How to Become an Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who specialize in working with individuals facing challenges and who desire to live independently. Whether working with those injured or assisting those with cognitive disabilities, occupational therapists must be empathetic and compassionate professionals who have a deep desire to help those around them.

Knowing how to become an occupational therapist can help you begin a career in this rewarding and fulfilling healthcare profession.

The Role of an Occupational Therapist

There are tasks that many people perform throughout their daily lives that they take for granted. Something as simple as tying their own shoes or preparing a meal may seem mundane to most people, but to those faced with physical or cognitive disabilities, they can be strenuous tasks that they are unable to perform on their own. Occupational therapists, however, are specialized healthcare professionals who work specifically with those who need help living independent and successful lives, often filling some of the gaps within the current healthcare system.

Key Responsibilities

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the key responsibilities of an occupational therapist include:

• Evaluating their patients based on their medical history.
• Observing their patients to determine their current abilities.
• Creating a treatment plan that helps patients learn how to perform the daily activities in their lives.
• Providing suggestions about how a patient's home, school or work environment can be improved to better accommodate their needs.
• Educating caregivers and connecting patients with resources that will help them.
• Making recommendations for specialized equipment that a client may need to accomplish their goals.

Work Environments

Occupational therapists practice in a wide range of environments due to the fact that they often work directly with their patients in the places where they live, work and study. Occupational therapists primarily work in offices or hospitals, but they also meet with patients in their homes, at their schools, at their places of employment or in public settings where they take care of their daily business.

Educational Requirements for Becoming an Occupational Therapist

Before you can begin practicing as an occupational therapist, you will have to invest in your education. An occupational therapist will need both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree to work directly with patients.

Bachelor’s Degree

While the occupational therapy field does not require students to pursue a bachelor's degree in a specific subject area, some degree programs are better for those who want to become an occupational therapist. The BLS notes that graduate degree programs for occupational therapy often favor candidates who have a bachelor's degree in biology or psychology.

Master’s or Doctoral Program

A graduate degree is required to become licensed to practice as an occupational therapist. A master's degree in occupational therapy will take at least two years to complete, with coursework focusing on a variety of topics, such as neuroscience and anatomy. In addition to the required coursework, students in an occupational therapy master's degree program must complete clinical requirements before graduating.

Licensing and Certification

Occupational therapists are required to be licensed and certified in all 50 states, and most occupational therapists apply for state licensure and national certification after earning their graduate degree in occupational therapy.

National Board Certification

While some licensing requirements may vary based on the state, all states require occupational therapists to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam, commonly known as the NBCOT exam. To take the exam, a candidate must have earned an accredited occupational therapy graduate degree program and have completed field experience.

State Licensure

Individual states regulate the practice of occupational therapy, requiring all occupational therapists to become licensed in the state where they intend to practice. State licensure is a separate process from passing the NBCOT exam.

Specializations and Career Development

Occupational therapists who want to advance their careers and specialize in a niche area of occupational therapy will find certification programs available. Knowing the various available specialty areas can help you explore your own interests within occupational therapy and determine the right path forward for your career.

Advanced Specializations

Some of the advanced specializations within the field include:

• Driving and community mobility – This specialty area focuses on increasing independence by working on driving skills and connecting patients with community mobility resources.
• Environmental modification – This specialty area focuses on the techniques and strategies required to make recommendations for environmental modifications for individuals.
• Feeding, eating and swallowing – This specialty area focuses on the physical and occupational therapy techniques required to improve feeding, eating and swallowing skills.
• Low vision – This specialty focuses on helping patients who suffer from low vision, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed for independent living.
• School systems – This specialty area focuses on occupational therapy services within school systems and is ideal for occupational therapists who want to work with the youth population.

Continuing Education

To pursue a specialty area, you may need to become certified. Certification programs are available through the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Career Outlook for Occupational Therapists

The overall career outlook for occupational therapists is positive, with the BLS noting that changes in the existing workforce will heighten demand for qualified and experienced occupational therapy professionals.

Job Demand

The occupational therapy field is expected to grow by about 11 percent between 2023 and 2033, with more than 9,800 job opportunities expected each year over the course of the next decade.

Salary Expectations

While your earning potential will vary based on the position that you acquire, the BLS notes that the median annual salary for occupational therapists is about $96,000. The lowest 10 percent of occupational therapists earn about $62,000 per year, while the highest 10 percent earn about $129,000 per year.

Final Thoughts on Becoming an Occupational Therapist

Becoming an occupational therapist provides you with an opportunity to pursue a rewarding and lucrative healthcare career, one in which you can work closely with your patients and have a direct impact on their quality of life. It is the ideal career opportunity for passionate and empathetic individuals who enjoy working with people of all ages and abilities.

Learn How to Become an Occupational Therapist at Nebraska Methodist College

At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), the Master of Occupational Therapy is designed for students passionate about patient-centered healthcare and who want to develop the advanced skills required to ensure that all people can achieve a high quality of life, regardless of the challenges that they are faced with. The curriculum prioritizes clinical skill development while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based care in occupational therapy.

Request more information about our healthcare degree programs today.