Work can be a dangerous place. Whether it's the bad ergonomics of being stooped over your desk for decades, or a jackhammer-induced deafness, just about every field has its share of hazards large and small. That's why occupational therapy is a suitable career for individuals who believe that everyone has the right to a healthy and productive life. Professionals in this field work with individuals to overcome or compensate for personal ... obstacles using evidence-based practices, helping their patients adapt to various living and work environments
Every patient is unique, and so is every treatment plan that an occupational therapist creates. Each patient presents a different set of needs, such as a blind child in a mainstream classroom, or a veteran with a severe spinal cord injury. The occupational therapist might help educate the child's teacher on how to modify lesson plans for her impairment; the veteran will need to learn how to use a wheelchair or other adaptive equipment. Aging Baby Boomers are also driving the demand of occupational therapists, who may arrange for driver rehabilitation training, remove fall hazards in their homes, and set alarms and systems for them to remember their medicine—anything to keep the elderly independent and functioning at their best.
A master's degree is currently the minimum requirement to become a licensed Occupational Therapist through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Certification. Degrees in Occupational Therapy or Occupational Science draw from evidence-based methodology to teach students how to work with different populations of patients. Students will learn about theories, policy development, research, and fieldwork as well as the latest solutions in technology, behavioral therapy, and interventions.
The field of Occupational Therapy is expected to grow much faster than average, especially in the area of elderly care. The area of home health care services employs a large number of these professionals.
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