OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

A CAREER GUIDE

CHRISTINE BARBOUR & TYLER CARTER

DEFINITION WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

Occupational therapy is a health care profession whose goal is to enable people to live a fulfilled life. To an occupational therapist, a fulfilled life means engaging in the activities that a person wants and needs to; r-egardless of what injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or environments stand in the way. Those everyday social activities are considered “occupations”. These are the building blocks of physical, psychological, and emotional health. Occupational therapists help people to perform, modify, or adapt their skills and activities in order to live healthier, happier, and more productive lives.

It’s about What matters

to you Not

What's the matter with

you

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IS THIS THE CAREER FOR YOU? YOU DECIDE!

1

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

2

WAIT! WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY VS. PHYSICAL THERAPY

3

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS BECOME CERTIFIED IN WASHINGTON

4-5

STATE OF THE FIELD WAGES, PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

6

COMMON DUTIES & TASKS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO EVERY DAY

7

KEYS TO SUCCESS HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS FIELD

8

INTERVIEW WITH AN O.T. HEAR WHAT AN OT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE CAREER

9

RELATED FIELDS CAREERS SIMILAR TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

10-11

REFERENCES/RESOURCES WORKS CITED & RESOURCES

12

2

IS THIS THE CAREER FOR YOU? YOU DECIDE!

1

2

WAIT! WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? PHYSICAL THERAPY VS. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

◊ Treat a patient's actual impairment◊ Attempt to improve impairment by increasing mobility, aligning bones and joints, or lessening pain

◊ Treat a patient's impairment in action◊ Help a patient complete necessary every day tasks with the impairment

Hardworking professionals who keep their patients on the path toward recovery

3

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS BECOME CERTIFIED IN WASHINGTON

Graduate with an Occupational Therapy Degree

◊ Complete degree program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association with Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Prepare to study curricula such as

◊ Anatomy and physiology ◊ Occupational Therapy Principles ◊ Human Occupation Throughout the Lifespan

◊ Kinesiology and Biomechanics ◊ Psychopathology ◊ Therapeutic Media, Materials and Processes ◊ Interpersonal and Inter-professional Communication

Complete an internship

◊ Firsthand clinical experience required prior to licensing ◊ Usually acquired through internships facilitated by the OT department within your university

Pass National Certification Exam

◊ Prerequisite for state licensing ◊ Must take the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam

Attain a State License

◊ Submit application for licensure ◊ Request verification of passing the OTR exam from the Nat’l Board of Certification in OT ◊ Provide transcripts verifying your required education

Maintain licensure

◊ Pay renewal fee to renew license ◊ Complete 36+ hours of continuing education during current licensure period to qualify for license renewal

4

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D.) BECOME CERTIFIED IN WASHINGTON

Occupational Therapy Schools in Washington

Eastern Washington University Spokane

◊ Offers educational programs at the Master's level in Occupational Therapy ◊ Classes conducted both in the community and at the new Health Sciences Building downtown

The University of Puget Sound Tacoma

◊ Offers educational programs at the Master's level both for students seeking to become an Occupational Therapist, as well as for OTs who are seeking a post-professional degree

The University of Washington Seattle

◊ Offers an educational program at the Master's level for the student seeking to become an Occupational Therapist ◊ Also offered is a PhD in Rehabilitation Science for OTs seeking a post-professional degree to prepare them to become researchers or educators in the field

5

STATE OF THE FIELD WAGES, PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

WAGES

PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

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2014 SALARY OT SALARY [NATIONALLY] Top 10% Wage $112,900 Median Wage $78,800 Bottom 10% Wage $52,700 Washington Wage $89,000

FROM 2014 TO 2024 (# OF JOBS INCREASE)

From 114,600 to 145,100

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Occupational Therapist6

COMMON DUTIES & TASKS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO EVERY DAY

REVIEW PATIENT’S MEDICAL HISTORY Ask patients questions, observe them doing tasks EVALUATE PATIENT’S CONDITIONS AND NEEDS

Observe what tools or treatment the patient may need for their condition DEVELOP TREATMENT PLANS FOR PATIENTS Identify specific goals and types of activities that will help the patient work toward recovery HELP PATIENTS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF DISABILITIES Teach patients how to get dressed, bathe themselves, and use the restroom DEMONSTRATE EXERCISES Teach exercises that can help relieve pain in people with chronic conditions EVALUATE PATIENT’S HOME OR WORKPLACE On the basis of health needs, identify potential improvements to make healing more attainable EDUCATE PATIENT’S FAMILY/EMPLOYER Teach them how to accommodate and care for the patient RECOMMEND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT Wheelchairs, eating aids, reaching equipment; instruct patients how to use this equipment

ASSESS AND RECORD PATIENT

Record the activities and progress of a patient for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers

7

KEYS TO SUCCESS HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE FIELD

COMMUNICATION SKILLS OT’s must able to listen attentively to what patients say and be able to explain what they want their patients to do. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OT’s spend their time teaching and explaining therapies to patients. The ability to earn the trust and respect of those patients and their families is a must. WRITING SKILLS When communicating in writing with other members of the patient’s medical team, occupational therapists must be able to explain clearly the treatment plan for the patient and any progress made by the patient. COMPASSION This profession requires a desire to help people and improve their daily lives. Therapists must be sensitive to a patients’ needs, especially when assisting the patient with personal activities. FLEXIBILITY The ability to be flexible when treating patients is key. Not every type of therapy will work for each patient. You may need to be creative when determining the treatment plans that best suit each patient’s needs. PATIENCE Dealing with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities is frustrating for many people. Patience is necessary in order to provide quality care to the people they serve.

8

What’s your official job title and qualifications?

Stefanie Peacock has been an Occupational Therapist for the past 5 years. Stefanie currently works at Lourdes as the sole Occupational Therapist provider. Earning her Undergraduate at OSU and her Graduate degree at Pacific University, she is well educated in her field.

Why do you get up every morning and keep coming back to work?

Every morning Stefanie gets out of bed because she feels like going to work makes a difference in other people’s lives and she wants to make an impact. Being the only Occupational Therapist at Lourdes, it is up to her to provide care to all patients at the hospital.

What is your work schedule like?

Stefanie works Monday-Friday from 7am to 5 or 6 pm depending the number of patients that she works with. Working two weekends a month means that she may work up to 13 days straight without a day off. She often finds that she works beyond scheduled hours, either earlier in the morning or into the evening.

How have advances in technology changed your job?

Changes in technology constantly alter the job. As there are advances in medical technology such as prosthetics, patients can recover quicker. Medical technology allows for quick recovery which demands knowing how to use a large range of equipment. It allows for greater specialization of Occupational Therapists who work with more specific application of more precise equipment.

How do you deal with the emotional strain of the job? Does it discourage or motivate you knowing that many of your patients have life-long aliments?

The emotional strain of Stefanie’s job motivates her. Though she admits that it is hard at times to deal with seeing the frustration in her patients, and the sadness that she experiences knowing that some very nice people are suffering quite traumatic occurrences in their lives, it helps her to get through the day knowing that she is making a positive difference in their lives and helping them to achieve their goals.

“Take applicable classes, job shadow, visit hospitals, and explore different specialties… Do your research and make sure it’s what you want to do.”

INTERVIEW WITH AN O.T. HEAR WHAT AN OT HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE CAREER

STEFANIE PEACOCK, OTR/L

OUR LADY OF LOURDES, PASCO, WA

“I went to undergraduate at Oregon State. I did all the prerequisites through Exercise and Sport Science… I have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.”

“I just feel like OT is a lot more fun!” 9

10

RELATED FIELDS CAREERS SIMILAR TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

OT ASSISTANT

Job Duties Education

Help patient’s recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Directly involved in providing therapy

Specialized AA Degree

ATHLETIC TRAINER

Job Duties Education

Specialize in preventing and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses

Bachelor’s Degree

SKILLED NURSING (LPN)

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Job Duties Education

Assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication disorders in patients

Master’s Degree

Job Duties Education

Monitor patients’ health, administer basic patient care, provide basic comfort to patients, and keep records on patients’ health

Postsecondary Non-degree Award

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RELATED FIELDS (CONT’D.) CAREERS SIMILAR TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

WAGES

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SALARIES (2014) SALARIES [NATIONALLY] OT Assistants $52,300 Athletic Trainers $43,300 Skilled Nursing $42,500 Speech Pathology $71,500

FROM 2014 TO 2024 (# OF JOBS INCREASE) OT Assistants from 33,000 to 41,100 Athletic Trainers from 25,400 to 30,800 Speech Pathology From 135,400 to 164,300

12

REFERENCES/RESOURCES WORKS CITED & RESOURCES

Definition of OT, “About Occupational Therapy”

http://www.aota.org/about-occupational-therapy.aspx#sthash.OljvT5KV.dpuf

History, “A Brief History of Occupational Therapy”

http://www.missouricollege.edu/Student-Life/Blog/December-2014/A-Brief-History-of-Occupational-

Therapy

Supplementary History, “History of AOTA Accreditation”

http://www.aota.org/education-careers/accreditation/overview/history.aspx

Academic Requirements, “How to Become an Occupational Therapist”

http://www.occupationaltherapylicense.org/how-to-become-occupational-therapist.html

Occupational Therapy Schools in WA, “The WA Occupational Therapy Association”

http://www.wota.org/ot-schools

Occupational Therapist Wages, “Pay” tab

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm

Related Fields, “Similar Occupations” tab

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm#tab-8