Description

Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and aging to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Job Titles

• Case manager occupational therapist
• Clinical occupational therapist
• Community occupational therapist
• Occupational therapist (OT)
• Occupational therapy rehabilitation consultant
• Research and development occupational therapist

Main Duties

• Analyse clients’ capabilities and expectations related to life activities through observation, interviews and formal assessments
• Develop intervention programs to address clients’ needs related to self-care, work and leisure activities
• Maintain clients’ records
• Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Consult and advise on health promotion programs to prevent disabilities and to maximize independent function in all activities of life
• May supervise support personnel and students and provide training.

Workplaces

• Health care facilities
• Private and social services agencies
• Schools
• Self-employed

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Evaluation
• Instructing
• Learning and Teaching Strategies
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Fluency of Ideas
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Problem Identification
• Verbal Ability

Personal Attributes

• Adaptability
• Concern for Others
• Independence
• Service Orientation
• Active Learning

Source: OaSIS