| Many people interested in a medical career are often | | | | physics, health, and social sciences, is recommended. |
| not aware of the field of Occupational Therapy. A | | | | Work experience, either paid or volunteer, is a highly |
| career as an Occupational Therapist is both personally | | | | valuable asset. |
| and financially rewarding. Occupational Therapists help | | | | Occupational Therapy Jobs |
| patients with a wide number of conditions that include | | | | Occupational therapists work in a wide variety of |
| developmental disabilities, training patients with | | | | areas of the medical profession. They can work in |
| permanent disabilities to utilize adaptive equipment, | | | | schools, hospitals, children's hospitals, home health, |
| motor skills rehabilitation, repair short term memory loss, | | | | rehabilitation facilities, children's clinics, nursing homes, |
| improving decision making, as well as creating and | | | | home care, out-patient care, private practices, health |
| implementing rehabilitation plans and evaluating a | | | | boards, community mental health centers, clinics, |
| patient's progress. Basically, Occupational Therapy is a | | | | halfway houses, groups homes, vocational programs, |
| type of therapy that helps people return to their | | | | community action groups, and workers compensation |
| previous occupations. | | | | boards. |
| Education | | | | They can also be found working as consultants for |
| To become an Occupational Therapist, one needs to | | | | businesses, organizations, and governments. |
| complete a university undergraduate degree in a | | | | Government work can be in the areas of rehabilitation |
| Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree | | | | program development, health awareness and |
| program. The undergraduate degree usually takes four | | | | programs, disability prevention and management, |
| years and then one must obtain a graduate degree in | | | | accessibility, and vocational and health planning. |
| Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapy courses | | | | Occupational therapists are also finding employment as |
| include biology, physical, and behavioral sciences. | | | | teachers in undergraduate and graduate health |
| Examples of specific classes include anatomy, | | | | profession programs |
| kinesiology, developmental psychology, pathology, | | | | Job Outlook |
| neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics..etc. There are also | | | | Employment opportunities are expected to increase, |
| occupational therapy skills and theory courses. Included | | | | especially for therapists who treat the elderly. They |
| in the program is a 6 month work term. Occupational | | | | are also increasingly taking on more supervisory roles. |
| Therapy students must pass national and state | | | | Changing societal needs have caused an increased |
| examinations. Those who pass the exam are | | | | demand for Occupational Therapists. Some of these |
| awarded the title, "Occupational Therapist Registered | | | | changes include: |
| (OTR)." Some states have additional stipulations for | | | | - An increase in accident survival |
| therapists who work in such areas as schools or early | | | | - Increased disability awareness |
| intervention programs. These requirements can include | | | | - Aging population. |
| an early intervention certification, an education practice | | | | - Increase in stress, mental health issues, and personal |
| certificate, or other education classes. | | | | and family issues |
| Occupational therapists are expected to continue their | | | | - Increase in public awareness about health issues |
| professional education by taking continuing education | | | | To be an Occupational Therapist, one needs to be |
| classes and workshops. In fact, a number of states | | | | patient, able to motivate others, be creative, and have |
| stipulate continuing education as a requirement of | | | | strong interpersonal skills. Due to its wide variety of |
| maintaining licensure. | | | | career options, people who become Occupational |
| For those interested in a career in Occupational | | | | Therapists will find an area that is both rewarding and |
| Therapy, taking high school courses in the sciences, | | | | satisfying. |