About Occupational Therapy Jobs

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are licensed medical professionals who help patients suffering from a mentally, physically, or emotionally disabling condition develop, recover, or maintain the ability to perform day-to-day tasks in their living or working environment. OTs working in occupational therapy jobs work with people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have experienced medical problems, disabilities or other health-related issues that limit their ability to move and/or function both physically and logically in their daily lives.

Occupational Therapy Job Description

Occupational therapists (OTs) help their patients improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, or compensate for permanent loss of function. They develop treatment programs and work with their patients until the desired outcomes are achieved. This can take as little as a few weeks or go on for multiple years depending on the patient’s condition. Occupational therapy jobs are performed by an occupational therapist or a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) working under the guidance of a licensed occupational therapist. OTs may work in permanent full-time positions or work in travel occupational therapy jobs, which are typically 13-month contract assignments.

Occupational Therapist Job Duties

Typical occupational therapy jobs may involve one or more of the following:

• Assisting patients perform various activities needed for work or daily life
• Helping patients increase their strength and dexterity
• Developing or teaching the use of computer programs, specialty equipment or planned activities to improve their patient’s skills
• Assessing their patient’s progress and measuring the effectiveness of treatment

Settings for Occupational Therapy Jobs

Occupational therapy jobs are practiced in a variety of settings including:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Community outpatient centers
• Nursing homes
• Schools
• Private homes

Requirements for Occupational Therapy Jobs

In order to work in an occupational therapist job, a candidate must posses a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. In addition, OTs must pass the national licensure exam and the state exam for where they wish to practice. The same educational and license requirements apply for both permanent and travel occupational therapy jobs. In order to maintain their licenses, OTs must take continuing education courses each year or attend workshops such as the AOTA’s annual conference.

Occupational Therapy Employment

Occupational therapists (OTs) held about 99,000 perm and travel OT jobs in 2006*, although that number is most likely higher due to the number of practicing occupational therapists who hold multiple jobs. Occupational therapist employment is expected to grow 23 percent from 2006 to 2016*, much faster than the average growth for all occupations. This is mainly attributed to a number of factors including:

• The growing number of individuals with disabilities
• The number of baby-boomers entering the target age for strokes and heart attacks
• The advances in medicine that enable more patients with critical problems to survive, although still require therapy

*Source: US Occupational Outlook Handbook

Please visit our occupational therapist jobs page to find out more information about the permanent opportunities or travel OT jobs available at Onward Healthcare or call 1-800-278-0332 to speak with one of our occupational therapy job recruiters.

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