Occupational Therapist. Elio Ambrosio & Taryn Faull

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1 Occupational Therapist Elio Ambrosio & Taryn Faull

2 Background Information Occupational therapists usually work to help children and/or people who are ill, disabled or injured. They use special equipment to help people develop, recover or improve their everyday skills. About half of occupational therapists work in specialized occupational therapy offices or in hospitals. They also work in schools, nursing homes and home health services. Therapeutic career path We chose this career because it is walking through and teaching (sometimes reteaching) of how to do everyday activities such as eating or tying your shoes. They seem like easy tasks but they take muscles they were possibly injured or did not develop like the rest and the patients need help to relearn or learn how to perform those tasks.

3 Job Responsibilities 1. Occupational therapists mostly work for 40 hours a week, usually divided in regular daily shifts. 2. Occupational therapists spend most of their time on their feet working directly with the patient, commonly this happens either in hospitals or specific occupational therapy practices 3. 5 characteristics necessary to succeed as an Occupational Therapist: -Comprehension -Patience -Communication skills -Adaptation -Problem solving skills 4. Most of the work is done directly with the patient, through physical contact, and vocal instructions, a visit can last for different amounts of time, based off of the patient s need, it usually goes from 45 mins to 1 h.

4 Licenses and Certifications 1. A license for Occupational Therapy is required, and it has to be released from the state in which the Therapist will work. A certification can be acquired, but it is not mandatory 2. Every state has different rules, in California, in order to obtain and hold an occupational therapy license, it is necessary to complete 24 professional development units every two years 3. Other than completing the 24 professional development units,a therapist should also complete what are called contact hours, always every 2 years, in order to keep the license updated 4. The American Occupational Therapy Association (A.O.T.A.), is the main professional organization that represents Occupational Therapy

5 Required Education Most accept a four-year undergraduate degree in one of the following: biology, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, health science or even liberal arts. Depending on the grad school you attend you may need to obtain a bachelor s degree in Occupational Therapy. Then in order to qualify for licensure it is required to have obtained a master s degree in occupational therapy (includes 2-3 years of work in hospitals, rehab facilities, clinics etc.). Some licensing requirements vary between states, but most require an application fee, official college transcripts, a background check, and passing scores on the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. In California, it is possible to obtain the appropriate schooling at CSU Dominguez Hills, San Jose State, Loma Linda University and USC. At Loma Linda University, a three year Master s of Occupational Therapy program costs about $79,560 (typically does not include room and board, books or other supplies).

6 Career Reflection 1. What surprised me was how different it actually is from Physical Therapy, it is a common mistake to believe that they are the same thing, or that they are very similar. 2. Yes, I think I would like this career because it offers direct contact with the patient, and it is paid fairly well, especially in California. 3. If interested in occupational therapy, someone could ask for an apprenticeship program at one of the many Occupational therapy practices in our area. Plus, if interested, people can go give a look at the official website of the American Occupational Therapy Association, it is full of resources. 4. PROS: CONS - Lucrative Salary - Physically demanding - High Demand - Patient misbehavior - Flexibility (different fields of opportunity) - Extensive study required

7 Employment Statistics The average salary for an occupational therapist is about $82,947. However it can range from $75,977-$90,371 About 104,500 Americans are currently employed as occupational therapists About 10,390 occupational therapists in California, making it the state with the most people employed in this career. Females make up about 90% of occupational therapists leaving about 10% male occupational therapists.

8 References Darden, Jenee. Wanted: Men For Occupational Therapy Jobs. NPR, NPR, 26 Jan. 2010, < Occupational Therapists. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, < "How do you become an Occupational Therapist?." Masters In Special Education Web. 10 Oct < >. "Occupational Therapist Salaries by education, experience, location and more - Salary.com." Browse Jobs by Salary Ranges - Salary.com. Web. 10 Oct < >. " Occupational Therapists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Web. 10 Oct < >. (2016, ). Top Occupational Therapy Schools and Colleges Online Programs, Requirements and Job Outlook. Pros and Cons of Being an Occupational Therapist. Retrieved October 11, 2017, from (2017, ). Retrieved October 11, 2017, from Simmers, L., Simmers- Nartker, K., & Simmers- Kobelak, S. (2009, ). Diversified Health Occupations. Retrieved October 11, 2017, from

THE ROAD TO BECOMING AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Emily Patton, MS, OTR/L

THE ROAD TO BECOMING AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Emily Patton, MS, OTR/L ABOUT ME Graduated Cal Poly SLO in 2014 with BS in Child Development and minor in Psychology Graduated Washington University in St.