Occupational Therapists

Career summary

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who have mental, physical, or developmental disabilities. These disabilities are caused by birth defects, injuries, illnesses, or aging. Therapists help people develop, recover, or maintain their living and work skills.

When they get new patients, therapists read their medical charts to learn about their disability or illness. They meet with patients and observe their skills and abilities.

Occupational therapists write treatment plans that set specific goals for patients. They discuss their plans with other workers such as doctors, physical therapists, or social workers. They also train nurses and other health care staff in therapy techniques so they can help with the therapy.

Before therapy sessions, therapists gather and lay out the materials they will use. They may use items such as puzzles, scissors, or eating utensils. After sessions, they clean and repair the materials. If they need new or additional materials, therapists order them.

Therapists conduct many different activities with their patients. Some activities are designed to improve physical strength and coordination. Other activities are designed to improve vision, memory, or reasoning.

They teach some patients to use wheelchairs and other physical aids. Therapists may design or make special equipment that patients need at work or home. They also recommend ways for patients to change their homes to meet their needs.

Therapists may specialize in working with patients of a certain age or specific disability. This includes:

• Elderly patients who want to live independently
• Children with developmental delays
• Adults with permanent disabilities

Some therapists help patients find and keep jobs. They arrange jobs, plan work activities, and follow patients' progress.

Therapists must keep accurate records of patient activities and progress. These records are needed for evaluating patients, billing, and reporting to doctors.

Occupational therapists often lead programs in schools, hospitals, community settings, and other institutions. Often these programs are designed to promote health and awareness of disabilities.

Occupational therapists are similar to physical therapists in that both types of workers are concerned with physical movement. However, occupational therapists are also concerned with psychological and social factors. They also work with people who have mental illnesses.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Art Therapists
• Athletic Trainers
• Music Therapists
• Occupational Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Specialists
• Physical Therapists
• Recreational Therapists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Social Workers
• Speech Pathologists and Audiologists

Military careers

• Physical and Occupational Therapists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to occupational therapists.

• Meet with patients and read their medical charts. Test their physical and mental abilities.
• Consult with rehabilitation teams and select activity programs. Coordinate occupational therapy with patients' other therapists.
• Create treatment plans and activities to help patients learn skills and adjust to changes.
• Select activities that will help patients learn basic work skills. Find exercises that will challenge but not stress patients.
• Construct adaptive equipment to compensate for patients' level of function. Equipment may include splints, wheelchairs, or eating utensils.
• Lay out materials for patients' use. Clean and repair materials after sessions.
• Teach patients skills and new ways to do activities. Observe patients and assess their progress.
• Recommend how patients can change living or work areas to meet current needs and abilities.
• May help patients find and keep jobs.
• Order supplies and equipment needed for therapy sessions.
• Train nurses and other medical staff in therapy techniques.
• Give advice about managing health risks in the work place.
• Complete and maintain patients' progress reports and records.
• May conduct research.

Common work activities

Occupational therapists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Document and record information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Develop goals and strategies
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform for or work with the public
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Develop and build teams
• Teach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Coach others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Analyze data or information
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Use computers
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Schedule work and activities
• Process information
• Perform administrative tasks
• Handle and move objects
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, occupational therapists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with patients and other health care workers.
• Communicate by telephone, in person, letters, and memos on a daily basis.
• Sometimes deal with people who are angry or unpleasant due to discomfort, pain, or mental disabilities.
• Regularly work as part of a team.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Have limited responsibility for outcomes and results. Patients are ultimately responsible for following therapists' plans.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors. Therapists may occasionally work outdoors with patients.
• Are often exposed to diseases or infections when interacting with patients.
• Work very near others. They come in close physical contact with patients on a daily basis.
• Sometimes work in very noisy environments.
• Occasionally get into cramped or awkward positions while working with patients.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could endanger patients' health.
• Make decisions that strongly impact patients on a daily basis. They rarely, if ever, consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Set their tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time. Most work full time.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Occupational therapists frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for occupational therapists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for occupational therapists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Occupational therapists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Occupational Therapy

Other programs of study to consider

• Art Therapy
• Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy
• Music Therapy
• Occupational Therapy Assisting
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Therapies
• Physical Therapy
• Pre-Health Services
• Recreation Therapy
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Training

To work as an occupational therapist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor' degree;
• have a master's degree in occupational therapy; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Occupational therapists are required to have a master's degree. Thus, you must complete a four-year bachelor's degree program and a two-year master's degree program. Your undergraduate degree does not have to be in occupational therapy. Many occupational therapists have a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or anatomy.

In these programs, you study anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. You also learn occupational therapy skills. You also spend six months working with patients. An experienced occupational therapist supervises your work.

Work experience

Volunteer experience in hospitals or nursing homes is helpful when applying to college.

On-the-job training

Many employers offer short-term, on-the-job training to orient you to procedures and policies. This training usually lasts a month or less.

Military training

The military does not provide the initial training for occupational therapists. However, it can provide work experience.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who have patience and strong interpersonal skills. Patience is important because many clients may not show rapid progress. Therapists must be prepared for that challenge. In addition, therapists need understanding and compassion when dealing with clients facing health problems. Employers also look for creativity and imagination. They prefer applicants who can inspire trust and respect in their patients. Occupational therapists must be able to develop new activities to meet patient needs.

Tips

Volunteer work with the physically, emotionally, and mentally handicapped or elderly, especially in an occupational therapy clinic, is an excellent way to more fully understand the job's duties and responsibilities. Make arrangements to observe an occupational therapist where he or she works. Try to visit therapists in different work settings. Volunteer in an occupational therapy office as a receptionist to see what type of patients therapists see. Non-traditional settings may offer better job opportunities. Flexibility and the willingness to work on-call are important for workers new to the field.

Costs to workers

Most therapists join professional associations and pay annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Occupational therapists must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. Licensing requirements include:

• a good moral character;
• graduation from a nationally accredited occupational therapy program;
• a minimum of six months of supervised level two fieldwork experience;
• passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination;
• passing a national and a state online jurisprudence examination;
• answering personal data questions;
• completion of seven-clock hours of AIDS education; and
• completion of 30 hours of continuing education every two years for renewal of license.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Occupational Therapy Practice Board 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#2/5/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Occupational Therapists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Statewide, occupational therapists working for public school districts average $56,246 per school year.

#Public school therapist is not a 12-month position.

#Updated DOP wage 08.16 sd; OSPI 4/11/16 lh & 4/3/17, 4/8/19 cj.

Pay varies by area of the country and by employer. Areas of the country with higher living costs usually pay higher salaries than other areas. Wages are also higher for therapists who work for nursing facilities than for those who work for hospitals or schools.

Occupational therapists who work full time usually receive benefits. These may include medical insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Occupational therapists who work in hospitals often work in rehabilitation departments.

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Occupational therapists' and other medical professionals' offices
• Nursing and personal care facilities
• Home health care companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow significantly. This is due to the increase in the aging population. Doctors can also save more seriously injured people, and these patients usually need extensive therapy. New federal health care laws will mean that more people have access to health care service such as occupational therapy.

Job prospects will be best in occupation therapy offices and other health care settings.

Other resources

American Occupational Therapy Association 

Considering an OT Career? 

Explore Health Careers: Occupational Therapist 

Health Occupation Students of America 
548 Silicon Drive, Suite 101
Southlake, TX 76092
800.321.HOSA

National Association for Home Care & Hospice 
228 Seventh Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.7424

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy 
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301.990.7979

The Washington Occupational Therapy Association 
1402 Auburn Way N, Suite 236
Auburn, WA 98002
253.234.5809

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Occupational Therapists (29-1122.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Industrial Therapist (076.167-010) 
• Occupational Therapist (076.121-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Occupational Therapist

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Professional