Occupational therapy schools

Which types of jobs are available for those interested in occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists use everyday activities to help their patients live fuller and more mobile lives. "Occupations" in this therapy can mean tasks you might find while you travel, attend school or work, perform basic personal hygiene and more.

A day in the life of an occupational therapist includes treatment and goal-setting. You might help a stroke patient improve her left-hand coordination so she can brush her hair on her own, or teach a young victim of an accident a way to push his wheelchair using his stronger side. Working this way, you could treat five to eight patients per day. You'll also be in charge of paperwork, goal management and documentation.

The perks of occupational therapy jobs are the value practitioners provide for patients. By imparting tools and techniques, you can change the day-to-day life and long-term function of individuals every day. Jobs in the industry are growing much faster than average, and healthy wages are another positive aspect of the career.

Physical challenges comprise most of the negatives of the career. As occupational therapists work with patients who may not be able to support their own weight, they often end up lending a hand--or an arm or two--helping patients stand and move about.

Formal training required to work in a career related to occupational therapy

Training to become an occupational therapist begins with a master's degree. If you haven't earned a bachelor's degree yet, consider earning your degree in a relevant field, such as biology, sociology, psychology, liberal arts, anthropology or anatomy, or you could enroll in a combined master's and bachelor's degree program.

Occupational therapy degree programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in order to qualify students for national certification exams. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 150 master's degree programs or combined bachelor's and master's degree programs in the U.S. held this accreditation.

Coursework in typical occupational therapy degree programs may include the following:

• Developmental concepts
• Foundations of kinesiology
• Foundations of neurology
• Psychosocial theory and practice
• Advanced occupational therapy and physical disabilities

The type of training you complete is a determining factor for how long you'll be in school. Most students are in school for five or six years before earning licensure and qualifying for occupational therapy jobs.

The typical career path of someone interested in occupational therapy

Working in occupational therapy careers means taking an interest in the broad scope of your patients' lives. Care and treatment could relate to conditions stemming from stroke, autism, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, obesity and more. Therapies could help patients go back to activities like gardening or yoga, or simple functions like showering or getting out of bed in the morning.

Because of this broad spectrum of cause and care, occupational therapists should be creative, knowledgeable, and determined to learn more over the course of their careers in order to better serve patients.

As the career progresses, some occupational therapists go on to supervisory or administrative positions, while others may specialize in one aspect of care, such as pediatrics, mental health or gerontology. The majority of occupational therapy careers--32,370 in 2009, according to the BLS--are in ambulatory health care services.

Job outlook and salary information for those interested in occupational therapy

Positions for occupational therapists are projected to be in high demand in the coming years. The BLS expects 26,800 new jobs to enter the field nationwide between 2008 and 2018, for a job growth of 26 percent. While many health care careers are expected to grow during that time, opportunities for occupational therapists are projected to see a particularly high boost.

Earnings for occupational therapists vary based on job sector. The BLS reports the following earnings for popular occupational therapist careers nationwide in 2009:

• Ambulatory health care services: $74,680
• Occupational therapist offices: $72,990
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $71,300
• Nursing and residential care facilities: $73,950
• Elementary and secondary schools: $63,190

Occupational therapy degree programs can lead to in-demand positions in occupational therapy. Whether your goal is to work in a nursing home, hospital, school, health care service or a private office, formal training helps you meet the career's requirements.