As a part of patient treatment, occupational therapy is used to help patients who have been injured, diseased or are disabled regain and rebuild skills that are needed for independent living and functioning. Occupational therapy developed during World War I for use on soldiers who were severely injured. The purpose was to advance the science of teaching and combating a combination of economic, social and biological reason for dysfunctions.

As part of the science of occupation therapy clinics, workshop and training schools have been established worldwide, and since 1920 the profession of occupational therapist has enjoy decent wages, fair working conditions and steady employment tactics.

What Occupational Therapists Do

Occupational therapists treat the needs of patients who require rehabilitation from disability, injuries and diseases. They provide treatment for adults in a variety of situations including hospitals, in and outpatient rehabilitation, and acute rehabilitation. OTs provide physical, cognitive, psychosocial and environmental training to help increase a quality of life in a range of settings.

Some of the more well-known duties of occupation therapists include:

-Using new technologies to help with speech by utilizing speech to text software.

-Training patients with amputation in regards to using myuolelctrically controlled limbs.

-Engaging cancer patients in providing therapy for lymphedema management, utilizing stress and anxiety reduction methods and teaching patients fatigue management.

-Testing by simulating work tasks to determine the best matches for accommodations at work and the level of disability.

-Teaching groups of employees how to prevent work related injuries. Occupation therapists use ergonomics and on site evaluations.

-Teaching and developing new ways of doing everyday tasks.

-Breaking down complex tasks into achievable components.

-Adapting or removing environmental obstacles.

-Educating family members on the best ways to implement strength training, using artificial limbs, manipulating physical devices to everyday living.

Education to become an OT

Most prospective occupational therapists earn bachelor’s degrees in the fields of liberal arts, life sciences or social sciences. Other majors include sociology, biology, anatomy and anthropology. If you are seeking work as an occupational therapy assistant, an associate degree or a two year degree is offered by community colleges.

Occupational therapists need to obtain a master’s degree in the study of occupational therapy. This degree is obtained from an accredited program. General Master Degrees in occupational therapy can take up to two years of advanced education and clinical experience beyond the traditional bachelor’s degree.

Licensure to become an occupational therapist includes passing the licensure exam in a student’s particular state. Licensing procedures are different from state to state and prospective occupational therapists need to work with the schools in their states to achieve passing scores on that state’s exam.

As a licensed occupational therapist, in order to retain licensure, it is mandatory that continuing professional education and development in the form of presentations, coursework and research as well as continuing coursework be advanced. There are increasing advancements in the use of prosthetic devices, mental training, lifestyle adaptations and actual traditions to provide therapy for disabled and injured patients.

For more information, please visit our occupational therapy website.

For more information, please visit our occupational therapy website http://www.worcester.edu/OccupationalTherapyDept/default.aspx

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our occupational therapy website.

Category: Education
Keywords: occupational therapy