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Career Details : Occupational Therapists

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Description

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to disabled persons.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

  • Plans, organizes, and conducts occupational therapy program in hospital, institutional, or community setting.
  • Plans programs and social activities to help patients learn work skills and adjust to handicaps.
  • Selects activities that will help individual learn work skills within limits of individual's mental and physical capabilities.
  • Recommends changes in individual's work or living environment, consistent with needs and capabilities.
  • Lays out materials for individual's use and cleans and repairs tools after therapy sessions.
  • Consults with rehabilitation team to select activity programs and coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
  • Completes and maintains necessary records.
  • Trains nurses and other medical staff in therapy techniques and objectives.
  • Designs and constructs special equipment, such as splints and braces.
  • Requisitions supplies and equipment.
  • Teaches individuals skills and techniques required for participation in activities and evaluates individual's progress.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Frustrating Circumstances
    • Consequence of Error
    • Provide a Service to Others
    • Objective or Subjective Information

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Occupational Scienceadd Occupational Science to MyFSA
    Occupational Science/Occupational Therapyadd Occupational Science/Occupational Therapy to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapyadd Occupational Therapy to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy/Developmental Disabilitiesadd Occupational Therapy/Developmental Disabilities to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy/Early Interventionadd Occupational Therapy/Early Intervention to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy/Physical Disabilitiesadd Occupational Therapy/Physical Disabilities to MyFSA
    Occupational Therapy/Physical/Developmental Disabilitiesadd Occupational Therapy/Physical/Developmental Disabilities to MyFSA
    Pre-Occupational Therapyadd Pre-Occupational Therapy to MyFSA
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