Healthcare is one of the few sectors that hardly affected by economical factors like recession. If you want to join allied healthcare, occupational therapy might be the right career path. So, what does an occupational therapist do? The primary task or job of an occupational therapist is to help patients, who are recovering from either disability or injury, so that they can get back to work. Many colleges in the US have occupational therapy degrees, and you need to get a state license too. In this post, we are sharing more about the career outline of an occupational therapist.
The role and responsibilities of occupational therapists
An occupational therapist is expected to assess the physical and psychological condition of the patient, to create a treatment plan. They also help patients in adjusting to their home & work environments, so that they feel comfortable. All occupational therapists also have extensive understanding of equipment and technologies that can help their clients in managing their work daily chores better. If a client has lost skills owing to an injury or accident, physical rehabilitation programs can be considered by the occupational therapist as needed. Their role also extends to advising families on patient careand keep an eye on progress of the patient.
How to become an occupational therapist?
You need to have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from a college certified by ACOTE, or American -Occupational Therapy Association. ACOTE, for the unversed, stands for Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. There are specific state healthcare regulations, which must be followed, and you must get your certification before you can start working. OTs also have extensive training on physical therapy programs. You can also consider completing your Masters in Occupational Therapy (OT) later.
Skills to have
Beyond knowing and having great communicational skills, occupational therapists also need to be empathic and must be willing to patient with clients, who may often have physical and psychological issues. They must also have the ability to understand different personalities and help patients in all possible ways, so that they can get back to their life and resume work as soon as possible.
If you want to become an occupational therapist, find a college, which allows you to explore the career beyond the books. Check all details and ensure that you are ready for a career in healthcare that can be very demanding at times, and expectedly, no two days at work are the same.
