Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help patients recover, develop, or improve the skills they need to perform daily tasks. Sometimes utilizing equipment, they develop treatment plans to educate the patient in order to progress. Typically, occupational therapists work with doctors and therapists in hospital or other medical settings.

Responsibilities of Occupational Therapists

Responsible for treating patients who are disabled, injured, or ill, an occupational therapist helps patients perform their daily tasks through therapeutic methods. They evaluate their patient’s condition and needs, and they develop a treatment plan that incorporates various activities to help them reach their goals.

For example, they may determine ways to help a stroke victim get dressed. Occupational therapists also educate the patient’s family and employer on how to accommodate their care. In addition, an occupational therapist records and evaluates the patient’s progress, and they determine any special equipment that may help the patient’s recovery.

Occupational therapists may collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other therapists in a hospital setting. They may have to work nights and weekends to accommodate a patient’s availability, and they may need to lift heavy equipment.

Occupational Therapist Salary Details

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for an occupational therapist is $83,200 per year. Occupational therapists working in nursing care facilities typically earn more than those at hospitals. Through 2026, it is projected that employment for the role will grow 24 percent, much faster than average.

Education Requirements

Typically, occupational therapists enter the career with a master’s degree. Admission to a master’s program in occupational therapy generally requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Some previous experience in an occupational therapy role, such as an internship, can be beneficial. Occupational therapists are required by all states to be licensed.

The online BSHS from Shawnee State University Online Campus can be the perfect stepping-stone to a career as an occupational therapist. Conveniently offered online, the program focuses on the various issues in the dynamic healthcare industry, as well as topics including epidemiology, diseases, disabilities, and medical terminology. While learning from educators who are experienced in their respective fields, you can study at your own pace.