What Is Occupational Therapy?

Seeking a rewarding healthcare career? Want to help others participate in daily activities and progress toward their goals? Then you may consider a career in occupational therapy. There are plenty of specializations available in this broad field, so you can find the niche that most interests you and work with patients of a specific age or with certain medical conditions.

With a better understanding of what occupational therapy is, the key role occupational therapists (OTs) play in society, and how to go about becoming one, you can determine whether this career path may be right for you.

What Does Occupational Therapy Treat?

The field of occupational therapy revolves around the treatment of patients who have mental, physical, or developmental conditions — with the goal of helping these patients develop or recover the skills they need to perform daily tasks and live their lives more independently.

Examples of common conditions or diagnoses treated through occupational therapy include:

• Brain-related conditions, including those related to traumatic brain injuries.
• Skeletal, muscular, or joint conditions.
• Sensory processing disorders.
• Developmental disorders, such as autism.

In occupational therapy, the goal is to assist patients in overcoming obstacles or barriers to their social, emotional, and physical needs.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who leverage their skill sets, knowledge, and expertise to assist patients in overcoming common barriers related to their diagnosis. For example, a pediatric occupational therapist may help a young child diagnosed with autism participate more in school and perform more everyday activities on their own.

Generally speaking, the first step of an occupational therapist's work with a new patient is to communicate with them and their families or caregivers. This can help OTs better understand the patient's needs so they can develop realistic goals and a customized treatment plan.

Then, occupational therapists continue to meet with the patient as needed to implement the treatment plan and begin working toward those goals. Throughout the process, OTs will also evaluate progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan accordingly.

Types of Occupational Therapy

One of the appeals of working in occupational therapy is the various areas of the field in which you can work, depending on where your interests lie. Some of the most common types of occupational therapy include:

Pediatric

What is occupational therapy for kids? With pediatric occupational therapy, OTs work directly with children under the age of 18 (and often much younger) to overcome obstacles related to sensory processing disorders, injuries, and developmental delays and disorders. Pediatric OTs tend to work in schools and specialized clinics helping patients hone skills that may improve their ability to play, learn, and participate in school or other activities.

Neurological

Another common specialization in the field is neurological occupational therapy, which centers on helping patients with brain injuries or other neurological impairments (such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson's disease) overcome challenges and live more independently. Neurological OTs may utilize such treatments as fine motor coordination therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, strength training, and more in this essential line of work.

Geriatric

In geriatric occupational therapy, OTs work specifically with older adults and seniors to overcome barriers that may be preventing these patients from living life independently. Geriatric OTs often work with seniors who may have suffered injuries from a fall or who have memory issues, providing treatments to help them with everyday activities like dressing themselves, bathing, and using the bathroom. Geriatric OTs may also initiate support for fall prevention while offering treatments to improve memory and cognitive skills.

Mental Health

Mental health occupational therapy is an area of the field focused on helping patients with mental health disorders engage in meaningful activities while leading happier lives. These OTs may work with patients who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety — helping them achieve their goals and improve everyday function.

Techniques and Tools in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists rely on numerous treatments, techniques, and tools to provide patients with the best possible care. From adaptive equipment to environmental modifications and beyond, OTs need to know exactly which treatments and methods will be best suited to each unique patient.

Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology

Many OTs use adaptive equipment and assistive technology to help patients carry out everyday activities more easily. For instance, OTs may recommend adaptive utensils for those with disabilities or injuries that prevent them from eating with regular utensils. Meanwhile, other adaptive equipment in the form of mobility aids and even handwriting aids can help patients perform everyday tasks more independently.

Environmental Modifications

In some cases, OTs may even recommend or advocate for certain environmental modifications to be made to support patients living more independently. This could include, for example, the installation of a wheelchair ramp and handrails in a person's home — as well as wider doorways and bathroom modifications for those who use a wheelchair.

Therapeutic Techniques

For many patients, therapeutic techniques (such as exercise) can also help to improve function following an injury or onset of a health condition. OTs may assist patients in performing therapeutic exercises to increase their range of motion, reduce pain, and improve coordination. These techniques might range from motion exercises and strength training to balance training and more, depending on the patient's needs.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy

Working as an occupational therapist can be a highly rewarding career, allowing you to engage with patients from diverse backgrounds to improve their quality of living. A few additional benefits of working as an OT to consider include:

Opportunities for Specialization

No matter where your interests lie, you can choose a specialization within the field that calls to you. If you enjoy working with children, for example, becoming a pediatric occupational therapist may be your calling. With different certifications and niches to choose from, you can discover the area of the field you find most inspiring.

Wide Range of Work Environments

In addition, occupational therapists tend to enjoy being able to work in a variety of different environments, from "traditional" clinical settings to schools, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and even in patients' own homes.

Consistently High Demand

Finally, occupational therapists enjoy a high level of job security. Based on data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for OTs is projected to grow by 11% between 2023 and 2033 alone — which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.

Education Requirements for Occupational Therapists

Interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Here are some key steps to take before you can start working in this field:

Obtain a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists typically need to hold a minimum of a master's degree in occupational therapy. Ideally, you would select a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and may include fieldwork for gaining practical, hands-on experience.

Pass a Certification Exam

Next, you'll need to pass your certification exam that is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon passing this exam, you can apply to be a registered occupational therapist — but it's important to note that you will need to renew your certification every few years as well as maintain a certain number of continuing education hours.

Get Licensed in Your State

Each state sets its own requirements for OT licensing, so be sure to research your state's specific requirements. Generally, you will need to show proof that you have completed a master's degree program in occupational therapy and passed your NBCOT exam. In some states, you may also be required to submit to a background check with fingerprinting, pay a licensing fee, and possibly be certified in CPR and/or basic life support (BLS).

Once you're properly licensed in your state, you may begin practicing as an occupational therapist.

Learn More at Nebraska Methodist College

Working as an occupational therapist gives you the unique opportunity to help patients enhance their overall quality of life and overcome obstacles with a compassionate approach. With a wide range of specializations and work settings to choose from — as well as a growing demand for licensed occupational therapists across the U.S. — now could be a great time to kickstart your career.

Looking for the right occupational therapy degree program to help you take the next steps? Nebraska Methodist College is proud to offer a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree program that can prepare you for the fast-paced work of this dynamic field. Plus, with engaging fieldwork experiences that kick off from the very first semester, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience and practical insights.

Learn more about Nebraska Methodist College's MOT program by contacting us, or get started with your online application for enrollment today.