Preparing for a Job as an Occupational Therapist?

Answer 1

Occupational therapists are professionals who work with people who have physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disability that prevents them from being able to fully care for themselves. An occupational therapist is responsible for helping their patients through their everyday lives, conducting a wide range of tasks that may be required of them. They may help their patients get dressed, cook, grocery shop, or work on exercises geared towards helping them develop the skills they need to function.

Since these tasks are so diverse, formal higher education is required to work as an occupational therapist. It is understood that a minimum of a master's degree is required to enter this line of work. Prospective occupational therapists must also attend a course accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, which will give them the information they need in order to sit for the certification exam. Each of the fifty states regulates the education and training of occupational therapists, so it is vital that students do well on this exam and receive their license as an Occupational Therapist Registered. Additional education is optional, but employment opportunities increase along with educational experience.

A majority of occupational therapists work in medical facilities including nursing homes, hospitals, surgical clinics, hospice care centers, or community centers for the elderly. It is expected that jobs in this field will grow faster than average in the years to come. The medical field is growing rapidly, and more and more trained employees are in demand each year, especially for those who are trained to care for the elderly. Advancements in medical treatments have also increased the demand for occupational therapists who can care for individuals with long-term illnesses who require more intensive care.

Most occupational therapists earn between $60,000 and $75,000 per year. There is some variation depending on which type of facility in which occupational therapists work and the training they have received. Also, higher pay rates are often given to those with more experience and expertise in their field. The more education and training a student receives, the more likely they are to receive a higher pay rate as well.