Occupational Therapy Career Paper

An occupational therapist treat ill and/or disabled patients to regain the ability to do everyday activities. These patients could range from working with children, old adults, ones without a limb, alzheimer patients, and etc. They could also work at hospitals, schools, home health care services, or go to the patient’s home directly. This career requires a master’s degree in occupational therapy. The median annual wage for this career is $80,150 with being $38.54 per hour (BLS, 2015b). Employment of occupational therapist is projected to increase 27 percent, which is faster than the average compared than all occupations (BLS, 2015b). In the Las Vegas area, there are currently 124 full-time job openings and 35 part-time job openings (Indeed, 2016b). When I was in high school, occupational

You need to have a master's degree in Occupational Therapist and a license. Common bachelor degrees in this field are biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or an anatomy. While working on getting your master's degree you should study anatomy physiology and medical terminology Karma you also need to spend six months working with patients. Well most Occupational Therapist work full-time some work part-time. In this field you can work with children

The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes an occupational therapist as one who treats patients who are ill, injured, or disabled by the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working (2014-15).The Occupational Handbook describes the many jobs of these occupational therapists in steps. It states that the process begins with observing patients, interviewing them, and reviewing medical history. Once they evaluate the patient’s condition and needs, they develop a treatment plan that includes various activities to help them accomplish specific goals (2014-15). Occupational therapists can help with various disabilities in patients of all ages. For example, if an autistic child struggles with pinching the buttons on a shirt in order to button them, a therapist could give the child tasks such as beading, in order to teach them to grasp using two fingers (Sheryl Bos interview). They can also aid patients in learning how to operate special equipment and even educate a patient’s family or teacher/employer on how to accommodate and care for them (Occupational Handbook 2014-15). OTs can work in many settings as well. They are able to work in educational setting as well as mental settings. With this range, OTs can work in hospitals, schools, rehab centers, home health, or nursing care facilities (Occupational Handbook 2014-15). In order to become successful occupational therapists, the

There are many things that you have to be able to do to be a occupational therapist. You have to be able to “Test and evaluate patients ' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients” ("Occupational Therapists."Ohio Means Jobs ). This means that you have to be able to figure out your patient 's physical and mental abilities and you have to know what is best for your patient.

To become an occupational therapist, you’ll need to graduate with a diploma, then attend a college or university and take courses like anatomy/physiology, biology, statistics, psychology, chemistry, and core classes like math and English. Then you’ll need to attend a university that offers an occupational therapy program that will take 5-6 years depending on whether or not you’re a full-time student. Later, when you

First, I will have to complete my bachelors at an accredited college rather it be online or in a classroom setting. While studying for my current classes for my bachelors in health science, I must also study for a very difficult test called the GRE test. This is the test that a student must take and not only pass but do very well on in order to qualify and to apply to a graduate program. Upon passing this test and submitting my scores to the master of occupational therapy program that I choose, I must also complete at least eighty hours of volunteer time or internship at an occupational therapy rehab program where I will “shadow” a licensed occupational therapist. Once this is all complete, then I will be ready to apply to the graduate school that I choose. In this school, I will get my master’s degree in occupational therapy which will take another two to three years depending on the course load that I choose. After graduating with my masters in occupational therapy, I will then have to sit for the NBCOT test (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) in order to get my license to practice. I will then be required to take continuing education courses every year as do most healthcare

Also, I would need to think about what careers are the next step above an occupational therapists. As Dr. Oz once said “Whatever you choose, to do it fully with a passion and a child-like

Watching different sessions of therapy at the hospital, I was able to see how the occupational therapists enhance an individual's ability to move upper extremities and allow a greater level of confidence and independence. My extensive variety of experiences throughout my college career has helped to develop and strengthen my personal and professional skills. My organizational skills and time management were enhanced while being a research associate for the biology team and being the Vice President of Outreach as well as the Vice President of Management of the leadership board for the Jewish Child Care Association. I feel I am suitable for this role because I am a tolerant, motivated, and capable individual, who wants to make a difference and enduring change to people’s

Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in the field of mental health. The need of occupational therapy varies from the adolescent to adults. Occupational therapist want to reach the ultimate goal, to fully engage and participate in community activities. These activities include being able to obtain a job and maintain it, being able to attend school, and living life independently (Castaneda, 2013). Occupational therapist provides barriers to gain function through interventions that focus on increasing existing skills, creating opportunities, promoting wellness, and modifying or adapting the environment or activity (Castaneda, 2013) Occupational therapy practitioners have open settings

My journey to Occupational Therapy has been like playing in a championship basketball game. Going into the game there is a game plan that is strategic, but overtime changes and adjustments must be made to ensure success. I started out my college career game plan with the goal of helping others through Athletic Training. However, through my various classes, interactions with individuals, and personal injuries I came to realize that Occupational Therapy was where my adjusted game winning plan was.

What do I want to do when I’m older? What college do I want to go to? How am I supposed to know this, I don’t even know what I want to eat for lunch! When I was little, I would always watch Hannah Montana, which was my all-time favorite show. I was convinced that when I grew up, I would become a popstar. I imagined myself living life just like she did. I even had a blonde wig which looked just like hers. Sometimes I would go into my room, put the wig on, and play her songs as loud as possible. I would get my hair brush out, use it as a microphone, and start dancing around my room like nobody was watching. But now, because I’m older, I realize my dreams of rock star fame and fortune have longed sizzled

Occupational therapy is a career which helps to assist those that are unable to perform the basic skills required in their specific occupation. It is best known for its unique nature, high demand, and potential for extreme success and fulfillment. To understand occupational therapy, one must understand the unique nature of the career. Therapists provide assistance in the areas of self-help, paid and non-paid work, and leisure activities. Secondly, personal attributes, rigorous educational requirements, and flexibility working with a vast age range in a variety of clinical settings contribute to occupational therapy being in high demand despite its consistent popularity. Lastly, the work can be challenging and overwhelming, so it is

To become an occupational therapists, a person has to have a certain degree of education. An occupation therapist has to have the minimum of a master’s degree, which takes 2-3 years, depending on the program. While taking the Master’s program, a person learns how to make an effective treatment plan for patients. They also learn how to use equipment suitable for the career (Occupational Outlook Handbook). A person pursuing this career must be good at using logic.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitative Services, I have heard the majority of my fellow colleagues state that their reason for pursuing this degree is because they are interested in helping people. There are many other professions that require helping people so it makes me question not only them but myself, “How do I want to help people?”. Reflecting on this question also helped me realize why I want to help in the first place. The reason for this passion of mine comes from knowing that life moves incredibly fast, therefore, it is important to me that people live their life without difficulty and enjoy the present. As an Occupational Therapist I will be the person that the patient receives hope and encouragement from.

Edward Everett Hale once stated, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” I feel that this statement is everything an occupational therapist is about. I cannot do everything, but I can and will do something to help individuals regain their lives back. I have seen how impactful occupational therapy is by watching the drastic changes it has on lives. The TTUHSC Master of Occupational Therapy program has every quality needed to gain knowledge of this field to help me reach my dreams of helping others.