OT
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Career Description:
- Work with patients who may have physical or mental challenges that impede their ability to manage their daily lives
- Help people regain or learn daily living or work skills needed to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives
- Review patients’ medical charts, meet with patients to evaluate skills and abilities, and set realistic rehabilitation goals
- Write treatment plans, coordinate activities with and train nurses and other healthcare staff in therapy techniques so that they can help with the therapy
- Keep accurate records of patients’ activities and progress
- Concerned with physical abilities as well as with psychological and social factors; help individuals in their home and work settings to adapt and succeed
- Construct adaptive equipment to compensate for patients’ level of function (i.e. splints, wheelchairs, eating utensils, computers)
- May give advice about managing health/injury risks in the workplace
Work Environment:
- Hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation centers
- Patient/client homes
- Mental health centers and Nursing Homes
- Schools; in the workplace
Working Conditions:
- High level of social interaction; work closely with patients and other caregivers
- Must be able to understand patients and make self understood despite some patients’ speech challenges
- Some risk of exposure to diseases
- May work full or part-time; most work full-time; generally work a set schedule
- Must have physical stamina; lifting and standing for long periods of time common
- Generally work inside; may work outside with some patients
Job Outlook:
- Ranked by the U.S. Dept of Labor as one of the top 17 fastest growing occupations
- Over 92,000 OTs employed in U.S.; more than 3,000 work in Massachusetts
- Approximately 43,000 job openings expected nationally between 2004-2014 (new and replacement positions); 34% growth rate
- 130 OT open positions predicted annually in MA through 2008; faster than average growth rate expected through 2012
- Growth could be limited by federal government and insurance reimbursement policies; limited funding may reduce therapy approval and patients may need to choose between physical and occupational therapy service
Career Advancement:
- May specialize in certain patient populations such as pediatrics, gerontology, community-based programs, physical rehabilitation, or mental health
- May develop a specialty practice in assistive technology, adaptive equipment, driver rehabilitation, or hand therapy
- May advance into a management or teaching position
- May open an independent practice; business skills needed
Earnings:
- Nationally, the median wage for OTs is $4,440 per month, $53,280 annually.
- Half of all OTs in the U.S. earn between $3,700 and $5,390 per month or $44,400 and $64,680 annually
- In Massachusetts, average salary for OTs is $4,670 per month or $56,040 annually.
- Half of all OTs in Massachusetts earn between $3,980 and $5,570 per month or $47,760 and $66,840 annually
Salary information is based on data extracted from the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development Career Information System, the Massachusetts Hospital Association “Pulse” website, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary by employer, geographical location, experience and level of education. Salaries in the Boston area are generally higher than stated Massachusetts and National averages.
Education/Training Required:
- In January 2007, a Master’s degree or higher from an accredited occupational therapy program will be required to become an Occupational Therapy Registered (OTR)
- Required fieldwork is necessary in addition to academic preparation (generally six (6) months of clinical rotations under the supervision of a certified OT
Certification/Licensure:
- Must pass National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam
- Massachusetts requires licensure; passing NBCOT exam and paying MA fee required
- Must renew certification every three (3) years
Prerequisite Educational Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Must pass computerized placement exams in Reading, English and Math
- Some schools require Algebra and Biology courses taken within the last 5 years w/ a grade of C or better
Is this career for you?
- Do you have a HS diploma or GED with completed prerequisites?
- Can you pass computerized placement exams for college level math, reading and English?
- Have you or could you successfully complete college Algebra and science courses such as Biology and Anatomy and Physiology?
- Can you work independently and make sound judgments regarding patient care?
- Are you compassionate?
- Are you patient and understanding and can you cope with slow patient progress?
- Do you have the desire to help people?
- Are you interested in “lifetime learning”?
- Are you physically able to stand for long periods of time and lift, push and carry heavy objects/patients?
For more detailed information on this career, please see:
Schools:
Schools for Occupational Therapy-Mass Pulse
