Occupational Therapists :: Job Description

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Occupational Therapists

Careers / Occupational Therapists

Summary Description


	Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assistive Technology Trainer

2.	Early Intervention Occupational Therapist

3.	Independent Living Specialist

4.	Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant

5.	Industrial Therapist

6.	Job Trainer

7.	Occupational Therapist (OT)

8.	Occupational Therapy Co-Director

9.	Pediatric Occupational Therapist

10.	Registered Occupational Therapist

11.	Rehabilitation Engineer

12.	Rehabilitation Supervisor

13.	Staff Occupational Therapist

14.	Staff Therapist

15.	Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

16.	Vocational Trainer

Job Tasks

	Complete and maintain necessary records. Record patient medical histories.

	Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients. Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health. Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

	Train caregivers how to provide for the needs of a patient during and after therapy. Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.

	Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress. Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.

	Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems. Design public or employee health programs. Direct healthcare delivery programs.

	Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities. Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.

	Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities. Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

	Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment. Design medical devices or appliances. Fabricate medical devices.

	Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability. Design public or employee health programs.

	Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions. Clean medical equipment or facilities. Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.

	Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps. Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.

	Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.

	Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff. Train medical providers. Supervise patient care personnel.

	Conduct research in occupational therapy. Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

	Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement. Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues.

	Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs. Encourage patients or clients to develop life skills.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Occupational Therapists
	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.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Occupational Therapists
	About half of occupational therapists work in offices of occupational therapy or in hospitals. Others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. Therapists spend a lot of time on their feet while working with patients.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

Only 70% of the total cost of employment in the U.S. goes to pay wages and salaries -- the rest goes to pay benefits and employment taxes.

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