Occupational Therapy Profession Overview

Occupational Therapists help people regain or learn daily living, leisure/play, and work skills. Each day is made up of tiny “jobs,” from getting dressed in the morning to eating breakfast to driving a car. For most of us, these jobs don’t seem like work at all, but things we do in order to simply live. However, many people have difficulties with these tasks because of developmental disabilities, or as a result of a debilitating disease or injury. Children and adults with any kind of disability or development delay may struggle with the “job of life.” they may have physical or mental problems that make it hard to do everyday things. Or, they may have suffered an injury or been in an accident. No matter what the cause, it is important for people to be able to do the activities that they need and want to do. Occupational therapists help people do those things.

Occupational therapists may work in hospitals, rehabilitation or mental health programs, public schools, nursing care facilities, community settings, private clinics, and physician’s offices, or even in industry preventing work related dysfunctions.

Therapists collaborate with individuals with permanent disabilities or temporary disabilities in the use of adaptive equipment, or design equipment needed at home or at work to maintain a high quality of life.

• An individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals
• Customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals
• An outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan

From (https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot)

To become an occupational therapist, you will first need to get a bachelor’s degree and then go on to a master’s degree program in occupational therapy. As an undergraduate, you can major in anything that interests you so long as you make sure to take the necessary prerequisites for the occupational therapy programs you apply to. Most will require courses in biology and physiology, and some programs will also expect you to have volunteered or worked in an occupational therapy setting.

Master’s programs generally take two to three years to complete. Some students go on to get a doctorate in occupational therapy. Doctoral programs usually require three years of study.

Is occupational therapy a possible career for you?

Do you have the following qualities? If so, occupational therapy might be a good fit for you!

• Compassion: Occupational therapists are often drawn to the profession in part by a desire to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.
• Detail oriented: Like other healthcare providers, occupational therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.
• Interpersonal skills: Because occupational therapists spend a lot of time interacting with patients, they should enjoy working with people. They must be able to explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns to provide effective therapy.
• Physical stamina: Occupational therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving as they work with patients. They should enjoy physical activity.
• Resourcefulness: Occupational therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be flexible and able to adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient.