What does an OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST do? An occupational therapist is a therapist who treats and helps persons improve their ability to perform duties in their daily routines and working environments. Occupational therapists further assists individuals who have mental, physical, developmentally or emotional disabilities. Occupational therapists help to improve basic motor functions and logical capabilities. Occupational therapists are moreover goal-oriented and help people gain independent, productive and overall satisfactory lives.
Occupational therapist duties may include assisting clients in performing all sorts of activities - ranging from dressing one's self to using a computer. Occupational therapist exhibit and train persons on physical exercises that increase strength, mobility and dexterity. Other excercises that an occupational therapist may incorporate in his or her treatment are visual and memory exercises, coordination exercises and even computer program exercises. Occupational therapists also help disabled persons by ordering and instructing the use of physical equipment like wheelchairs, splints, and other physical aids. Overall, occupational therapist not only help persons with disabilities, they also record and evalute a client's activities and progress. This information is then transcribed to physicians for more adequate evaluation and consideration in enhancing the occupational therapist's plans and goals for patients.
Occupational therapists usually work in small and large rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, vocational rehabilitation facilities and in home health care. Prospective students must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree before attaining a carrer in occupational therapy. Potential earning of an occupational therapist can range anywhere from $40k - $70k per annual. To learn more about becoming an occupational therapist, or if you are interested in enrolling in a school that instructs occupational therapy, see our school and/or consumer resources directories today!
Occupational Therapist