Everything you need to know about becoming an occupational therapist

• In this article you will learn:
• What skills and education you need to become an occupational therapist
• The typical career path of an occupational therapist
• The average salary of an occupational therapist
• Occupational therapist jobs that are available now

An occupational therapist is a healthcare practitioner who uses therapeutic activities to treat people who have experienced injuries, live with illnesses, or have disabilities.

When a person lives with a chronic condition or disability that causes a disruption in the ability to perform everyday activities like grooming, eating, or working, they often turn to occupational therapists to help them learn how to complete these tasks.

What does an occupational therapist do?

Also commonly referred to as OTs, occupational therapists look holistically at a person and develop accommodations and teach the skills necessary to perform daily tasks.

An occupational therapist evaluates the conditions and needs of their patients through observation and questioning. They then develop a treatment plan and work with patients to accomplish goals that will help them perform specific tasks. 

These professionals teach patients how to adjust their lifestyle after experiencing a debilitating illness or injury that changes the way their body moves or works. When a person’s disability impairs their ability to complete daily life skills such as bathing, dressing, eating, working, and even household chores, occupational therapists help them make adjustments to allow them to complete these tasks independently.

Day to day, an occupational therapists’ activities will vary depending on which patients they are working with, as the practice of occupational therapy is highly individualized based on a patient’s needs and goals. While one patient may need assistance learning how to dress themselves independently after experiencing a stroke, another may need to learn how to use special adaptive equipment in order to walk. 

Occupational therapists demonstrate exercises for patients and help facilitate task completion based on their treatment plan. They are also responsible for recommending specific equipment for patient use like eating aides or wheelchairs and showing patients how to properly operate their aides. 

Often, an occupational therapist will evaluate a person’s living or workspace to help assure that the space is functional depending on the patient’s needs. They recommend changes that can be made to accommodate their patients. This might include things such as installing wheelchair ramps or lowering cabinetry. Additionally, occupational therapists are tasked with communicating treatment plans to caregivers and family members in order to provide support to their patients.

How do you become an occupational therapist?

All occupational therapists must obtain a master’s degree through an accredited program. People who enter OT programs usually complete undergraduate coursework with a degree in science or psychology before applying to a master’s program. Most programs require specific prerequisites to be met upon application, including behavioral sciences courses, anatomy, and physiology, as well as developmental psychology.

During their graduate program, occupational therapists will complete training as an occupational therapy student (OTS) working under the supervision of a licensed OT in order to obtain practical experience. During this training, occupational therapy students will often work under an OT who specializes in the same field they themselves wish to pursue. For example, those who specialize in working mainly with patients who experience vision or hearing difficulties may seek training that specifically addresses those issues. 

After obtaining a master’s degree, many occupational therapists further their education through an occupational therapy doctorate program to become a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ODT). Occupational therapists who wish to pursue a career in research or academia often first achieve this level of education.

Although exact licensing requirements vary by state, every state in the U.S. does require that occupational therapists obtain a license in order to legally practice. All occupational therapists in the U.S. are required to pass the exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

What skills do you need to become an occupational therapist?

A thorough understanding of physical anatomy and biology is necessary for an occupational therapist, but knowledge about cognitive development and emotional response is also key for developing and executing effective patient care in this field.

The subset of patients that an occupational therapist chooses to work with will determine the exact skill set needed to develop treatment plans and work with patients to achieve goals daily. Physically speaking, an occupational therapist should be comfortable and able to be hands-on with patients in order to demonstrate therapeutic activities and operate any equipment used such as wheelchairs and walkers. 

Because occupational therapists work directly with patients who are often re-learning basic life skills, they should be able to exercise interpersonal skills like patience, clear communication, compassion, and empathy.

Adaptation is the name of the game when it comes to occupational therapy, so therapists should possess the ability to pivot plans, make adjustments, maintain flexibility, and work creatively when caring for and working with patients. OT should also be able to work collaboratively with aides, nurses, doctors, and other members of a patient’s care team.

What is the average salary for an occupational therapist?

In 2019, the annual average salary for an occupational therapist was $84,950, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Pay for an occupational therapist will vary based on where they are employed, as well as where they live. In 2019, occupational therapists employed in skilled nursing facilities made on average $90,830, while those employed in elementary schools made on average $74,670, according to the BLS.

The highest-paid 10% of occupational therapists in the U.S. made more than $121,490 in 2019, while the lowest-paid 10% of occupational therapists earned less than $53,800, per BLS reporting.

What is the typical career path for an occupational therapist?

The exact career path for an occupational therapist will depend on the type of patients an OT wishes to work with. For example, those who wish to work with pediatric patients may start off as an OT assistant in a pediatric hospital or pediatrician’s office to learn the ropes and then transition into work within a specific school or facility to work with children. 

Specialties for occupational therapists can be based on their patient’s ages, but they can also be based on the type of therapy a person needs. Some therapists may choose to specialize in working with people who live with autism, while others choose to specialize in working with patients who have lost limbs during military service.

Many occupational therapists will begin their careers as occupational therapy assistants or aides, assisting certified therapists with their patients while in school to achieve a higher education degree to become a certified OT. Assistants do not assess patients or develop treatment plans, but do perform hands-on demonstrations and assist with patient learning activities. 

Although some do maintain a traditional 40-hour workweek, an occupational therapist’s schedule is often similar to other healthcare workers in that they may work overnight and on weekends, as well as working part-time or PRN (as needed) for multiple facilities. Depending on where they are employed and what type of patients they work with, some will work longer shifts — 12 to 48 hours — especially in a hospital or long-term care facility setting.

Some occupational therapists do open their own private practices where they work with patients who come to their office or provide in-home care for patients within their specialty.

Where can you find occupational therapist jobs?

The BLS predicts that over the next 10 years, the field of occupational therapy will see a projected employment growth of 16%. Occupational therapists work with a wide range of individuals, so it is a profession with many different opportunities in various workplaces.

Take a look at some of the following occupational therapist jobs available:

Occupational Therapist at Fraser Health – Abbotsford, BC

Occupational Therapist – Outpatient at Community Health Network – Indianapolis, IN

Occupational Therapist at Blue Sprig Pediatrics, Inc. – Dallas, TX

Occupational Therapist at Space Force Command – Montgomery, AL

Occupational Therapist – Acute Therapy at Cedars-Sinai – Los Angeles, CA

Occupational Therapist – Home Care Nassau at Northwell Health – Westbury, NY

Occupational Therapist (Holistic Health and Fitness) at U.S. Army Forces Command – Fort Bragg, NC