Occupational therapy is used everyday in restoring a persons ability to perform at work after suffering from a disability or an accident that may hinder the performance of the position they are already in. Occupation is defined as the process of living. To occupate something does not just refer to work, it can also mean enjoying every day life, socializing, being a part of a community, and more. An Occupational therapist is hired to work with an individual, a family, or a group of people to facilitate heath, justice, and ensure an individuals well-being through a place of employment. They work with clients to become more independent and to feel confident in their own ability to accomplish tasks. Because of the importance of a therapist, there are occupational therapy jobs available today.

An occupational therapist, or OT, will receive a referral first. Usually a doctor or a company will refer an individual to an OT for assistance. Once the individual sets up an appointment, he or she will schedule a meeting to meet with the therapist. When the meeting starts, the occupational therapist will gather up the information needed to make an assessment and to create a plan for treatment. This assessment is made through a number of questions that the OT will ask the individual and referral papers that have already been sent over.

The most important therapist job is to identify the needs of the patient and then set some short-term and long-term goals for the person to reach. This will require action planning in order to reach each goal set. You will learn how to identify needs and how to turn the needs into reachable goals when you study to be an OT.

Once the treatment starts, it will continue until one of the goals are reached. Sometimes goals have to be adjusted once the therapist begins to work with the client and realizes that the goal that was set is not realistic or may require a few changes. It will be important for the professional therapist to provide ongoing assessment every time she or he meets with the individual to revise the action as needed.

Goals are important even in occupational therapy. When an individual is consulting with a therapist, the need to consistently measure the outcome of the individual and adjust it as needed. This is not the same thing as goals. The outcome that an individual has when he or she starts may change when they begin the program. They may decide they would like to pursue a different career when they are finished with plan of care.

Once the goals have been reached and the client is progressing well, the OT will need to determine when to discharge the individual in order to continue reaching goals on their own. The OT will meet with the client a few times before it is time to discharge them. During the meetings, the therapist will be able to observe any changes they notice since the first visit.

The therapist will then review notes, progress charts, and all the information documented throughout the course of time and close the file with final notes. He or she will then send out a letter to the professional who referred the client and the client as well. If there are any one else involved in this part of the treatment, the therapist will also send a letter to them as well.

The need for professionals in this field is in great demand. There are occupational therapy jobs available locally and online today. Do a search to find this position in your area and get started in your new career today.

Author Bio: The medical field is an ever-expanding field that is much needed because of the aging population. There is an especially high demand for physician assistant jobs and speech pathology jobs

Category: Career
Keywords: nurse jobs,nursing,medical practice,health jobs,medical agency,staffing agency,therapists,health