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See Available Occupational Therapist Schools
Occupational therapists help patients
improve their ability to perform tasks in their living
and working environments. They treat a wide range of
individuals, from those with mental and emotional disabilities
to those with physical or developmental disabilities,
helping them to develop or recover skills needed to
be self-sufficient and to be able to work. The main
focus of an occupational therapist is helping patients
have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapists help clients in
several ways, from daily needs such as dressing, cooking,
and eating, to help using a computer. They may also
have their client do special exercises to increase strength
and dexterity, and help them adapt to any special equipment,
such as prostheses, wheelchairs, or aids for eating
or dressing. They also teach their clients how to use
special computer-aided equipment that will help them
communicate better as well as control various aspects
of their environment. They can work with various types
of clients, or may focus on one specific group in practice.
Occupational therapists also keep progress records in
order to periodically evaluate clients and to share
with physicians and other healthcare providers as needed.
Occupational therapists work in hospitals,
private offices, private and public educational services,
nursing homes, home healthcare services, outpatient
care centers, community care facilities for the elderly,
and government agencies. They usually work a 40 hour
week, but may work evenings, weekends, or holidays in
order to better care for their clients. Their salaries
also vary according to the capacity in which they are
employed, but can range from $35,130 to $74,390, with
the average being $51,990. Usually those working in
nursing homes make the highest salary.
In order to become an occupational therapist,
one must earn at least a bachelor’s degree in
occupational therapy. Starting in 2007, however, a master’s
degree will be the minimum degree required to practice.
Upon completion of the degree program, one must successfully
take a national certification exam in order to be licensed
to practice.
The outlook for occupational therapists
is good, and expected to grow faster than the average
for all occupations. This is due to the increasing number
of elderly people, as the nation’s largest population,
the baby boom generation, passes into old age. It is
also due to the fact that advances in medical technology
are allowing more people with serious injuries to survive,
even with serious medical complications.
Florida
Keiser
College
(Ft.Lauderdale, Melbourne)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist
Assistant
Pennsylvania
ICM
School of Business and Medical Careers
(Pittsburgh)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist
Assistant
Idaho
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