You’ve heard of the field of Occupational Therapy (OT), but you may not fully understand what OT really does.This post gives an overview what does an occupational therapist doand how you can become an OT if you are interested in the profession.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy includes hands-on occupations that help people improve their quality of life by engaging in activities that are important to them. “OT helps you learn who you are and get back on track with what’s important to you,” says Maureen Johnson, PhD, M.S., PhD, M.S., assistant professor of occupational therapy at St. Augustine College. OT/L says. Health Sciences (USAHS).
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
occupational therapist is a medical professional who helps patients maximize their fine motor skills. They work with people with injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or other conditions that affect their ability to perform activities of daily living (occupations).1
OT is Healthcare Professionals; Medical Institutions That Perform activities that are meaningful to the patient, incorporate them into treatment plans, and use them therapeutically to restore function. a therapy session focus more on functional recovery That It may consist of augmenting, performing a task in a different way, using adaptive equipment, or changing the environment to complete a job. This work helps patients gain or regain independence, whether they are children born with developmental delays, construction workers with hand injuries, or elderly people who survived a stroke. .
OTs typically work in a clinical or school setting according to the medical model and are reimbursed by insurance. However, there is now a movement on the ground to work with marginalized people in community-based settings such as homeless shelters, community mental health facilities and residential facilities. These new areas of practice are exciting opportunities for OT, but reimbursement can be difficult.
An occupational therapist’s experience is as unique as the people they serve. Becoming an OT gives you the opportunity to work one-on-one with a client and her to help them get back into meaningful work and improve their lives.
Who Do Occupational Therapists Treat?
Occupational therapists work with individuals throughout their lives in a variety of situations, ensuring that they address not only the physical impairments associated with their condition, but also the psychological and cognitive aspects.
For example, a stroke affects not only how a person walks, but also how they think and feel. It can affect how you eat and bathe, and even your ability to recognize family members. A stroke can change your ability to live alone, drive a car, work, and care for loved ones. Occupational therapists customize treatment for each individual client because the condition affects each person differently.
Occupational therapists work with people throughout their lives, from infants to adults to the elderly. OT can help babies with feeding problems, children with handwriting difficulties, or people with schizophrenia who need help navigating the workforce.
Because there are so many ways in which they can help people, occupational therapists can choose to specialize in a particular area and obtain a certificate that proves their expertise.these are Specialized field These include low vision, assistive technology, breastfeeding, caregiver training, driving and community mobility, diet, paediatrics, hand therapy, physical rehabilitation, mental health, environmental improvement, and school systems.
occupational therapy and physical therapy
Occupational therapy and physical therapy may seem similar, but they are actually very different disciplines. of occupational therapy Profession It can help you cope with your physical, mental and emotional conditions and make your daily life better. Physiotherapy, on the other hand, focuses primarily on movement and healing of the body.
For example, people recovering from knee surgery visit a physical therapist to help them walk, bend, and put weight on their knees. Learn how to adaptively perform routine tasks such as brushing teeth and getting dressed.
Maine Differences between occupational therapy and physical therapy Physical therapy focuses primarily on relieving pain and restoring movement, whereas occupational therapy helps patients regain independence and self-confidence while carrying out daily activities and other personally meaningful activities. We are focused on helping. 2
Occupational therapy is a growing field. In 2019, there were 143,300 OT jobs, and by 2029, the number of available jobs is projected to increase by 16% over his. 2,3
And in 2019, the average salary for occupational therapists was $84,950 per year. Four The bottom 10% earned less than $56,800, while the top 10% earned more than $121,490. OT salaries may vary based on work schedule, facility, and geographic location.
Hospitals and offices of rehabilitation professionals were the largest employers of occupational therapists in 2019. But OTs have also found work in schools, home health services, private practices, and nursing homes.and many others pursued Unconventional training ground When creative career.
How to become an occupational therapist
to do so become an occupational therapistyou need to complete the following three steps:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution. Some graduate schools only accept a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, but most graduate degrees in psychology, kinesiology, biology, health sciences, sociology, or even liberal, if you’ve completed the prerequisite courses. Accepts a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Earn a Masters or PhD in Occupational Therapy: To become a Certified Occupational Therapist end doctoral course or at least master’s degree, etc. Master of Occupational TherapyA master’s degree usually takes about two years to complete. * If you want more career opportunities, Occupational Therapist (OTD). Additional study hours for the PhD include research, advocacy, and leadership training.
- Pass NBCOT: must be passed. National Occupational Therapy Certification Board (NBCOT) exams to practice in your state.
Occupational therapy is a personal and flexible profession, tailored to the individual OT and patient. There are opportunities for creativity, growth and change. OT draws on a broad background in science, rehabilitation, and psychology to empower the whole person. Five
To learn more about challenging OT careers, please visit: occupational therapy program Available at USAHS.
The St. Augustine University of Health Sciences (USAHS) offers Master of Practical and Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees. Practice with simulated patients in our state-of-the-art simulation center and learn anatomy with high-tech tools. It not only prepares you for a lifelong patient clinical practicum, but also fulfills advanced roles in research, practice leadership, and policy-making. Residential and Flex (online/weekend) passes are available.Also available online occupational therapist The (ppOTD) program is designed for practicing clinicians and medical educators and offers an optional on-campus immersion. **
*The program is designed to be completed in this time. However, time to completion may vary from student to student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
**OT entry-level programs are subject to ACOTE’s accreditation rules. However, post-professional programs are outside the jurisdiction of ACOTE.
sauce:
- American Occupational Therapy Association “What is occupational therapy?”
- Healthline, “Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What You Need to Know:” https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-therapy
- Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Therapist” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm
- Ditto.
- Layne, K. and Cremer, K. (December 3, 2018). What is an occupational therapist? St. Augustine Records. https://www.staugustine.com/section/promotedcontent?prx_t=VFcEAAAAAAxIAQA
