Occupational Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Occupational Therapists help patients who are mentally, emotionally, or physically disabled adjust to handicaps and regain abilities to perform daily living and self-care skills.  They work as part of a team with physicians, counselors, and physical therapists.

Occupational therapists design therapy programs and work closely with patients to observe them, help them, and monitor their progress.  They frequently design special equipment to aid patients and help with their therapy.  They also teach patients how to adjust to work and home life after becoming disabled by injury or illness.  Most occupational therapists are employed at hospitals, and many work at nursing homes.  Some work at schools for the handicapped, rehabilitation centers, or at adult daycare centers.

Average Salary: $26,000-$45,000

Educational Requirements: Students must take the most challenging math, science, and English courses. Must have a bachelors or master’s degree that includes clinical experience in order to be a certified occupational therapist.

Reflection: I think that I would not like to be an occupational therapist because I don’t feel interested in counseling or psychologists which are both in the same field as an occupational therapist.