Job Profile of an Occupational Therapist
The main responsibility of an occupational therapist is to help the patients with physical disabilities improve physical and cognitive abilities. They work along with patients to help them to live without depending on others and in performing day to day tasks effectively. The therapists conduct regular exercise and therapy sessions and teach the patients to do physical exercises. They work along with patients to improve agility, strength and harmonization. The patients will be given assistance with improving the basic functions and coping with the permanent loss of function of any part of the body, including amputation. In some cases, the patients are taught to use adaptive equipment like electronic speech synthesizers. Therapists have a physically demanding job, including supporting disabled patients, kneeling, stooping and standing for a long period of time.
Educational Requirements to Be an Occupational Therapist
Academic: To take up an occupational therapist career, a candidate must have at least an Associate's degree or certification from an accredited community college or technical school. There are several occupational therapist training programs in which the basic course work will include subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, mental health, adult physical disabilities and pediatrics. They should also study subjects like anthropology, sociology and human development. The job aspirants should also pass a national certification examination to get a license to practice as an occupational therapist.
Skill sets: Other than educational qualifications, a candidate should have a positive attitude towards patients and encourage to them. The candidate should have good communication skills, good ethical standards and a strong desire to help people.
Training: Occupational therapists require specific training in the particular area of expertise. Educational programs and certification courses will enable people to gain qualifications for this job.
Prior experience: To be an occupational therapist, experience is not required. New people in the field should look for part time jobs in hospitals to enhance his or her resume and improve chances of getting employment.
Employment Outlook
Career prospects: As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 99,000 occupational therapists who were working in different parts of the world. By the year of 2016, the number is expected to increase to 122, 000. They are employed in hospitals, long term care facilities and private clinics.
Salaries: According to reports, an entry level occupational therapist can expect to earn in the range of $44, 798 to $56,175 annually. If the applicant is a person who has one to four years of experience in the industry, he or she can earn a higher annual salary. If the applicant is a person who has five to nine years of practice in the industry, he or she can earn approximately $50,644 to $64,135 per year.
An occupational therapist job can help individuals to have a better and positive outlook and approach towards life and society. This is a satisfying career for those who enjoy helping people overcome disabilities.