What is Occupational Therapy?
What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapists help people "do" what they want to do, which improves their sense of satisfaction and fulfillment and contributes to their subsequent health and well-being. In helping clients gain greater self-awareness through daily occupations, occupational therapists facilitate the client's ability to create and engage in daily activities which give meaning to the person's life. Occupational therapists work with clients who may have experienced trauma, illness, or developmental issues or who may simply want to improve their health and happiness. In either case, the therapist and client collaborate in assessing, utilizing and adapting everyday activities to enhance the client's ability to engage competently in meaningful activities, including looking after oneself (self-care), re-energizing (leisure), and contributing socially and economically within the community (productivity).
Where do occupational therapists work?
A career in occupational therapy offers a wide range of opportunities and choice. Occupational therapists work with individuals across the age span, and with groups, organizations, and communities. Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings: business and industrial workplaces, community-based programs (e.g. homeless shelters, athletic clubs, mental health group homes), home health agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, transitional living environments for the elderly, and public and private schools and pre-schools. More experienced practitioners may want to consider advancement opportunity in management, specialization, teaching or research.
What type of person makes a good OT?
People who choose OT as a career are warm and caring individuals who like to work with others. Curiosity, inquisitiveness and creativity are critical characteristics of an occupational therapist because each client's life is distinctive and requires a uniquely focused approach to the provision of services. The ability to see the "big picture" while simultaneously able to critically analyze the "parts", and the tendency for continually asking "why" are characteristics which support the occupational therapist's collaborative client-centered investigative work. Each client represents a unique set of circumstances, requiring the therapist to determine the occupational successes and challenges which influence the client's health and well-being. The occupational therapist help the clients help themselves rather than doing for them. If you are innately curious about people and like to analyze and ask "why?", you might well make a good occupational therapist! What are the current employment opportunities for occupational therapists? There has never been a more exciting time to enter the field of occupational therapy. Throughout time, occupational therapy, as a philosophically guided profession, has adapted its services to meet the ever-changing occupational challenges of our communities. Although opportunities in traditional arenas of practice have declined due to health care reform, there continues to be a high demand for qualified occupational therapists in traditional as well as new emerging areas of practice. Societal and cultural changes have contributed to expanded opportunities for occupational therapy services in the community. For example, the following new markets for OT services are emerging as a result of current events, legislative action and professional advocacy.
- Ergonomics consulting
- Driver Rehabilitation and Training
- Home Design and Accessibility Consulting
- Low Vision Services
- Private Practice Community Health Services
- Technology and Assistive Device Development and Consulting
- Welfare to Work Program
- Health and Wellness Consulting
- Children and Youth Community Mental Health Services
U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that from 2002-2008, the need for occupational therapists will grow significantly faster than the average growth for all occupations.
What salary can a new graduate expect?
Salaries can vary according to geographic region and demand for service. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, annual starting salaries for an occupational therapist ranged from $37,250 to $53,568 in 2000.