Occupational Therapists
What is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who help individuals of all ages engage in the activities that they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). They work with clients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and help them develop the skills necessary for meaningful participation in various aspects of life, including work, leisure, and self-care. Occupational therapy is centered on holistic care, considering the physical, emotional, and social factors that affect an individual's ability to function effectively in their environment.
OTs may assist clients recovering from injury, managing chronic illnesses, or adjusting to disabilities. They employ evidence-based strategies to promote independence and enhance quality of life. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, and clients' homes. They often collaborate with a range of professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, and speech-language therapists, to create comprehensive treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Tasks
- Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
- Complete and maintain necessary records.
- Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
- Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
- Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
Technology Skills
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Medical software
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- HMS
- Lexrotech LxPediatric
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Computer based training software
- Language arts educational software
- Special education educational software
- Text reader software
- Text to speech software
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Word processing software
- Crick Software Clicker 4
- Microsoft Word
- OpenOffice WRITER
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Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
- Duxbury Braille Translator
- Text scanning software
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Graphics or photo imaging software
- Computer drawing software
- Mayer-Johnson Boardmaker
Tools Used
- Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged
- Wheelchairs
- Therapeutic balls
- Visual presenters
- Vascular or compression apparel or support
Knowledge
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Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Master's degree
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Bachelor's degree
Work Activities
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
- Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
- Record patient medical histories.
- Design public or employee health programs.
- Direct healthcare delivery programs.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$65210.0 - $129620.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.