Occupational Therapist Career Description
Occupational therapy is an exciting and challenging profession because each patient has individual requirements and the treatment needs change as patients progress. Occupational therapists treat people through active participation in purposeful activities, in order to enable them to regain their health, return to their community and enjoy quality of life.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Occupational therapists are members of health teams that enable people to function within their physical, psychological and social limitations and to regain or maintain their maximum potential with regard to personal care, work and leisure.
Occupational therapists use a problem-solving approach by first scientifically assessing the patients' physical and mental abilities. In this way problems which may effect the way in which patients are able to care for themselves, hold down a job or attend school, as well as participate in games or sport and utilize their leisure time, are identified.
A treatment plan is specifically designed for patients, taking into account their individual needs and backgrounds. Activities are chosen for their potential to help patients reach predetermined treatment objectives. Patients thus contribute to their own recovery by becoming actively involved.
In the case of permanent disability, patients are taught how to use their remaining skills. Occupational therapists also make suggestions with regard to adaptations to
patients' living and working environment or provide them with adapted devices, to enable them to function more independently.
Occupational therapists can play a preventative role through treatment programmes in developing communities.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Prospective occupational therapists must enjoy working with people and have a desire to help others. Occupational therapists must also be willing to get involved with people with disabilities. They must have original ideas, be creative, be able to solve problems, work independently and have a sense of humour.
Where can I work?
There are numerous areas of employment for occupational therapists in physical and psychiatric hospitals, schools, day centres for the aged, welfare organisations, local authorities and in the private sector such as insurance companies, private practice and in community settings.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Occupational therapists can start their own practices.
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