Occupational TherapyCareer Choice

Helping people attain their potentialPhotographers (top to bottom): D Brook, J Smith, J Higgins, P Eaton

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists work with people of any age to promote health, prevent disability, and develop or maintain abilities.

They can:

help people learn new ways of doing activities

adapt equipment or materials used every day

make changes to the places people live and work

unique training enables occupational therapists to understand not only the medical and physical limitations of a disability or injury, but also the psycho-social factors that impact on an individual’s ability to participate in the activities that are important to them

(Ref: www.caot.ca website viewed 13/09/07)

Occupation is seen as:

self care-bathing, dressing, shopping, cooking and eating

Photographer: L EastPhotographer: C SmithPhotographer: J Swan

productivity- paid or unpaid work, housework, child's play and school

Photographer: A. Harland Photographer: G Tull Photographer: P Eaton

leisure- hobbies, extracurricular activities, social activities

Photographer: Janet Ivey

Photographer: E Dickinson

Photographer: J Smith

As an OT you may:o Use equipment or technology to enable someone to live

independently after a spinal cord injuryo Consult in schools to help children with writing or

attention skills and learning challengeso Help someone experiencing depression return to the

workplaceo Travel to third world countries to set up rehabilitation

programs

Where does an OT work?

• Occupational therapists are often part of a multi-disciplinary team and work in different settings like hospitals, schools, local community services, universities and workplaces

• Occupational therapists can work in different roles for example as a Manager, Practitioner, Consultant, Lecturer or a Researcher

• Occupational therapists earn competitive salaries, and there are immediate job vacancies in the UK and abroad

Working in Occupational Therapy is…

Rewarding

Photographer: T Tyre

Photographer: E Vachon

Challenging

Photographer: J Atkinson Photographer: C Swift

Diverse

Photographer: T Trye Photographer: J Smith

Photographer: P Eaton

How can you become an OT?

A range of occupational therapy courses are available at 34 universities in the UK, including:

· Full-time courses lasting three years* for school leavers (*four years in Scotland)

· Full-time courses lasting two years for people with a first degree

· Four year part-time

· In-service programmes for Support Workers

Meet some Occupational Therapists

Community Practice

Driving Assessor Hospital

Jo has been an occupational therapist for four years, helping people who have learning difficulties: "My job is really challenging, and I genuinely love it. I am so lucky to work with a great team of people, and to have so many wonderful patients. It is so rewarding to be able to work together in achieving goals that will hopefully enable them to lead independent and rewarding lives.”

JoLearning Disability Community Team

Barry looks at vehicle access and at equipment and techniques to make cars accessible to passengers or drivers.

“It’s really great when we can tell people they can drive again thanks to the work we have done. This gives them a huge part of their life back, and gives them the freedom to go where they want to go without relying on other people

“Working as an occupational therapist is about providing support in all areas of a person's life. It's a very flexible career option.”

BarryDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Denise is the professional head of all occupational therapy staff in a large acute teaching hospital.

“Occupational therapy gives me an opportunity to work with people and provides variety. I manage a staff of about 100 people, and no two days are the same. After 20 years I'm still excited by the job and never bored. There are always new things to learn and develop.

“There's now a need for more occupational therapists, to help people come out of hospital and back into their homes and to people to stay independent in their homes.”

DeniseHospital

• Are you interested in… Biological and behavioural sciences Helping people of various ages Creative problem solving

• Are you…

A good communicator?

Adaptable and flexible?

Self motivated and a team player?

If you’re interested in a career that is: Rewarding

Challenging and

Diverse

Photographer: J Smith

Photographer: T Trye

Then to find out more about

Occupational Therapy

Visit the College of Occupational Therapists’ website www.cot.org.uk

For a Careers’ Handbook, send a self-addressed, stamped (to the value of 80 pence) envelope to:

Careers

College of Occupational Therapists

106-114 Borough High Street

Southwark

London SE1 1LB