What Occupational Therapists Do
Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Some typical duties for occupational therapists includes observing patients doing tasks, developing a treatment plan for the patients, demonstrating exercises, recording progress of patients, and much more. Some occupational therapists work in mental health setting where they help patients recover from mental illnesses or emotional problems. Also, some occupational therapists work in hospitals next to nurses or doctors who are helping patients recover.
Occupational therapists can work in a lot of different places including hospitals, offices, elementary and secondary schools, nursing care facilities, and home health care services. They have to spend a lot of time on their feet, and they may have to lift or move patients or equipment. Also, occupational therapists may have to work in multiple places and move from one job to another. In 2012, they worked full time. They may have to work nights and weekends due to patients' schedules.
How to Become One
Most occupational therapists start the job with a master's degree in occupational therapy