So do you want to become a therapist? An occupational therapist will help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives by helping people with a wide range of disabilities improve their daily living and work skills. The field of occupational therapists is growing; predictions are it will increase by 26% in the next 7 years. The median income is over $66,000. If you are a people-type person with good communication skills and patience to spare, keep reading to find out how to become an occupational therapist.
An occupational therapist will customize a set of exercises for a client according to their needs, determined in a meeting with the client and their family and friends, the people who know the client the best. Clients can vary, but can include children and youth, people with mental health issues, aging adults, and people with disabilities or work injuries seeking to rehabilitate themselves. Exercises can vary from improving eye-hand coordination, improving memory or decision making, or even daily tasks such as dressing and eating. An occupational therapist can work in schools, hospitals, client's homes, or a therapy facility and typically work full time. Therapy has goals, but they can be changing and altering. As a client improves, their goals are raised or the focus can shift.
How can one become a therapist? It does require a master's degree, but you will learn so much through related areas. In order to sit for the national certifying exam, one must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Schools also can offer financial aid options as well to off-set the cost of schooling. Even after completing all of the schooling, and being certified, one has to constantly stay informed. The medical field is always changing with improvements in technology and knowledge every day. Some of these changes could help an occupational therapist as they are assisting their clients in attaining strengths. As the client meets their goals, it is satisfying knowing how much you improved someone's life.
An occupational therapist will customize a set of exercises for a client according to their needs, determined in a meeting with the client and their family and friends, the people who know the client the best. Clients can vary, but can include children and youth, people with mental health issues, aging adults, and people with disabilities or work injuries seeking to rehabilitate themselves. Exercises can vary from improving eye-hand coordination, improving memory or decision making, or even daily tasks such as dressing and eating. An occupational therapist can work in schools, hospitals, client's homes, or a therapy facility and typically work full time. Therapy has goals, but they can be changing and altering. As a client improves, their goals are raised or the focus can shift. How can one become a therapist? It does require a master's degree, but you will learn so much through related areas. In order to sit for the national certifying exam, one must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Schools also can offer financial aid options as well to off-set the cost of schooling. Even after completing all of the schooling, and being certified, one has to constantly stay informed. The medical field is always changing with improvements in technology and knowledge every day. Some of these changes could help an occupational therapist as they are assisting their clients in attaining strengths. As the client meets their goals, it is satisfying knowing how much you improved someone's life.
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