Occupational therapy (OT) is a health care profession with a unique history and a promising future for career growth.
Occupational therapy practitioners use meaningful activities (occupations) to help people achieve a high quality of life and reach their highest potential.
But what does an occupational therapist do, and could this be the career you've been looking for?
A Brief History of Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy was established during World War I when the United States employed "reconstruction aides" to assist in the recovery of wounded and anxious soldiers.
Reconstruction aides were civilian women who served in military hospitals at home and abroad. They taught crafts and vocational skills, which helped traumatized soldiers mentally and physically recover while teaching them productive skills.
Therefore, occupational therapy was founded on the belief that participation in meaningful activity helps people improve quickly and have better mental health and morale.
Modern-day occupational therapy continues to adhere to this foundational belief. Occupational therapy practitioners use everyday life activities (occupations) as interventions to promote health and the ability to participate in essential life activities.
What Occupational Therapists Do
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people of all ages to enable them to participate in daily activities. What does that mean? Let's consider some examples.
- An OT may help a new mom who has delivered by c-section learn to hold her baby for nursing in a way that is safe for her body and the baby.
- Support a patient who suffered a stroke to learn to hold eating utensils with a weakened grasp.
- Teach a child with autism strategies to regulate emotions.
- Help a teacher adapt the classroom to support students with low vision.
- Teach a person with memory decline strategies to manage a medication schedule safely.
- Provide home modification recommendations for returning home after surgery or injury.
These examples represent only a minuscule sample of what occupational therapists can offer. Occupational therapists are experts at adapting activities and environments to allow people to participate in life as fully as possible.
Where Do Occupational Therapists Work
Occupational therapists work in various settings and provide services across the entire lifespan. Occupational therapists commonly offer services in:
- Homes
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Private practice
- Specialty rehabilitation clinics
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICU)
- Virtual via telehealth
Career Outlook and Earning Potential
Employment for occupational therapists in the United States is expected to grow by eleven percent from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
The career outlook for OT is strong. Occupational therapy is ranked among the top ten healthcare jobs based on wage potential, employment, prospects, and work-life balance. From 2022 to 2032, projections indicate that 16,100 new jobs will open in the occupational therapy field.
A career in occupational therapy offers opportunities for advancement and progressively increasing earning potential.
Occupational therapists are visible in management, leadership, research, and educational roles and increasingly have a place in various industries, including business, government, and academic institutions.
Salary Expectations
Salary for occupational therapists can vary greatly depending on location, setting type, and experience level.
Occupational therapy generally offers competitive compensation, with the median hourly wage at $44.80 and the median annual wage at $93,180.
How to Become an Occupational Therapist
Educational Requirements
To practice as an occupational therapist in the United States, one must complete a master's degree or a professional doctorate in occupational therapy from an accredited occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Admission to an entry-level master's degree program requires completion of a bachelor's degree, and some programs will accept applicants who have completed their bachelor's degree. A master's degree program is typically two to three years long.
Admission to an entry-level doctorate (OTD) program requires completion of a bachelor's degree, and doctoral programs typically take two to three years.
While both master's and doctoral programs prepare therapists for entry-level practice, doctoral programs have a greater emphasis on leadership, research, and potential work in academia.
Other paths toward becoming an occupational therapist can also support current OTs working towards an advanced degree and occupational therapist assistant (OTA) program graduates looking to transition to occupational therapists.
- Post-Professional OTD programs
- OTA to OT bridge programs
Post-Educational Requirements
After completing a master's or doctorate in occupational therapy, the next step to practice OT in the US is to pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
The NBCOT exam is a comprehensive exam that tests knowledge of the occupational therapy profession, including theory and practice.
After successfully passing the NBCOT exam, the last step is obtaining state licensure where you wish to practice. Licensure guidelines, requirements, and laws vary by state, as do continuing education requirements for renewing licensure.
Skills and Traits of a Successful Occupational Therapist
At its core, occupational therapy is a client-centered and holistic profession that considers the "whole person" and not simply a diagnosis in isolation.
No two people with the same diagnosis are alike; therefore, no two people are impacted by the same diagnosis in the same way. Hence, along with obtaining textbook knowledge through education, OTs are most successful when they have or can acquire certain traits and skills:
- Empathetic
- Creative
- Good interpersonal skills
- Effective communication skills
- Adaptable to changing environments, personalities, and circumstances
- High emotional intelligence
- Strong problem-solving skills
Rewards and Challenges of the Profession
The rewards of being an occupational therapist are limitless. However, there are some commonly reported benefits:
- Making a tangible difference in people's lives every day
- Opportunities for lifelong learning and specialty certification
- Flexibility to change settings or areas of focus
There are potential challenges that vary depending on the setting:
- Possible physical demands
- Documentation and paperwork
- The emotional intensity that can come with being a healthcare provider
If you ask an occupational therapist about their career, you'll likely hear that the rewards far outweigh the challenges and that they love being part of the profession.
Is Occupational Therapy Right for You
If you're drawn to health care, occupational therapy is an ideal career for those who value a holistic approach and who want to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals, their families, and communities.
Occupational therapy could be your calling if you're seeking a rewarding career where you can provide individualized care and apply your educational and creative skills to enrich people's lives.
