Occupational therapy is a subspecialty of physical therapy that focuses on treating patients recovering from various conditions (physical, mental, developmental, and emotional) that affect the individual’s capacity to engage in day-to-day activities.
In Occupational Therapy Jobs, Occupational therapists perform assessments and treatments in various settings for patients who cannot fully participate in the activities of their daily lives that are significant to them.
In many cases, the goal of occupational therapy is to assist patients in developing their fine motor skills, improving their hand-eye coordination, learning or relearning fundamental tasks (such as eating, bathing, getting dressed, etc.), and other related goals.
Restoring the patient’s independence while simultaneously improving their quality of life is the ultimate objective of these various treatment modalities and approaches.
Each of the following professions has a unique way of interacting with patients, but they all contribute in some way to the same overarching goals.
Occupational Therapist:
An occupational therapist is a licensed practitioner who has received a master’s degree in occupational therapy. In addition to the standard four-year Bachelor’s degree plus one more year of coursework, an occupational therapist must complete three years of supervised clinical experience to receive their license to practice.
They conduct assessments, develop treatment plans and teach patients strategies for improving their quality of life by performing tasks that are significant to them. They also assist with essential household tasks, such as cooking, housekeeping, and caring for children.
To become an occupational therapist, an individual must meet specific requirements. One must be a licensed practitioner by applying first to the state’s occupational therapy board of licensure.
Occupational Therapy Supervisor:
An occupational therapy supervisor works under the direction of an occupational therapist and assists in implementing the treatment plan for patients. A graduate degree is not required, although it can add to the skills and knowledge that might otherwise be unavailable.
Workers in the field of occupational therapy, such as therapists, assistants, aides, and interns, fall under the purview of their facility’s occupational therapy supervisor. Some examples of this are conducting interviews, providing orientation, monitoring attendance, resolving complaints, and managing schedules and workloads.
Also, they might conduct patient evaluations and other direct occupational therapy tasks. Supervisors in the field of occupational therapy typically report to the director of rehabilitation.
Many supervisors in the field of occupational therapy have previously worked in the field as occupational therapists due to the in-depth knowledge required for the job. This position requires a candidate to have a master’s degree in occupational therapy and appropriate licensure.
Physical Therapist:
A physical therapist has a master’s degree in physical therapy combined with at least three years of clinical experience, but they may also have a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). The latter has education requirements beyond those of the M.S. degree.
Physical therapists often work with more acute injuries, such as surgery-related pain and other physical impairments that have not been resolved through traditional treatment approaches.
Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA):
An occupational therapist assistant is a licensed vocational specialist on the rise in occupational therapy who also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy or a related field.
Occupational therapist assistants are trained to perform tasks that an occupational therapist typically assigns, but they typically need more training, education, and experience than a fully licensed practitioner.
To become an occupational therapy assistant, one must be licensed and certified in the state where one intends to practice. They must also acquire several years of practical experience and develop competency in the various skills required for the job.
Director of Rehabilitation:
Directors of rehabilitation (also called occupational therapy supervisors) play an important role in providing occupational therapy services through their involvement in designing, implementing, and managing these interventions.
Workflow and process optimization, department/organizational goal setting, personnel recruitment and training, time and attendance tracking, budget management, and other administrative tasks may fall under this category.
Healthcare facilities with sizable occupational therapy departments sometimes hire full-time directors of rehabilitation. An advanced degree is typically preferable, but a bachelor’s degree is usually required for most employment.
Many people with a master’s degree in occupational therapy work as an O.T. before deciding to pursue a career as a director of rehabilitation. Others may earn a master’s degree in health administration to further their managerial careers.
Conclusion:
Occupational therapy is a career that offers many benefits to both the patient and the therapist. The occupational therapist can help people with physical or mental impairments and those who need extra help with everyday tasks.
Occupational therapy helps patients with daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, traveling, and eating. It can also help patients adjust towards self-sufficiency by taking medications and following doctor’s orders.