Occupational Therapy is a medical specialty that provides training, education, supervision, testing, diagnosis, therapeutic technique, prevention, rehabilitation, patient education, and related services for occupational disorders. Occupational therapists are qualified healthcare practitioners who use evidence-based treatment, research, medical evidence, and a more holistic approach to help patients with medical conditions. Therapists can help patients by reducing or eliminating physical disability, improve functional capacity, and provide independence to patients.

A Career in Occupational Therapy

When you have chosen to become an Occupational therapist, there are many things you should know. First of all, if you don’t have any experience in this field, you should try to get some. Try attending a general practice nursing school, an Occupational therapy nursing school, or even an Occupational therapy doctorate program. Once you have a few years of nursing experience under your belt, you can go back to school to get additional education.

Scope of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is the sax. In most states, the number of occupational therapist jobs has increased by about 20% since 2020. Occupational Therapy professionals can work in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, retirement homes, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, or assisted living facilities.

Understanding the Profession

By learning the ins and outs of Occupational Therapy, you will know that Occupational Therapy is a rewarding and challenging field. If you’re interested in helping others have a better quality of life and want to help the mentally disabled, you can go for this career. Likewise, if you have a love for helping people with physical disabilities, and you like helping people with developmental disabilities, then Occupational Therapy may be the right job for you.

If you’re interested in becoming an Occupational Therapist, but you have no idea where to start, there are plenty of places that can help. Suppose you already have a Bachelor’s degree. In that case, you may want to consider an Occupational Therapy Master’s Program, as this will give you an even higher education and provide you with more hands-on experience.

There are occupational therapy programs that are not specifically geared towards those looking to enter the profession, so you may want to look into programs that focus on Occupational Therapy Assistants or Occupational Therapy Associates. Occupational Therapy Associates can take many degrees, including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D. If you have more training, you may be able to earn a Doctorate.

After you have completed your education, you will be able to take the National Occupational Therapy Certification Board examination and become a Certified Occupational Therapist. If you pass the exam, you will be considered an Occupational Therapist.