, today was my last day of work. Well, I called in sick today, but I was honest. I didn't say I was sick. I told them I didn't have any thing left to do and that since I'm only getting $10 per day for any sick days I haven't used, it was more beneficial for me to call in then to work.
I was really sad, but this week I've been much more happy about quitting my job. I can only take one day at a time and I absolutely wasn't going to go any further in my job without an increase in degree status.
I was already paid on the BA degree scale, so when I had attain my BA I wouldn't have gotten any pay increase. I was also at the top of the scale for steps in "years of employment" so I couldn't get any more raises from that. I was also employed as an OT Assistant, which means I can't EVER get any MORE responsibility. As an assistant I'm not allowed to do assessments, program planning, treatment planning, advocacy, nor can I get certified or specialized in ANY areas of OT because I'm the Assistant and not the therapist. This would be fine if I didn't have 16 years of experience and past OT therapists who supervised me had me do the previous tasks because I had the skills and they utilized my experience. As an assistant, if I get a new OT supervisor, it doesn't matter how much experience they have or that I have, I'm still an assistant and my hands are tied as to what I can do to help the kids/patients.
If I was the OT I would be servicing more kids in the schools. Yes, I fully understand the funding and legalities of OT ancillary services, but I also know that OT should be giving in-service trainings so the kids don't have to be "failing" before the teacher or staff know what to do to help the kids. We can be part of the intervention plans for all children with disabilities, not just the ones in SPED.
So, I'm happy to be quitting and moving onto (I hope) a new place of employment, education and to experience opportunities to grow professionally and from within.
