Is OT a Good Career? Insights for Future Therapists

Occupational Therapy Career

So, you're thinking about occupational therapy (OT) for your kiddo? Let's talk about the chops you need to dive into this gig, especially if you're eyeing the role of an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). Knowing what it takes to be a top-notch OTA and having killer communication skills as a therapist can give you a good peek into this fulfilling gig.

Skills Required for OTAs

Occupational therapy assistants hold the line to help folks, especially kiddos, smash their therapeutic goals. It's not just about handing over a list of exercises; it's about developing a super useful toolkit of skills. Programs like St. Catherine’s Online OTA course whip students into shape, cramming loads of learnings into around 16 months St. Catherine University. Here's what you're gonna need:

Table listing soft skills for occupational therapists with creative descriptions: “Thinking Like MacGyver” (crafting personalized plans), “Knowing Your Stuff” (therapy tools expertise), “Team Player Energy” (collaboration with care teams), “Heart on Your Sleeve” (empathy and emotional insight), and “Sherlock Senses” (observing client progress).

For more on what OTAs do and it's more than just handing out Play-Doh take a look at our scoop on what do occupational therapists do.

Communication Skills for Therapists

Got a way with words? Great! Being an ace communicator is the bread and butter for occupational therapists. But it's not all chatter; it's about making that medical mumbo-jumbo accessible to clients, OTAs, and fellow healthcare pros. We're talking verbal and non-verbal vibes, plus being a heck of a listener. Why are these skills a must-have?

Thinking OT sounds like your jam? Folks in this scene often have mad communication skills, patience out the wazoo, and a burning desire to help folks step up their life game Mayo Clinic. To see if OT can give your child a leg up, check out our article on how does ot help with sensory issues

Whether OT is gonna be your child's future playground hinges on getting a grip on the crucial skills, paving the way for them to shine in this career.

Becoming an Occupational Therapist

So you’re looking into becoming an occupational therapist, huh? Well, let's break down what that path looks like and peek into the rosy future that awaits in this field.

Path to Becoming an OT

To call yourself an OT, you’ve gotta hit the books and snag a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. No shortcuts here, you need to do this through a program that's got the official thumbs-up from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Once you’ve got that paper in hand, it's time to tackle the state’s licensing steps, which usually means passing the big OTR exam, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s seal of approval.

Don’t toss out your textbooks just yet, though. Keeping your therapy license means sticking with continuing education each year–think of it as hitting refresh on your skills (Mayo Clinic).

Here’s your checklist to OT-dom:

Table listing the six steps to become an occupational therapist: 1) Bag a Bachelor's Degree in a related field, 2) Snag a Master's Degree from an ACOTE-accredited OT program, 3) Get Fieldwork Experience through internships or rotations, 4) Ace the NBCOT Exam, 5) Nail Down State Licensure by meeting local requirements, and 6) Keep Learning through continuing education.

Job Outlook and Growth

The future’s bright and getting brighter. Occupational therapy jobs are growing at a brisk 11% clip from 2023 to 2033, thanks to more folks who need a hand whether it’s due to disabilities or those seasoned baby boomers dealing with the long haul of chronic stuff (Mayo Clinic, Regis College).

Wanna know what a day in the life of an OT really looks like? Scope out our take on what do occupational therapists do. If it's all about how OTs make a difference, why not dive into what is occupational therapy treatment for, especially to see how they work magic with kids dealing with developmental delays.

Occupational Therapy Salary

Salary Overview

Thinking of diving into occupational therapy and wondering about the paycheck? It's good news, my friend. Occupational therapists (OTs) aren't doing too shabby in the money department. Back when the Earth was a tiny bit younger in May 2024, these folks were pulling down a sweet median wage of around $98,340, at least according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Check out these salary snapshots for OTs:

Table showing average occupational therapy salaries from four sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics – $98,340; Regis College – $96,370; Salary.com – $100,480; Glassdoor – $123,753.

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As you can see, there's a little wiggle room in those numbers. Glassdoor, for instance, was putting the average a little higher at $123,753 for 2024 (OT Potential).

This mix-up comes from a bunch of stuff we're about to dig into.

Factors Affecting OT Salaries

What makes one OT earn more than another? Here are some prime suspects that affect the cash flow:

List of five factors that affect occupational therapist salaries: 1) Location — larger cities often pay more; 2) Experience — seasoned therapists earn more than beginners; 3) Work Setting — hospitals, schools, or private practice each offer different pay; 4) Specialization — expertise in areas like pediatrics or mental health can increase earnings; 5) Education — more degrees and certifications typically lead to higher pay.

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Knowing the playbook here is handy if you're exploring what kind of jobs occupational therapists have or checking if this gig matches up with your money goals. And if you're keen on how occupational therapy might help your kiddo with sensory stuff, you should definitely look into how OT helps with sensory issues.

Role of Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) are like the unsung heroes, jumping in to help kids tackle those tough developmental hurdles. They whip up custom game plans, from getting those tiny motor skills in gear to sorting out all that sensory stuff. Dive in with us to see the magic OTs work in different spaces and how they boost kids back to independence.

Impact and Settings

OTs are like chameleons, popping up in all sorts of places, ready to make a mark with people of every age and story. You might catch them in:

Table showing different places occupational therapists work and their roles: In schools, OTs support children with learning or developmental issues; in hospitals, they assist recovery after injury or surgery; in nursing homes, they help seniors maintain independence; and in home health, they provide therapy customized to clients' home routines.

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Trying to figure out the secret sauce of everyday tasks? OTs are your go-to crew. If your child’s dealing with sensory hiccups or a disability like cerebral palsy, no worries, they’ve got tailored moves up their sleeves. Curious about their playbook? Don’t miss our chat on what do occupational therapists do.

Helping Patients Regain Independence

At the heart of it, occupational therapy is all about getting people back to handling their daily grind like pros. For kids facing developmental speedbumps, OTs bring out all the tricks to help them rock life.

Adaptive Know-How: OTs might introduce handy gadgets and tweaks to ease kids into tasks. They could suggest cool tools like special spoons or change up the classroom setup.

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Skill Sharpening: With fun activities, OTs fine-tune those motor skills, making sure your kid can ace tasks fit for their age.

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Social Boost: OTs help kids figure out the social puzzle, guiding them through social circles with confidence.

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These moves not only level up their skills but amp up their self-esteem and independence, so they’re all set to shine in their communities. Want a sneak peek into a session? Check out our spiel on what happens during an occupational therapy session.

Getting the scoop on how OTs make a difference and help kids find their groove again makes you appreciate their role all the more. If your little one’s hitting a rough patch, the right support can totally turn things around.