If you want to build a career in the medical field without becoming a doctor or a nurse, then you should consider becoming an occupational therapist. This is a very fulfilling and rewarding career that gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your patients’ lives. In addition, both the intrinsic and financial rewards are very fulfilling. If this sounds like the right career path for you then you need to figure out how to become an occupational therapist.
So what does an occupational therapist do?
Despite its name, an occupational therapist does not work within the workplace environment. Most often, this kind of therapy takes place at home, covering greater areas of life. These professionals employ a range of methods and techniques depending on the specific needs of the patient in order to aid in his/her recovery after an accident or a period of illness. This kind of therapy should not be confused with physiotherapy as it does not only deal with improving the patients’ abilities but also in helping them to cope with their present limitations. As an occupational therapist assistant, you will often assist patients whose ability to work has been impaired to find jobs that best suits their condition.
Mental difficulty is another common area where you can be of great help as a physical therapist. After an accident or a long term illness, a patient can suffer from memory lose, or difficulty in handling simple tasks whether as a result of motor functions or trauma. As a therapy assistant, you will work with these patients using a wide range of techniques that can help them recover their abilities.
The financial rewards of an occupational therapist
The occupational therapy profession has become very popular because most patients prefer less invasive forms of treatment for their injuries or illnesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an occupational therapist salary is in the range of $73000 up to $88000. However, not all industries can provide you with a competitive salary. Therefore, if you want to earn more from your job, then you need to know the right industries to work with. Some of the industries that offer the best pay for occupational therapy professionals include Management, Scientific, Technical Consulting Services and Home Healthcare services as well as the Individual and Family Services Industry.
Training to become an occupational therapist
In order to become an occupational therapist, you need to hold a Master’s level Degree in occupational therapy. The main subject areas for your undergraduate degree can be Liberal arts, biology, anatomy, anthropology, psychology, sociology and human performance. In addition, you must sit and pass a number of certification exams including the National Board Certificate in Occupational Therapy. Once you have started your occupational therapist degree, ensure that you keep yourself updated with all the new theories and technologies that will make your career successful. It is important that you participate in regular lectures, seminars and part time courses in order to refresh your skills and keep abreast with the developments in the industry.
Occupational therapy programs are available at various technical colleges and universities throughout the country. Ideally, you need up to two years of training on top of work experience to become an occupational therapist aide. In universities, occupational therapy degree programs usually take four years to complete. However, additional courses can push the duration to five to six years.
Licensing and certification requirements
Every state has its own specific certification requirements that you should meet before you are licensed to practice. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of your state’s licensure requirements before applying for your practice license. One of the certification exams that you must sit and pass is the National Board Certificate in Occupational Therapy.
Finding the right occupational therapy school
Your dream of becoming an occupational therapist is to a great extent dependent on your choice of the occupational therapy college. Before selecting a college for your occupational therapy training, you need to understand the important things to look for in a college, the type of programs available and the options you have for obtaining your occupational therapist degree.
The most important thing that you need to look for is the college’s accreditation. In other words, the American Occupational Therapy Association must recognize the college. You do not want to spend your time, effort and money pursuing your studies only to realize that your investment is not recognized by the accrediting body.
If you are having a full time job, thus unable to balance your work, family and studies, then you need to find a college that offers online occupational therapy degrees. This will give you the flexibility to study at your convenience and pace. Most occupational therapy schools offer different options for obtaining your training. There are Masters’ level degrees that you must obtain before becoming an occupational therapist. In order to register for these Masters’ programs, you need to have a Bachelors’ Degree in Occupational Therapy or a Bachelors’ Degree in Arts or Sciences.
It is equally important to find a school that has a working arrangement with a medical facility from where you receive hands on training as part of your coursework. This will give you a real life experience whilst pursuing your studies.
If you are looking for a stable career that is gratifying and rewarding, both financially and emotionally, then you need to consider becoming an occupational therapist. Besides the extrinsic rewards, the intrinsic rewards are equally fulfilling, especially when you consider the kind of impact you will be having in people’s lives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there is going to be a continuous growth in demand for occupational therapists. However, before joining this lucrative industry, you need to figure out how to become an occupational therapist.
