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Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapy is a health profession concerned with the physical and psychological rehabilitation of individuals who suffer from injury or illness, or from emotional, mental or developmental problems. In occupational therapy, rehabilitation employs the use of educational, vocational and recreational activities or "occupations". There are two career classifications in occupational therapy: occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapists work with patients who have mental and emotional, as well as physical disabilities, helping them achieve their maximum level of independent living skills. These patients have difficulty coping with tasks of daily living and are impaired by such things as developmental deficits, the aging process, poverty and cultural differences, physical injury or illness, and psychological and social disabilities. Through careful observation and evaluation, the occupational therapist develops a rehabilitation strategy using a variety of manual and creative activities. The occupational therapist attempts to restore a medical patient's health, independence, and self-reliance by first evaluating the patient's needs and then teaching the patient to understand and compensate for their disability through planned activities and therapies.

By teaching specially designed occupations, the occupational therapist can help a patient restore the mobility and coordination of an injured limb. For the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed, the occupational therapist can create a social environment through group activities that will help the patient experience and adjust to social relationships and interaction. The occupational therapist may also work in keeping the elderly occupied with interesting activities and.hobbies. They perform a variety of tests to evaluate the extent of disability and teach patients skills to assist them in leading an independent lifestyle. Rehabilitation goes much beyond the physical condition of strengthening muscles and nerves. Therapy treatments take into account the patient's lifestyle, theirvalues, interest and personality that makes each individual unique. These skills can be as basic as teaching a patient to eat alone, bathe, dress, write; or as complicated as using a computer, typewriter or running power machinery to enable them to be financially self-supporting. The occupational therapist bridges the world of medicine and social sciences.

Occupational therapists may have to design and construct special equipment to assist disabled patients, such as designing a tool to help a paraplegic put on shoes and socks. Occupational therapists can specialize in particular areas of rehabilitation such as pediatrics, hand rehabilitation, infant care, stroke rehabilitation and geriatrics. Occupational therapists can also specialize in the area of mental health, assisting mentally retarded patients in becoming more active, independent members of society.

Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for occupational therapists look good throughout the mid-1990's. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, occupational therapy is among the fastest growing health care professions. Occupational therapists work closely with other professional staff including physicians, physical therapists, nurses, social workers and vocational counselors, offering advice and appropriate training as needed. They work in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, physicians' offices, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health and public agencies, extended-care facilities, and private homes, as well as consultants to industry.

Educational Requirements
A four-year baccalaureate degree, an entry-level master's degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate is required. Upon graduation from an accredited occupational therapy program, individuals must complete a national examination to become a certified and/or a licensed therapist. Courses include: human anatomy, physiology, behavioral and biological sciences, humanities, the arts and the application of occupational therapy theory and practice skills.

Educational Programs - Chicago Area