Date: September 7, 2017

Subject: Occupational Therapy

MLA Citations:

“Occupational Therapists.” Bureau of Labor Statistics , United States Department of Labor, 17 Dec. 2015, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-3.

“Occupational Therapists.” Bureau of Labor Statistics , United States Department of Labor, 17 Dec. 2015, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-4.

“Occupational Therapists.” Bureau of Labor Statistics , United States Department of Labor, 17 Dec. 2015, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-6

Assessment:

Beginning By Assessing Myself

I have chosen to use the quote, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you,” to represent myself this year in the ISM program. After assessing these articles, I know for sure that this quote will hold true. To briefly summarize, these few articles (pasted below the assessment) explained how the typical occupational therapist’s schedule fluctuates around patients’ needs, how certain personality traits are essential for an ideal worker in the profession, and how an array of prerequisites are required to be considered a certified OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered). The main point that these articles have taught me is that my personality type seems to be ideal for the profession, but that I will need to start directing my classes and extracurriculars towards the topic of occupational therapy if I really want to pursue it.

The information I learned is relevant and ideal for my “First Research Assessment” in this class because the most important of the three articles is based on the legal qualifications to be an occupational therapist. For instance, I have to have at least a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy to be able to be an OTR. Prior to reading this article, I assumed that taking a psychology class and perhaps participating in a few clubs that focus on the mental health strategies for students would be enough qualification to become an occupational therapist. More significantly, before reading the article, I did not even know that “occupational therapy” was a degree. I assumed it was a subcategory of something broader like “physical therapy” or “psychology.”

Regarding psychology, these articles helped me to get on the path to determining what percentage of occupational therapy overall is based off of psychological health and what percentage is based off of physical health. I wish to study and pursue more of the psychological route, so now I understand that psychology is indeed a huge part of most of today’s demand for occupational therapy services. In fact, considering that I want to work with children ideally, these articles helped me even further to clarify my conception that pediatric occupational therapy is based heavily on psychology (much of the physical aspect of this profession is directed towards older people like “baby boomers”). Therefore, the series of articles secures my hope that the field of occupational therapy is filled with psychological opportunities, and strengthens my previous knowledge of the balance between psychology and physicality in the profession.

The knowledge I gained from this series of articles was overall very encouraging to me. For instance, when it listed the preferable personality traits for an occupational therapist, I found that many of them matched my own personality. Luckily, I am able to understand that traits like “patience” do not necessarily fit me as well as some of the others do. This information will help me to make lifestyle choices, such as finding ways to calm myself more effectively, that will allow me to become a more patient person and therefore more ideal for this career field.

As a result of my learning from reading these articles, I plan to go forth into this ISM program with even more confidence than I had before I started, because now I understand that the qualifications to become an ideal occupational therapist are going to be challenging to achieve but are well within reach for me if I keep up my passion for the career field. Although it is too early to begin to use this information to start brainstorming a “final product,” the knowledge I gained from reading these articles is still pivotal in setting the stage for my journey in ISM and clarifying the fact that my career of interest is indeed what I expected it to be and is very much attainable!

Work Environment

Occupational therapists may spend a lot of time on their feet working with patients.

Occupational therapists held about 114,600 jobs in 2014. The largest employers of occupational therapists were as follows:

Therapists may spend a lot of time on their feet while working with patients. They also may be required to lift and move patients or heavy equipment. Many work in multiple facilities and have to travel from one job to another.

Work Schedules

Most occupational therapists worked full time in 2014. About 1 out of 4 worked part time. They may work nights or weekends, as needed, to accommodate patients’ schedules^[b].

Job Outlook

Occupational Therapists

Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24

Occupational therapists

27%

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners

17%

Total, all occupations

7%

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 27 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations^[c][d]. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.

The need for occupational therapists is expected to increase as the large baby-boom generation ages and people remain active later in life. Occupational therapists can help senior citizens maintain their independence by recommending home modifications and strategies that make daily activities easier. Therapists also play a large role in the treatment of many conditions and ailments commonly associated with aging, such as arthritis and stroke.^[e]

Occupational therapists also will be needed in a variety of healthcare settings to treat patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Patients will continue to seek noninvasive^[f][g] outpatient treatment for long-term disabilities and illnesses, either in their homes or in residential care environments^[h]. These patients may need occupational therapy to become more independent in and to perform a variety of daily tasks.

Demand for occupational therapy services also will stem from patients with autism spectrum disorder. More therapists will be needed in schools to assist children with autism in improving their social skills and accomplishing a variety of daily tasks. Demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance^[i]. The number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform^[j][k]. Both rehabilitation and habilitation services are included among essential health benefits to be covered by insurers; however, coverage may vary by state.

Job Prospects

Job opportunities should be good for licensed occupational therapists in all settings, particularly 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 better job prospects.^[l]

How to Become an Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists can help people cope with arthritis and other ailments.

Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree in occupational therapy^[m]; some therapists have a doctoral degree. Occupational therapists also must be licensed^[n].

Education

Most occupational therapists enter the occupation with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. In 2014, there were nearly 200 occupational therapy programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, part of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Admission to graduate programs in occupational therapy generally requires a bachelor’s degree and specific coursework, including biology and physiology^[o]. Many programs also require applicants to have volunteered or worked in an occupational therapy setting.

Master’s programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete; doctoral programs take about 3 years. Some schools offer a dual-degree program in which the student earns a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in 5 years. Part-time programs that offer courses on nights and weekends are also available.

Both master’s and doctoral programs require at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork^[p], in which prospective occupational therapists gain clinical work experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require occupational therapists to be licensed^[q]. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all require candidates to pass the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). To sit for the NBCOT exam, candidates must have earned a degree from an accredited educational program and completed all fieldwork requirements.^[r]

Therapists must pass the NBCOT exam to use the title “Occupational Therapist, Registered” (OTR). They must also take continuing education classes to maintain certification.

The American Occupational Therapy Association also offers a number of board and specialty certifications for therapists who want to demonstrate their advanced or specialized knowledge in areas of practice, such as pediatrics, mental health, or low vision.

Important Qualities

Communication skills^[s]. Occupational therapists must be able to listen attentively to what patients tell them and must be able to explain what they want their patients to do.

Compassion^[t]. Occupational therapists are usually drawn to the profession by a desire to help people and improve their daily lives. Therapists must be sensitive to a patients’ needs and concerns, especially when assisting the patient with his or her personal activities.

Flexibility^[u]. Occupational therapists must be flexible when treating patients. Because not every type of therapy will work for each patient, therapists may need to be creative when determining the treatment plans and adaptive devices that best suit each patient’s needs.

Interpersonal skills^[v]. Because occupational therapists spend their time teaching and explaining therapies to patients, they should be able to earn the trust and respect of those patients and their families.

Patience^[w]. Dealing with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities is frustrating for many people. Occupational therapists should be patient in order to provide quality care to the people they serve.

Writing skills^[x]. When communicating in writing with other members of the patient’s medical team, occupational therapists must be able to explain clearly the treatment plan for the patient and any progress made by the patient.