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Research on Career: Occupational

Therapy Alaina Belser

Introduction

I have been interested in a career in Occupational Therapy since the end of my freshman year of college when I first shadowed an Occupational Therapist. Since then my passionate for helping people has grown and I have continued to shadow in several different environments including inpatient, outpatient, and pediatrics.

The following slides include information on occupational therapy, O*Net summary for occupational therapists, and information on several graduate programs.

History of Occupational Therapy

In the 1700’s, during the “Age of Enlightenment”, Occupational Therapy began to emerge.

Occupational Therapy was originally known as “Occupational work” and was used to treat mentally ill patients

On March 15, 1917, the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded. Today, this organization is known as the American Occupational Therapy Association.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s until the Great Depression, Occupational Therapy become more closely aligned with organized medicine, thus creating a more “scientific approach” to this field of study.

During the 1960’s, Occupational Therapists were called upon to treat in the fields of pediatrics and developmental disabilities.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Occupational Therapy began to focus more on a person’s quality of life.

Today, occupation is the main focus of the profession. (History of Occupational Therapy)

Occupational Therapy Career Facts

(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Job Description Occupational Therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Growth Potential Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012-2022. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Salary Range The median range for occupational therapists was $75,400 in May 2012. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Entry Level Education

Master’s degree

Work Environments(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Hospitals: state, local, and private 28%

Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists

22%

Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private

12%

Nursing Care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) 9%

Home health care services 9%

Annual Mean Wage, May 2013

(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Employment, May 2013(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

O*Net Profile for Occupational Therapists

Skills- monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations; service orientation

Abilities- deductive and inductive reasoning, problem sensitivity, and written expression

Work Activities- assisting and caring for others, making decisions and solving problems,

Interest Code- SI (Social, Investigative)

O*Net results

My O*Net results indicated that my strongest scores were Social then followed by Investigative which matches up perfectly to the interest code for occupational therapy (SI).

I also connected with the skills, abilities, work styles, and values listed in the O*Net profile for occupational therapists I have good communication, organization, and time management

skills, I enjoy helping others and building relationships with others which are all highlighted as being important for an occupational therapy.

Based on my past experience from shadowing several occupational therapists, I feel like I have developed these valuable skills. Also, by shadowing I have gained first hand experience with the daily work environment for an occupational therapist.

Requirements

Common prerequisites for occupational therapy schools include: anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, lifespan psychology, sociology, and medical terminology Most graduate schools require a B or higher in these classes

Certifications that are required: Basic Life Support and First Aid Certified

Volunteer experience, it it crucial to shadow in several different environments (inpatient, outpatient, school system are some examples)

Most applications are due late summer/ early fall

Medical University of South Carolina

Prerequisites: Anatomy, physiology, statistics, lifespan human development, abnormal psychology, sociology/anthropology, First Aid and CPR certification

Shadow/work experience: 30 hours compulsory References: one from the occupational therapy practitioner who

supervised shadow experience, second and third should be provided by major advisors or professors

GPA: minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale Application deadlines: Early: October 15, regular: January 15,

acceptance: early: December, regular: February/March

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Prerequisites: anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, statistics, human development/behavior, social institutions and systems, modes of reasoning

Shadow/Work Experience: References: 3 references given in the application Statement of purpose: submitted with the online application Application Deadline: available early to mid August, due

December 1st, 2015 for enrollment in the fall of 2016

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Prerequisites: Biology with lab, Human Anatomy/Physiology with lab, physics, abnormal psychology, Lifespan psychology, Statistics, Sociology, Anthropology

GPA: a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale Application deadline: February 1st with

interviews typically held in January or February

James Madison University

Prerequisites: Human anatomy and physiology, anthropology, Physics, Statistics, Lifespan Human Development, Medical terminology, research methods, Abnormal psychology

GPA: overall 3.43 GRE Scores: Verbal 140-159, Quantitative 140-159, Writing 4.04 Shadowing Experience: in at least 2 different environments Application Deadline: December 1st

Conclusion

After researching occupational therapy schools and shadowing in several different environments, I am extremely excited to pursue this career. Shadowing in several different environments from nursing homes to pediatrics has given me an idea of what it is like to in the daily life of an occupational therapist and how each environment is unique. I believe I have gained many valuable skills that will help me excel in the field. I am a good fit because I have a passion for helping others, solving problems, and I work well with others. To prepare for graduate schools, I need to excel in my classes, continue to build teacher relationships, and prep for the GRE. I plan to apply to graduate schools in hopes that I get accepted so I can pursue my passions.

Works Cited

“Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. “Prerequisites -. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, n.d. Web 27 Jan. 2015

“History of Occupational Therapy. “The History of Occupational Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web 25 Jan. 2015

“Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy –Department of Health Sciences. “Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. James Madison University, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.

“Prerequisites.” Prerequisites. Medical University of South Carolina, n.d. Web 27 Jan. 2015

“29-1122.00 –Occupational Therapists.” Occupational Therapists. O*Net Online, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2015

“29-1122 Occupational Therapist.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015

“UAB-SHP-Department of Occupational Therapy– OTCAS.” UAB-SHP- Department of Occupational Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2015