Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist : About

They design some purposeful activity or interventions to promote health, prevent injury or disability. They work with clients on a one-to-one basis and they design treatment programmers to suit each person's needs and lifestyle. The work could include programs like teaching an older patient recovering from a stroke how to dress, encouraging someone suffering from depression to take up a hobby or activity which they enjoyed earlier, helping clients adjust to permanent disabilities, etc.

Occupational therapist

Career Roles & Responsibilities
  • Review patients’ medical history, ask the patients questions, and observe them doing tasks.
  • Evaluate a patient’s condition and needs
  • Develop a treatment plan for patients, identifying specific goals and the types of activities that will be used to help the patient work toward those goals
  • Help people with various disabilities perform different tasks, such as teaching a stroke victim how to get dressed
  • Demonstrate exercises—for example, stretching the joints for arthritis relief—that can help relieve pain in people with chronic conditions
  • Evaluate a patient’s home or workplace and, based on the patient’s health needs, identify potential improvements, such as labeling kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory
  • Educate a patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate and care for the patient
  • Recommend special equipment, such as wheelchairs and eating aids, and instruct patients on how to use that equipment
  • Assess and record patients’ activities and progress for patient evaluations, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers
Imporatnt Facts
  • Most colleges have eligibility criteria of a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Class XII / and some of a minimum 60%.
  • Must have passed class 12thor senior secondary examination with at least 50% marks including English.
  • Some colleges/ universities also have an age limit (17 on 31st December of the year of admission).
Leading Institutes
Occupational Therapist >> Job & Salary

An occupational therapist helps in case of disabilities to independently manage their day-to-day tasks. Some of the key tasks they manage include:

  • Advise on special equipment which can be used to assist in day to day activities
  • Create recovery and rehabilitation program to help in rebuilding skills and capabilities
  • Train and mentor people with learning disabilities
  • Liaison with doctors, patients families & medical support staff
  • Train patient on soft skills such as anger & anxiety management
  • Build strong relationships and trust with patients and concerned stakeholders
Occupational Therapist >> Pros & Cons
Career Pros Details
  • It is satisfying to bring a change in someone's life and bring a change.
  • You can work in different areas according to your preference.
  • You can work independently and set up your clinic.

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Career Cons Details
  • You should be very patient with the patients.
  • It can be very frustrating if the clients don't respond.
  • The field requires critical thinking and good problem-solving skills.
Occupational Therapist >> Famous Personalities
Occupational Therapist >> Skills Require
  • Patience
  • Determination
  • Enthusiasm
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • An interest in working closely with people
  • Good teamwork skills
  • Ability to find solutions to problems