Occupational therapist
This page describes the role of occupational therapist, including information on entry
requirements.
The job:
Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions
using specific, purposeful activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all
aspects of daily life.
Occupational therapists work in hospital and various community settings (see below). They may
visit clients and their carers at home to monitor their progress. When a course of therapy is
completed, the therapist will analyse how effective it has been.
Where do occupational therapists work?
Occupational therapists work with young children, adolescents, adults and older people.
In these areas:
• physical rehabilitation
• mental health services
• learning disability
• primary care
• paediatrics
• environmental adaptation
• care management
• equipment for daily living
• research posts
In these places:
• community centres
• education establishments
• GP practices / primary care
• hospitals
• housing associations
• clients homes
• industrial and commercial organisations
• prisons
• residential and nursing homes
• social services and council departments
• schools
• charities and voluntary agencies
They work with people of all ages to help them overcome the effects of disability caused by
physical or psychological illness, ageing or accident. The profession offers enormous
opportunities for career development and endless variety.
Being a registered occupational therapist takes patience, ingenuity, determination, common
sense, a sound knowledge base and enthusiasm. Most of all, it requires an interest in working
closely with people to enable them to lead full and satisfying lives as independently as possible.
Entry requirements:
You need five GCSE passes and at least two, (usually three) A levels. A science subject at A’
level is sometimes required. Alternatives to A levels are also considered, such as an approved
access course, VCE and Scottish qualifications. It is essential to check the entry requirements of
the university/universities to which you wish to apply. For more information please click here
Training programmes:
Training normally consists of a three year course leading to a BSc in occupational therapy. If you
are already employed as an occupational therapy support worker or a technical instructor,
however, you might be able to study part-time, in which case the course would take four years.
There are also graduate entry schemes to a two year accelerated course which also lead to a
formal qualification. You are then able to apply for the necessary registration to work in the NHS
or social services.
Applying for a degree in occupational therapy
Applications for degree programmes are administered by the Universities and Colleges
Admissions Service (UCAS).
Career prospects:
Demand for occupational therapists in health and social services is strong and growing. You will
be able to choose from many different posts for your first job. The NHS offers rotational posts,
which give you the chance to work in a range of specialities. Or you might go straight into a
specialism of your choice.
You may choose to develop your career through further specialist work, or through research.
Occupational therapist consultants can combine these two roles in this very senior role.
Alternatively you might go on into management or teaching positions.
Financial support for students on occupational therapy
courses
For information about financial support whilst taking a course in occupational therapy, please
click here.
Occupational therapy assistants/support
workers/rehabilitation assistants and technical instructors
There are opportunities to work in assistant roles within occupational therapy. Please click here
for further information.
Staff working in a support role at a more advanced level may be known as an assistant
practitioner.
Job vacancies
Once you have completed a pre-registration programme in occupational therapy and have
registered with the Health Professions Council, you will normally be in a position to apply for
jobs.
Job vacancies for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants/clinical support
workers and technical instructors are advertised in a range of places. Most NHS trusts will
advertise their vacancies on the NHS Jobs website (www.jobs.nhs.uk). Some will also advertise
in trade journals and trust websites.
For a list of trusts, please visit the NHS Choices website.
Further information
For more information on careers in occupational therapy, please contact:
College of Occupational Therapists
Education Department
106-114 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1LB
Tel: 020 7357 6480
Fax: 020 7450 2299
Website: www.cot.org.uk
Career Skills Assessment Career Aptitude Test Career
Occupational Therapist Job Description:
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who have conditions that are mentally, physically,
developmentally, or emotionally disabling improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily
living and working environments. They also help them develop, recover, or maintain daily living
and work skills.
Employment Facts for Occupational Therapists:
Occupational therapists held about 99,000 jobs in 2006. Most OTs worked in hospitals. Others
worked in offices of other health practitioners, schools, and nursing care facilities. About one in
ten occupational therapists had more than one job.
Educational Requirements for Occupational Therapists:
One must earn a master's degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy to work as
an occupational therapist. Biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and
anatomy are all appropriate college majors for those who ultimately want earn a master's degree
in occupational therapy.
Other Requirements for Occupational Therapists:
In the United States occupational therapists must be licensed in order to practice. To obtain a
license, applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a national
certification examination.
Job Outlook for Occupational Therapists:
Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for
all occupations through 2016.
How Much Do Occupational Therapists Earn?:
Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest Numbers of Occupational
Therapists (U.S., 2006)
• Home Health Care Services: $67,600
• Nursing care facilities: $64,750
• Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists: $62,290
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $61,610
• Elementary and secondary schools: $54,260
A Day in an Occupational Therapist's Life:
On a typical day an occupational therapist will:
• assist clients in performing activities of all types;
• use physical exercises to help patients increase strength and dexterity;
• use activities to help patients improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns;
• use computer programs to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning,
problem-solving, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills;
• design or make special equipment needed at home or at work;
• develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations
how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of
their environment;
Occupational therapists may work with particular populations, i.e. children, the elderly, or may
work in specialized settings, i.e. mental health.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Occupational Therapist, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm (visited August 4, 2008).
Significant Points
• Employment is expected to grow much faster than average, and job opportunities should
be good, especially for therapists treating the elderly.
• Occupational therapists are regulated in all 50 States; requirements vary by State.
• Occupational therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles, allowing assistants
and aides to work more closely with clients under the guidance of a therapist.
Nature of the Work About this section
Occupational therapists help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and
working environments. They work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically,
developmentally, or emotionally disabling condition. Occupational therapists use treatments to
develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients. The therapist
helps clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to
compensate for permanent loss of function. The goal is to help clients have independent,
productive, and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapists help clients to perform all types of activities, from using a computer to
caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may be used to
increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity or
the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory loss might be
encouraged to make lists to aid recall, and a person with coordination problems might be
assigned exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. Occupational therapists also use computer
programs to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, and
perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination—all of which are important
for independent living.
Patients with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular
dystrophy, often need special instruction to master certain daily tasks. For these individuals,
therapists demonstrate the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, orthoses, eating
aids, and dressing aids. They also design or build special equipment needed at home or at work,
including computer-aided adaptive equipment. They teach clients how to use the equipment to
improve communication and control various situations in their environment.
Some occupational therapists treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment
has been impaired. These practitioners might arrange employment, evaluate the work space, plan
work activities, and assess the client's progress. Therapists also may collaborate with the client
and the employer to modify the work environment so that the client can succeed at work.
Assessing and recording a client's activities and progress is an important part of an occupational
therapist's job. Accurate records are essential for evaluating clients, for billing, and for reporting
to physicians and other healthcare providers.
Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group or with
a particular disability. In schools, for example, they evaluate children's capabilities, recommend
and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and help children participate in school
activities. A therapist may work with children individually, lead small groups in the classroom,
consult with a teacher, or serve on an administrative committee. Some therapists provide early
intervention therapy to infants and toddlers who have, or are at risk of having, developmental
delays. Therapies may include facilitating the use of the hands and promoting skills for listening,
following directions, social play, dressing, or grooming.
Other occupational therapists work with elderly patients. These therapists help the elderly lead
more productive, active, and independent lives through a variety of methods. Therapists with
specialized training in driver rehabilitation assess an individual's ability to drive using both
clinical and on-the-road tests. The evaluations allow the therapist to make recommendations for
adaptive equipment, training to prolong driving independence, and alternative transportation
options. Occupational therapists also work with clients to assess their homes for hazards and to
identify environmental factors that contribute to falls.
Occupational therapists in mental health settings treat individuals who are mentally ill,
developmentally challenged, or emotionally disturbed. To treat these problems, therapists choose
activities that help people learn to engage in and cope with daily life. Activities might include
time management skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking, and the use of public transportation.
Occupational therapists also work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse,
depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders.
Work environment. In large rehabilitation centers, therapists may work in spacious rooms
equipped with machines, tools, and other devices generating noise. The work can be tiring
because therapists are on their feet much of the time. Therapists also face hazards such as back
strain from lifting and moving clients and equipment.
Occupational therapists working for one employer full-time usually work a 40-hour week.
Around 31 percent of occupational therapists worked part-time. It is not uncommon for
occupational therapists to work for more than one employer at multiple facilities, which may
involve significant travel time. Those in schools may participate in meetings and other activities
during and after the school day.
Occupational therapists help patients learn to perform all types of activities, from using a
computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement About
this section
Occupational therapists are regulated in all 50 States. Individuals pursuing a career as an
occupational therapist usually need to earn a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited
college or university or education deemed equivalent.
Education and training. A master's degree or higher in occupational therapy is the typical
minimum requirement for entry into the field. In addition, occupational therapists must attend an
academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
(ACOTE) in order to sit for the national certifying exam. In 2009, 150 master's degree programs
or combined bachelor's and master's degree programs were accredited, and 4 doctoral degree
programs were accredited. Most schools have full-time programs, although a growing number
are offering weekend or part-time programs as well. Coursework in occupational therapy
programs include the physical, biological, and behavioral sciences as well as the application of
occupational therapy theory and skills. All accredited programs require at least 24 weeks of
supervised fieldwork as part of the academic curriculum.
People considering this profession should take high school courses in biology, chemistry,
physics, health, art, and the social sciences. College admissions offices also look favorably on
paid or volunteer experience in the healthcare field. Relevant undergraduate majors include
biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy.
Licensure. All States regulate the practice of occupational therapy. To obtain a license,
applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a national
certification examination. Those who pass the exam are awarded the title “Occupational
Therapist Registered (OTR).” Specific eligibility requirements for licensure vary by State;
contact your State’s licensing board for details.
Some States have additional requirements for therapists who work in schools or early
intervention programs. These requirements may include education-related classes, an education
practice certificate, or early intervention certification.
Certification and other qualifications. Certification is voluntary. The National Board for
Certifying Occupational Therapy certifies occupational therapists through a national certifying
exam. Those who pass the test are awarded the title Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). In
some States, the national certifying exam meets requirements for regulation while other States
have their own licensing exam.
Occupational therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating
in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of States require continuing
education as a condition of maintaining licensure.
Occupational therapists need patience and strong interpersonal skills to inspire trust and respect
in their clients. Patience is necessary because many clients may not show immediate
improvement. Ingenuity and imagination in adapting activities to individual needs are assets.
Those working in home healthcare services also must be able to adapt to a variety of settings.
Advancement. Therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles in addition to their
supervision of occupational therapy assistants and aides. Occupational therapists may advance
their careers by taking on administrative duties at hospitals or rehabilitation centers.
Occupational therapists also can advance by specializing in a clinical area and gaining expertise
in treating a certain type of patient or ailment. Therapists may specialize in gerontology, mental
health, pediatrics, and physical rehabilitation. In addition, some occupational therapists choose to
teach classes in accredited occupational therapy educational programs.
Employment About this section
Occupational therapists held about 104,500 jobs in 2008. The largest number of occupational
therapist jobs was in ambulatory healthcare services, which employed about 29 percent of
occupational therapists. Other major employers were hospitals, offices of other health
practitioners (including offices of occupational therapists), public and private educational
services, and nursing care facilities. Some occupational therapists were employed by home
healthcare services, outpatient care centers, offices of physicians, individual and family services,
community care facilities for the elderly, and government agencies.
A small number of occupational therapists were self-employed in private practice. These
practitioners treated clients referred by other health professionals. They also provided contract or
consulting services to nursing care facilities, schools, adult day care programs, and home
healthcare agencies.
Job Outlook About this section
Employment is expected to grow much faster than average. Job opportunities should be good,
especially for occupational therapists treating the elderly.
Employment change. Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase by 26
percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing
elderly population will drive growth in the demand for occupational therapy services. The
demand for occupational therapists should continue to rise as a result of the increasing number of
individuals with disabilities or limited function who require therapy services. Older persons have
an increased incidence of heart attack and stroke, which will spur demand for therapeutic
services. Growth in the population 75 years and older—an age group that suffers from high
incidences of disabling conditions—also will increase demand for therapeutic services. In
addition, medical advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive—patients
who ultimately may need extensive therapy. However, growth may be dampened by the impact
of Federal legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services.
Hospitals will continue to employ a large number of occupational therapists to provide therapy
services to acutely ill inpatients. Hospitals also will need occupational therapists to staff their
outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Employment growth in schools will result from the expansion of the school-age population and
the federally funded extension of services for disabled students. Therapists will be needed to help
children with disabilities prepare to enter special education programs.
Job prospects. Job opportunities should be good for licensed occupational therapists in all
settings, particularly in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings because the elderly
receive most of their treatment in these settings. Occupational therapists with specialized
knowledge in a treatment area also will have increased job prospects. Driver rehabilitation,
training for the elderly, and ergonomic consulting are emerging practice areas for occupational
therapy.
Projections Data About this section
Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Projected Change,
Occupational SOC Employment, Detailed
Employment, 2008-18
Title Code 2008 Statistics
2018 Number Percent
Occupational 29-
104,500 131,300 26,800 26 [PDF] [XLS]
therapists 1122
Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Projected Change,
Occupational SOC Employment, Detailed
Employment, 2008-18
Title Code 2008 Statistics
2018 Number Percent
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table
in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.
Earnings About this section
Median annual wages of occupational therapists were $66,780 in May 2008. The middle 50
percent earned between $55,090 and $81,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,820,
and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,310. Median annual wages in the industries
employing the largest numbers of occupational therapists in May 2008 were:
Home health care services $74,510
Nursing care facilities 72,790
Offices of other health care practitioners 69,360
General medical and surgical hospitals 68,100
Elementary and secondary schools 60,020
