An Occupational Therapist, or OTR, is responsible for providing patients with treatment to help them develop and improve their ability to complete everyday tasks related to their job and daily life. Their duties include performing initial patient assessments, teaching patients to use adaptive technology and coaching them through therapeutic activities.

Occupational Therapist duties and responsibilities

An Occupational Therapist must excel at a variety of duties and responsibilities, such as:

Assessing the patient's physical, communication and cognitive skills to develop a treatment plan
Giving advice and providing support for family members and care givers
Assessing the home. school and work environments of the patient
Installing the necessary equipment in the classroom for children with disabilities and teaching them how to use the equipment
Helping children and adult patients to take part in everyday activities based on their unique circumstances
Assisting patients' exercise for pain relief
Reviewing the patient's progress and adapting the treatment accordingly
Performing administrative tasks such as keeping records, writing reports and making telephone calls

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

Occupational Therapists work at physical therapy clinics, occupational therapy offices, hospitals, assisted living centers and other healthcare environments to evaluate that treat patients struggling with motor skills and cognitive issues. They guide patients through intake and learn about their medical history, including past injuries and conditions that influence their ability to complete everyday tasks. After assessing a client's condition, Occupational Therapist develop muscle memory, sensory feedback and practice performing the tasks they perform at work and home. They create a plan to discharge patients and help them transition back to their life.

Occupational Therapist skills and qualifications

A good Occupational Therapist should have the following skills:

Patience
Empathy and Compassion
Communication and interpersonal skills
Observational and analytical skills
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork skills

Occupational Therapist education and training requirements

Typically, an Occupational Therapist will need a relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Since 2007, all states except Colorado require a professional Occupational Therapist to have at least a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Along with classroom learning, the master's program includes extensive work in hospitals, residential centers, rehabilitation facilities or clinics.
Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but all state require Occupational Therapist to pass the national examination from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. To maintain their certification once an Occupational Therapist is licensed, they need to complete continuing education credits.

Occupational Therapist experience requirements

Occupational Therapists need a minimum of 1 year of recent work experience as an Occupational Therapist. They can earn this experience through work in any setting, but it could be helpful for their experience to line up with the setting in which the job will take place. For example, if the position is for an Occupational Therapist in a hospital, an applicant with experience in home care might not be as competitive as an applicant with experience in a hospital setting.

I understand that any hiring decision is contingent upon my successful completion of all of Philip Health Services, Inc. lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks, which will include a background check. If a am made a conditional offer of employment, I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for Philip Health Services, Inc. to conduct its lawful pre-employment/post-offer checks. Such checks will not be conducted until allowed under applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand if I have a criminal background, it will not automatically disqualify me from employment unless otherwise required by law. I agree to execute any consent forms necessary for Philip Health Services, Inc. to conduct its lawful pre-employment checks.

I also understand that the company is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and has a drug and alcohol testing program consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. I understand that after a conditional offer of employment, I must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.

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