What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
There is a wide range of experts in the allied health profession. Often, you hear different names and wonder what services they do and if they are the right option for you. Occupational therapy has grown in popularity over the last decade. It can have a positive impact on a patient's quality of life. But what do occupational therapists do?
The Role of An Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists are allied health professionals. Their services aim to treat emotional, developmental, mental, and physical ailments that impact people's daily lives. As health practitioners, OTs work with patients to create individual treatment plans. It's all about helping people live a more independent life. It differs from physical therapy because physical therapists focus on treating and rehabilitating a specific injury, and OT focuses on the whole patient.
For example, following a surgery, a health professional such as a nurse will assist patients with changing dressings and pain management. But an OT will assess a patient's normal activities and show them how to make life easier following surgery. It's about helping people resume the everyday activities that define them. We all have role-defining activities in our lives, whether work-related, artistic endeavours or leisure. Occupational therapists will use those daily activities as a therapeutic tool to help patients build their lives back. That's their role in the industry, but what do occupational therapists do day-to-day?
Occupational Therapist Job Description
OTs take a broad therapeutic approach to a patient's everyday activities. They will help a patient recover, develop, and improve an injury or condition. But they will also help patients build the skills necessary to tackle daily life. What do occupational therapists do in a real-world sense? This will depend on the setting in which an OT works. If an OT is at a private practice, their role will look much different to someone who works in aged care or at care facilities.
The first responsibility an OT has is to evaluate the condition and needs of their patient.
With that background complete, the occupational therapist can develop a treatment plan. This plan will address both the patient's needs and what it will take to achieve their specific goals.
If necessary, an occupational therapist will visit a patient's home or work to determine whether any adaptions will aid the patient's path to independence.
Occupational therapists will train patients and caregivers on how to use any necessary special equipment.
Finally, an OT will assess progress and document their evaluations for reporting and billing.
There is much more to the job. But again, this will depend on the setting in which individual occupational therapists work.
Occupational therapy interventions include:
Neurocognitive disorders
Neurodegenerative diseases
Low vision issues
Traumatic brain injuries
Stroke
Home modifications.
It is also suitable for productive ageing for older adults who live in aged communities.
Additionally, occupational therapy can address chronic conditions, cancer, falls prevention, mobility, mental illness, musculoskeletal disorders, and arthritis conditions.
For example, someone with cerebral palsy would benefit from working on their gross motor skills with an occupational therapist. And someone with multiple sclerosis could benefit from fine motor skills.
Examples of Occupational Therapy
Once an OT achieves a degree in occupational therapy, there are many different ways they can apply it. These examples are an excellent way to explain “what do occupational therapists do?”.
An occupational therapist can work in a classroom environment. The OT helps kids by working alongside teachers and children to develop handwriting skills, use computers, or offer behavioural management strategies. It's about quality assurance and ensuring students have the tools they need to thrive.
Occupational therapists in health care emergency departments work with patients admitted following a traumatic brain injury or stroke. They will assess the patient's cognitive impairment and help them recover with the right treatment.
Occupational therapists have a role to play in mental health as well. In this context, OTs work with people in outpatient programmes. Occupational therapists assist people living with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia to manage their condition, maintain personal care and independence.
Often, occupational therapists work with patients who have experienced injuries following motor vehicle or workplace accidents. They will work with a symptom checker to gain an understanding of what daily activities and tasks the patient may struggle with and build a plan to help them combat the issues.
Occupational therapists work with patients who have experienced mental and physical changes that impact their work abilities. An OT can assist in getting these patients back to work by helping them adapt to how they complete their roles. It may also include making specific changes to the workplace or their job role.
Occupational therapists work with patients to identify and purchase special equipment, whether a safety device in the home or mobility aids. This is particularly important for patients who live with conditions that change their abilities, such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do For Adults?
What do occupational therapists do for an adult patient will depend on the patient? When occupational therapists work with cognitive impairment patients, they may recommend visual scanning training, computerised memory programmes, or gesture training.
If a patient has a motor impairment, an OT may work on repetitive tasks, use virtual reality tools, or muscle vibration. When occupation therapists work with emotional impairment patients, they may recommend behavioural therapy or an exercise programme. As far as helping improve patients’ instrumental activities of daily living, treatments can range from Tai Chi to improve sleep to wheelchair skills and driving simulation training.
There are a vast number of potential treatment options available to patients when visiting an occupational therapist. It isn't about treating a single issue but rather about treating a whole person to ensure they thrive.
How To Become An Occupational Therapist
Are you curious about what it takes to become an occupational therapist and the job outlook? According to the bureau of labour statistics, occupational therapy Australia has a very strong future growth outlook. Presently, there are almost 23,000 occupational therapists in Australia. Over half of these Australian health practitioners work full-time.
At the bare minimum, you need a degree from an accredited institution, as approved by the national board for certification. More specifically, a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree in occupational therapy is more useful. The majority of Australian Occupational Therapists enter the industry with a master’s degree. However, some opt to pursue doctoral degrees.
Once you complete your degree, you need to receive your certification in occupational therapy. This is achieved by sitting the national exam. Requirements vary from state to state, but the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy is required across the country. Specialities can be in mental health, physical rehabilitation, hand therapy, gerontology, low vision, paediatrics, environmental modification, school systems, driving and community mobility, feeding, eating and swallowing. Alternatively, you can seek an occupational therapist assistant’s certification from the occupational therapy association.
What It Takes To Be An Occupational Therapist
Certain key skills will aid occupational therapists. OTs come from different backgrounds, but many qualities and skills lend themselves to the professional. An empathetic, compassionate attitude is crucial. OTs have to keep their patient's best interests at heart.
Problem-Solving
OTs will deal with a variety of cases; they are rarely the same. This means problem-solving skills are a necessity to conclude the best treatment for each situation.
Communication Skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary to meet the patient's needs and ensure they understand the treatment. This is also a necessity for documenting treatment plans and tracking progress.
Flexibility and Patience
It can be a long road for patients looking to restore their independence. Their OT needs to be flexible and patient because there will be a lot of low points before they hit their highs.
The OTs at our practice have all the above qualities, and so much more, allowing us to provide our clients with the best care available. Get in touch today if you want to know more.