Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They also help them develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.

Education Requirements for Occupational Therapists

One must earn a master's degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy to work as an occupational therapist. Biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and anatomy are all appropriate college majors for those who ultimately want earn a master's degree in occupational therapy.

On a typical day a Occupational Therapist will:

• assist clients in performing activities of all types;
• use physical exercises to help patients increase strength and dexterity;
• use activities to help patients improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns;
• use computer programs to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills;
• design or make special equipment needed at home or at work;
• develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of their environment;
  

The work environment of a Occupational Therapist:

Most Occupational therapists worked in hospitals. Others worked in offices of other health practitioners, schools, and nursing care facilities. They may work with particular populations, i.e. children, the elderly, or may work in specialized settings, i.e. mental health.