What an occupational therapist does

An occupational therapist is someone who helps people who are disabled in some way, to learn how to get through each day in as normal a fashion as possible. This includes working with people who are mentally ill, physically handicapped, or developmentally or emotionally disabled. This can range from teaching somebody who has lost an arm how to dress themselves, to helping a mentally challenged person how to sit in a pizza parlor and enjoy watching the TV while surrounded by people. There are thousands of schools that specialize in occupational therapy programs, and the demand for graduates grows by the day.

 Occupational Therapy Programs Requirements.

An entry-level degree is required to enter the field and to take the national certification program. However, a doctoral will be required to add semesters in administration, leadership, and theory development, among other skills. While both degrees will require level one and level two fieldwork experience, entry-level doctoral students need to complete an extra sixteen weeks experiential component, plus a culminating project. It is also possible for an entry-level OT to acquire a teaching position at schools and universities, and to get tenure, as well, depending on the school.

 Roots of Occupational Therapy Programs

Many people think that this is a fairly new field  that began shortly after World War Two in order to help wounded veterans returning home. While occupational therapy plays a major role in rehabilitating  veterans, the first known occupational therapist lived in ancient Greece. He was a physician named Asclepiades, who began treating mentally ill people with therapeutic baths, massages, music and exercise. While the middle-ages saw a complete lack of compassion for the mentally ill and physically challenged, today there are millions of people learning to live normal lives through the help of Occupational therapists.

 The Occupational Therapy Process

The steps taken by occupational therapists in order to achieve the goals of their clients are specifically outlined for all students entering the field. In order, the eleven steps are as follows:

• Referral
• Information Gathering
• First Assessment
• Identify Needs
• Goal Setting
• Action Planning
• Action
• Ongoing Assessment
• Outcome Measurement
• End of Intervention
• Review

This world is filled with examples of greed, selfishness, hate and anger. However, anytime you may feel despair for humanity, all you have to do is look beyond all of that, and see graduates of occupational therapy programs in action. You will see them in a park teaching a tentative adult how to pet a friendly dog, or in a parking lot teaching a young person in a wheelchair how to get back into the car. You will see them in a store, showing one of their charges how to buy a soda for themselves. It only takes a moment to view these examples and realize that the quiet good and beauty in this world can never be conquered by their opposite.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, career prospects in this field are promising and are expected to grow by 29 percent through 2018. According to 2009 salary rates, OT’s were earning an average annual salary of $69,630. The job basically entails helping patients with physical disabilities gain dexterity and body strength through physical exercises. They also help patients improve their visual acuity, reasoning skills as well as gain the ability to recognize patterns and several other responsibilities.

There are basic requirements from occupational therapy courses that you have to meet for you to qualify as an occupational therapist. Essentially, you would need to have a master’s degree or any other advanced degree. Psychology, anthropology, biology, sociology, anatomy and liberal arts are some of the majors in which you can enroll for a master’s degree. Occupation therapists in the US have to be licensed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), which requires one to pass an exam. You must have graduated from an educational program that is accredited by the Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in order for you to sit for the national certification examination.

Benefits of taking occupational therapy courses

Enrolling for a two-year accredited occupational therapy program would help you work towards certification so that you can become a licensed therapist. The American Occupational Therapy Association provides an elaborate list of accredited training programs and so you should take advantage of this to ensure you are playing your cards right from the onset. These courses are meant to assist students gain useful skills for the job. Enrolling for these courses would give you better career prospects in this field. Occupational therapy courses provide a career that is being projected to grow faster than the average job rate. The aging baby boomers employed in this profession is also another factor that will lead to a huge demand for medical professionals such as nurses and therapists in the not so distant future.

Taking occupational therapy courses would enable you change careers and get into a career with good job prospects. You can opt to take the courses online or from a physical classroom. However, regardless of the mode you opt for; do ensure that the school is accredited by the relevant authority as this would play a pivotal roll when sitting your exams. Additionally, it is also important to develop networks with professors and fellow colleagues because you might need them in future as references.

 What Does An Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists and OTA help people gain or resume daily or work functioning after an injury or illness.  Adults often have OT after a stroke, surgery or a broken bone.  Children with a delay, illness or neurological disorder may receive OT in order to gain valuable life skills.

An occupational therapist will evaluate an individual and determine if there is a need for therapy.  He will then create a care plan with specific goals that will be met in the following months.  Once the goals have been met, the patient may need to continue therapy to reach more goals.

 How Long Does It Take In OT Schools?

A person must have a Bachelor’s degree before attending a Master’s in Occupational Therapy program.  The Bachelor’s degree can be in a number of fields such as psychology, physiology or other related field.  The Master’s degree is a two-year program that will concentrate on different forms of therapy and the theory behind them.  With a Master’s degree, you can evaluate and treat patients.

An associate’s degree from OT schools, there is no prior schooling or training necessary.  The program takes about two years, but some accelerated programs are only a year. An OTA assists the OT, but can perform therapy with the patient.  The OTA normally does not assist in evaluations or making care plans.

 Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary

They yearly salary varies by geographic location and the type of work.  Pediatric OTs typically make more because there is such a high demand.  OTs and OTAs working in a private group can expect earn more than hospital or school employees.

The national average for an OT with a Master’s degree is just over $73,000 per year.  The average salary for an OTA is almost $49,000 per year.  Benefit packages will also be added to the annual salary, and schools and hospitals usually have good benefits available

 Choosing OT Schools

Whether you are wanting a Master’s degree or associate’s degree, look for OT schools that are accredited.  Attending an accredited school means you will be eligible for financial aid and your degree will be recognized by your employer and future schools you attend.  Both OTAs and OT will need to be certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) before working.

Occupational therapy is a job that is in high demand.  With high instances of neurological disorders in children such as autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, children are in need of occupational therapy to gain valuable life skills.  OTs in schools are needed to help these children throughout the day and assist neurotypical children with handwriting and other skills.

After attending OT schools, OTs working with adults provide recovery assistance after a stroke or other injury or disease.  Occupational therapy helps a person resume their work, sport or daily life with or without the need of medical aids such as a wheelchair or walker.

Look for accredited OT schools that are recognized by the AOTA.  The salary difference between an associate’s degree and Master’s degree is large, but the gap tends to be smaller within private groups and pediatric occupational therapists.