Occupational
Therapists
Significant Points
· Employment
is projected to increase faster than the average, as rapid growth in the number
of middle-aged and elderly individuals increases the demand for therapeutic
services.
· Occupational
therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory roles.
· More than
one-third of occupational therapists work part time.
Nature of the Work
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve
their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments.
They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically,
developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop,
recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists not
only help clients improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but
also compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients
have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapists assist clients in
performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer, to caring
for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may
be used to increase strength and dexterity, while paper and pencil exercises
may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns. A
client with short-term memory loss, for instance, might be encouraged to make
lists to aid recall. A person with coordination problems might be assigned
exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. Occupational therapists also use
computer programs to help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning,
problem solving, and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and
coordination-all of which are important for independent living.
For those with permanent functional disabilities,
such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, therapists
instruct in the use of adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, splints, and
aids for eating and dressing. They also design or make special equipment needed
at home or at work. Therapists develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and
teach clients with severe limitations how to use it. This equipment enables
clients to communicate better and to control other aspects of their
environment.
Some occupational therapists, called industrial
therapists, treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment
has been impaired. They arrange employment, plan work activities, and evaluate
the client's progress.
Occupational therapists may work exclusively with
individuals in a particular age group, or with particular disabilities. In
schools, for example, they evaluate children's abilities, recommend and provide
therapy, modify classroom equipment, and in general, help children participate
as fully as possible in school programs and activities. Occupational therapy is
also beneficial to the elderly population. Therapists help senior citizens lead
more productive, active and independent lives through a variety of methods,
including the use of adaptive equipment.
Occupational therapists in mental health settings
treat individuals who are mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally
disturbed. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help
people learn to cope with daily life. Activities include time management
skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking, and use of public transportation. They
may also work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse,
depression, eating disorders, or stress related disorders.
Recording a client's activities and progress is an
important part of an occupational therapist's job. Accurate records are
essential for evaluating clients, billing, and reporting to physicians and
others.
Working Conditions
Occupational therapists in hospitals and other
health care and community settings usually work a 40-hour week. Those in
schools may also participate in meetings and other activities, during and after
the school day. More than one-third of occupational therapists work part time.
In large rehabilitation centers, therapists may
work in spacious rooms equipped with machines, tools, and other devices
generating noise. The job can be tiring, because therapists are on their feet
much of the time. Those providing home healthcare may spend time driving from
appointment to appointment. Therapists also face hazards such as back strain
from lifting and moving clients and equipment.
Therapists are increasingly taking on supervisory
roles. Due to rising healthcare costs, third party payers are beginning to
encourage occupational therapist assistants and aides to take more hands-on
responsibility. By having assistants and aides work more closely with clients
under the guidance of a therapist, the cost of therapy should be more modest.
Employment
Occupational therapists held about 78,000 jobs in
2000. About 1 in 6 occupational therapists held more than one job in 2000. The
largest number of jobs was in hospitals, including many in rehabilitation and
psychiatric hospitals. Other major employers include offices and clinics of
occupational therapists and other health practitioners, school systems, home
health agencies, nursing homes, community mental health centers, adult daycare
programs, job training services, and residential care facilities.
Some occupational therapists are self-employed in
private practice. They see clients referred by physicians or other health
professionals, or provide contract or consulting services to nursing homes,
schools, adult daycare programs, and home health agencies.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
A bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is the
minimum requirement for entry into this field. All States, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia regulate occupational therapy. To obtain a license,
applicants must graduate from an accredited educational program, and pass a
national certification examination. Those who pass the test are awarded the
title of registered occupational therapist.
In 1999, entry-level education was offered in 88
bachelor's degree programs; 11 postbachelor's certificate programs for students
with a degree other than occupational therapy; and 53 entry-level master's
degree programs. Nineteen programs offered a combined bachelor's and master's
degree and 2 offered an entry-level doctoral degree. Most schools have
full-time programs, although a growing number also offer weekend or part-time
programs.
Occupational therapy coursework includes physical,
biological, and behavioral sciences, and the application of occupational
therapy theory and skills. Completion of 6 months of supervised fieldwork also
is required.
Persons considering this profession should take
high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, health, art, and the social
sciences. College admissions offices also look favorably at paid or volunteer
experience in the healthcare field.
Occupational therapists need patience and strong
interpersonal skills to inspire trust and respect in their clients. Ingenuity
and imagination in adapting activities to individual needs are assets. Those
working in home health care must be able to successfully adapt to a variety of
settings.
Job Outlook
Employment of occupational therapists is expected
to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Federal
legislation imposing limits on reimbursement for therapy services may adversely
affect the job market for occupational therapists in the near term. However,
over the long run, the demand for occupational therapists should continue to
rise as a result of growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or
limited function requiring therapy services. The baby-boom generation's
movement into middle age, a period when the incidence of heart attack and
stroke increases, will increase the demand for therapeutic services. The rapidly
growing population 75 years of age and above (an age that suffers from a high
incidence of disabling conditions), also will demand additional services.
Medical advances now enable more patients with critical problems to survive.
These patients may need extensive therapy.
Hospitals will continue to employ a large number of
occupational therapists to provide therapy services to acutely ill inpatients.
Hospitals will also need occupational therapists to staff their outpatient
rehabilitation programs.
Employment growth in schools will result from
expansion of the school-age population and extended services for disabled
students. Therapists will be needed to help children with disabilities prepare
to enter special education programs.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of occupational therapists
were $49,450 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,460 and $57,890.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,040, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $70,810. Median annual earnings in the industries employing
the largest numbers of occupational therapists in 2000 were as follows:
|
·
Nursing and personal care facilities
|
$51,220
|
|
·
Hospitals
|
$50,430
|
|
·
Offices of other health practitioners
|
$49,520
|
|
·
Elementary and secondary schools
|
$45,340
|
Related Occupations
Occupational therapists use specialized knowledge
to help individuals perform daily living skills and achieve maximum
independence. Other workers performing similar duties include chiropractors,
physical therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation counselors,
respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
Sources of Additional Information
For more information on occupational therapy as a
career, contact:
The American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720
Montgomery Ln., P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Internet: http://www.aota.org
Bureau of
Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2002-03 Edition. http://www.bls.gov/oco/.
