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An Occupational Therapist (OT) assists people in developing, regaining or maintaining the skills needed for daily activities, whether useful at home, work or elsewhere. Young or old, an OT's patients may be emotionally, developmentally, physically or mentally disabled or ill. They may need help with personal care tasks such as eating, dressing or bathing. They might need to improve their memory, problem-solving or decision-making ability or perhaps compensate altogether for a complete loss of function.
Whatever the case, patients depend on OTs to teach them techniques and exercises to increase coordination, strength, reasoning, and many other skills in order to function at their highest level. To help achieve this, OTs often use computer programs or help design and build specialized equipment — wheelchairs, orthotics, eating aids and driving devices, for example. OTs also might modify a patient's home or work environment for maximum comfort, safety and functionality.
The philosophy and creative challenges of occupational therapy have been with me, not only professionally in helping others, but personally in each chapter throughout my life.
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Sue Nelson
Occupational Therapist
Some OTs specialize in one disability or work only within a certain age group, like infants, youths or seniors. Whatever the focus, OTs are experts in human growth and development and have studied the social, emotional and physiological effects of illness and injury. Supervisory roles are becoming more common for OTs, so aides and assistants depend on the OT for training and guidance in direct care for the patient.
In essence, as an OT you will help your patients achieve more independent, meaningful lives by helping them participate more fully in the activities that "occupy" their daily lives.
Video Description of Occupational Therapists
Source: CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)
Where Occupational Therapists Work
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. has named six broad overarching areas of practice areas in Occupational Therapy: mental health, productive aging, children and youth, health and wellness, work and industry, and rehabilitation, disability and participation. Settings that OTs work in include:
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Schools
- Nursing Care Facilities
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Home Health Care
- Community Care Facilities
- Government Agencies
A great thing about my job is that everyday is different and challenging.
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Alan King
Occupational Therapist
Good Samaritan
Regional Medical Center
Inpatient Acute Care
Educational and Licensing Requirements
Currently, a student looking to become an Occupational Therapist must gain at least an entry-level Master's Degree or an entry-level Doctorate Degree. Oregon has one Occupational Therapy school, Pacific University, which offers the entry-level Master's Degree:
After graduation from an accredited program, OTs must take a national board exam then apply for state licensure. See:
Occupational Therapist Earnings
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) reports that in 2009, OTs earned an average hourly wage of $32.11 and an average annual salary of $66,793.
Employment Outlook for Occupational Therapists
The OED estimates that between 2008 and 2018, there will be 389 job openings for OTs in Oregon.
Occupations with Skills Similar to Occupational Therapists
OTs have a high degree of skill overlap with recreational and physical therapists and speech and language pathologists. OT assistants, respiratory therapists, audiologists and registered nurses also have skill overlap with OTs.
Explore the following sources for this page for more information:
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