Occupational Therapist Job Description

The job of an occupational therapist entails helping clients with physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities cope with everyday living. These therapists also coach their clients to perform their daily tasks without taking help and leading a life of self-reliance. This allied health career is now becoming a very fulfilling and lucrative career in occupational therapy and is on the rise. As Mother Teresa once stated, 'It is a kingly act to assist the fallen' and keeping those words alive, occupational therapists provide support to those in their care. They help people establish and maintain processes which make it possible for them to lead productive and responsible lives. Improving motor skills and social skills of the people they care for, are some of the major contributions of an occupational therapists.

School Based Occupational Therapist

In a school, setting an occupational therapist will need to evaluate students and design developmental programs for their rehabilitation. The disability can be physical, emotional or developmental wherein the therapist needs to maintain records of procedures, progress and also needs to have an action plan for the future. Students face many challenges these days and having a therapist at school is beneficial for the school authorities as well as the students. A few tasks that will have to be undertaken by school occupational therapists are screening the students and identifying students who might need assistance or are suffering with dyslexia. Planning educational programs to better suit the students needs and capabilities as the federal law mandates that therapy should be educationally relevant. Timely and frequent evaluation of the students to check on their progress and if the action plan is working, if not then reevaluating the course of action is required. Some occupational therapists will even design and develop aids that will assist students with ADHD. Manage therapeutic interventions for students to help them better cope with their emotional weaknesses and to get them around social barriers are some of the key attributes when talking about the job description of occupational therapist. These therapist help students tackle their individualized education program assisting them in getting to their educational targets. The salary ranges between USD 44,000 to USD 57,000 annually.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

These therapists work with children in improving their cognitive functions, movements and teach them some basic social skills. Therapists who have undergone specific child psychiatry programs and degrees do well in pediatric settings. Occupational therapy for children is developing processes that will help the kids get around neuromuscular problems and become independent in things like dressing up, wearing shoes and care for basic hygiene. Working with kids is not easy and the treatment process needs to be incorporated in games and fun activities so that the children don't think of it as a menial task. They will sometimes need to develop special aids to help children who have spinal injuries and orthopedic disabilities. The job also includes devising programs that help the children gear up for educational goals. Many a time, occupational therapists will have an assistant to help them undertake the huge responsibility when it comes to dealing with children and school kids. The occupational therapist assistant job description includes maintaining medical records, progress reports, and filing reports pertaining to individualized therapy. The salary ranges between USD 38,000 to USD 47,000 annually.

Dealing with people with dementia and autism also comes under the occupational therapist job description. People who have qualities like patience and empathy do well in this field, also, those who have a desire to help others, excel as therapists.