Median annual earnings of occupational therapists were $51,990 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,910 and $ 61,620. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,390. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of occupational therapists in 2002 were as follows:
| Offices of other health practitioners | $53,660 |
| Nursing care facilities | 53,930 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 53,210 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 45,740 |
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory loss might be encouraged to make lists to aid recall, and a person with coordination problems might be assigned exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. Occupational therapists also use computer programs to help clients improve decisionmaking, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination—all of which are important for independent living.
Therapists instruct those with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, in the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, splints, and aids for eating and dressing. They also design or make special equipment needed at home or at work. Therapists develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of their environment.
Some occupational therapists treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment has been impaired. These practitioners arrange employment, evaluate the work environment, plan work activities, and assess the clientŐs progress. Therapists also may collaborate with the client and the employer to modify the work environment so that the work can be successfully completed.
Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group or with particular disabilities. In schools, for example, they evaluate childrenŐs abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and help children participate as fully as possible in school programs and activities. Occupational therapy also is beneficial to the elderly population. Therapists help the elderly lead more productive, active, and independent lives through a variety of methods, including the use of adaptive equipment.
Occupational therapists in mental-health settings treat individuals who are mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally disturbed. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to engage in and cope with daily life. Activities include time management skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking, and the use of public transportation. Occupational therapists also may work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders.
Assessing and recording a clientŐs activities and progress is an important part of an occupational therapistŐs job. Accurate records are essential for evaluating clients, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers.
.Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the job market for occupational therapists in the near term. However, over the long run, the demand for occupational therapists should continue to rise as a result of growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function who require therapy services. The baby-boom generationŐs movement into middle age, a period when the incidence of heart attack and stroke increases, will spur the demand for therapeutic services. Growth in the population 75 years and older—an age group that suffers from high incidences of disabling conditions—also will increase the demand for therapeutic services. In addition, medical advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive—patients who ultimately may need extensive therapy.
Hospitals will continue to employ a large number of occupational therapists to provide therapy services to acutely ill inpatients. Hospitals also will need occupational therapists to staff their outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Employment growth in schools will result from the expansion of the school-age population and extended services for disabled students. Therapists will be needed to help children with disabilities prepare to enter special education programs.
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Currently, a bachelorŐs degree in occupational therapy is the minimum requirement for entry into this field. Beginning in 2007, however, a masterŐs degree or higher will be the minimum educational requirement. As a result, students in bachelorŐs-level programs should complete their coursework and fieldwork before 2007. All States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of occupational therapy. To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a national certification examination. Those who pass the exam are awarded the title "Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).Ó
In 2003, entry-level education was offered in 38 bachelorŐs degree programs, 3 postbaccalaureate certificate programs for students with a degree other than occupational therapy, and 86 entry-level masterŐs degree programs. There were 48 programs that offered a combined bachelorŐs and masterŐs degree and 5 offered an entry-level doctoral degree. Most schools have full-time programs, although a growing number also offer weekend or part-time programs.
Occupational therapy coursework includes physical, biological, and behavioral sciences and the application of occupational therapy theory and skills. Completion of 6 months of supervised fieldwork also is required.
Persons considering this profession should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, art, and the social sciences. College admissions offices also look favorably at paid or volunteer experience in the healthcare field.
Occupational therapists need patience and strong interpersonal skills to inspire trust and respect in their clients. Ingenuity and imagination in adapting activities to individual needs are assets. Those working in home healthcare services must be able to adapt to a variety of settings.
.Occupational therapists use specialized knowledge to help individuals perform daily living skills and achieve maximum independence. Other workers performing similar duties include audiologists, chiropractors, physical therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation counselors, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
For more information on occupational therapy as a career, contact:
A bachelorŐs degree in occupational therapy is the minimum educational requirement; beginning in 2007, however, a masterŐs degree or higher will be required. Occupational therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles. More than a quarter of occupational therapists work part time. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm
Lifting (up to 25 kilograms or more) may be required in some employment settings. Post-secondary institutions throughout the province offer one year and two year university tranfer programs. Math and science courses are recommended for students planning to go on to study occupational therapy. For current information about programs and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary institution calendars or websites. Salary According to the 2003 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, most Albertans in the Occupational Therapists occupational group earned from $18,500 to $160,400 per year.
Summary of: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?aspAction=GetHTMLProfile&format=html&OCCPRO_ID=71003296
106-114 Borough High Street, Southwark, London SE1 1LB.
Summary of: http://www.cot.org.uk/
After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program, therapists must pass a licensure exam before they can practice. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy. They also determine patientsŐ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. The job can be physically demanding because therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm
WHAT IS CARE MANAGEMENT. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AS CARE MANAGERS 3. THERE IS A LACK OF TRAINING FOR THE NEW ROLE. All names of participants and of their borough have been omitted to preserve confidentiality. Occupational therapists working as care managers were interviewed to investigate their subjective experiences of the advantages and drawbacks of working as care managers.
Summary of: http://www.otdirect.co.uk/caremang.html
This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-1122.00
A bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is the minimum educational requirement; beginning in 2007, however, a master's degree or higher will be required. Occupational therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles. More than a quarter of occupational therapists work part-time. Nature of the Work Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They also help them to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills.
Summary of: http://healthcare.monster.com/therapy/articles/occupationaltherapist/
They not only help clients improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also compensate for permanent loss of function. Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer, to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. They also design or make special equipment needed at home or at work. Occupational therapists in mental health settings treat individuals who are mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally disturbed. Working Conditions Occupational therapists in hospitals and other health care and community settings generally work a 40-hour week.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/237.htm
For many of us, these jobs don't seem like work at all, but things we do in order to simply live. Then they meet with patients and evaluate their skills and abilities. Next, therapists set rehabilitation goals that are realistic for patients. If patients are receiving other types of therapy, therapists coordinate activities with other therapists. However, occupational therapists are also concerned with psychological and social factors.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100141