Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Association canadienne des ergothrapeutes

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Occupational Therapy
A unique career choice
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What is occupational therapy?

• Occupational therapists work with people of all
  ages, helping them to carry out the activities
  that they need or want to do to lead healthy and
  fulfilling lives.
• There are over 28,000 occupational therapists in
  the UK. They work in
• hospitals
• community
• schools
• charities
• prisons
• commercial organisations

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Occupational therapy in action

• Michael , an OT runs a five-week programme for
  alcoholism.
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• This programme
• Demonstrates the affects of drinking
• Teaches anxiety management techniques
• Improves communication skills
• Michael helps people to feel in control of their
  lives to overcome their drink dependency.

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Occupational therapy is a rewarding career
You can make a real difference to peoples lives
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Great prospects

• An experienced occupational therapist earns
  up to 40,000
• A consultant occupational therapist earns
  55,000
• An independent practitioner earns a
• lot more

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OTs can choose different roles

• Practitioner
• Manager
• Consultant
• Lecturer
• Researcher

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OTs work in different settings

• NHS hospitals
• Social Services
• Disabled living centres
• Equipment companies
• Government agencies
• Housing departments
• Local community services
• Private hospitals
• Schools and universities
• Wheelchair services
• Hostels for the homeless
• Charities and voluntary organisations
• Residential care homes

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What Jo says about her OT role Learning
Disability Community Team
  "My job is really challenging. I genuinely love
it. I am so lucky to work with a great team, and
to have so many wonderful patients. It is so
rewarding to work together in achieving goals
that enable patients to lead independent and
fulfilling lives.
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What Barry says about his OT role Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Agency
Its really great when we tell people they can
drive again thanks to our work. This gives them a
huge part of their life back, and gives them
freedom without relying on other people Working
as an occupational therapist is about providing
support in all areas of a person's life. It's a
very flexible career option.
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What Denise says about her OT role Hospital OT
Occupational therapy enables me to work with
many people and provides variety. I manage 100
staff, and no two days are the same. After 20
years I'm still excited by the job and never
bored. There are always new things to learn and
develop.
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Train to become an occupational therapist

• Courses are available at 31 universities
• around the UK, including
• Full-time courses - three years for school
  leavers (four years in Scotland)
• Full-time courses - two years for people with a
  first degree
• Four year part-time and/or in-service courses
  for support workers

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Occupational therapy courses

• A varied programme
• Biological sciences (anatomy and physiology)
• Behavioural sciences (psychology and sociology)
• Occupational therapy as a profession
• Creative and management skills, therapeutic
  interventions
• Environmental adaptations
• Research

• 1,000 hours on practice placements, which can
  include
• Physical rehabilitation
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health
• Social care

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Career checklist
Do you enjoy... Helping people? Creative problem
solving? Are you A good communicator? Patient? A
team player? Self-motivated? Do you want a
career which is Challenging? Varied and
interesting?
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If the answer is yes, visit the College of
Occupational Therapists website
www.cot.org.uk/careers