A career in occupation therapy is both rewarding and enjoyable. Occupational therapists help people with disabilities which are emotionally, physically, mentally or developmentally incurred keeping them from performing work skills and daily activities. They help their patients in activities that most people take for granted, such as daily chores; brushing your teeth and getting dressed to how to use a computer. Occupational therapists also aid in the use of adaptive devices such as wheel chairs, dressing aids and othoses devices.
An occupational therapist is a medical professional who must obtain at least a masters degree in occupational therapy in order to seek employment. Many potential occupational therapists obtain an undergraduate degree in biology, sociology, anatomy or psychology. Occupational therapists must attend a school which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education so they can sit for the national certifying exam. Most of the OT programs are full time masters or bachelor/masters programs. There are even a few doctoral programs that are accredited. There are a small number of part time and weekend programs available for busy career people who are changing career paths. All of the programs have a requirement of taking part in a 24 weeks of supervised field work.
Occupational therapists earn a very good salary. Depending on which area of health care they work in. Those in the home health service earn around $67,500, specialized offices which have both physical and occupational therapy as well as audiologist earn $62,290, working in nursing care facilities $64,750, general hospitals earn $61,610. The future looks very good for occupational therapists with a higher than the average increase in occupational therapy jobs.
The occupational therapy assistant helps the patient complete the treatments outlined by the occupational therapist. The help to improve the quality of life of the patient. An associate degree from a community college or a certification from a technical school is needed to enter this exciting career. Occupational assistants must also be some what physically strong to aid the patients. All states require a certification exam in order to get a license. as with the OT schools the occupational assistants must attend an accredited school. Occupational therapy assistants earn from between $42,000 and $50,000 a year. it is expected for jobs in this field to grow in the next few years because of an increased demand for occupational therapy services.
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