Best Careers 2009: Occupational Therapist Job Description

[AchieveBeyond]

We love your channel. We hope you will also subscribe to our reach for the stars pediatric therapy and autism services channel and view our videos to help spread early intervention health care nationwide. We offer occupational therapy career opportunities throughout the country. We hope you will subscribe to our channel as well!

-Bilinguals Inc. / Achieve Beyond Pediatric Therapy & Autism Services

[marqAKAQ]

Alright I have a question, since becoming an Occupational Therapist requires a Master's degree, what do students do for money while earning their Master's? Like do students usually become an Occupational Therapist Assistant first for experience and to get some extra cash while still studying to become a full on Occupational Therapist?

[Scorpiusgrl]

What do you recommend me? should I pursue Occupational Therapist assistant, which will take me 11 months, or should I go all the way for the Masters. Well, I would personally prefer to have a Master's. NSU is already giving me all the details and I am excited.

[xxNilumxx]

i cant stand kids,  sign me up

[TherapeuticResource]

Makes me want to be an OT

[ajseb]

sorry i meant *senior



[ajseb]

Unfortunately i was not admitted into the program this year. I managed to make it to the interviews, but still did not make it. Can anyone give any advice on what to do now? I am to going to be a junior soon, and am planning to apply again once i graduate. However, i will not anticipate or hope that i will be admitted into kean university's program( as i have it heard it is one of the hardest to become admitted).

[rsharma85]

Im already studying for it...

[HBKdxfan]

@rsharma85 ...is it hard?

[ajseb]

I'm on the occupational therapy track here in kean university nj. So far I have volunteered and observed numerous hours at a rehab center, hand therapy clinic, and soon to be a hospital. The expeirences I've had with both the occupational therapists and patients were absolutely wonderful. I know for sure that this is something I want to do, because I've always love being in the company of others and helping them. I am applying to the program January 21,wish me luck everyone!

[MRmegaMEman]

what type of high school classes are best to take to prepare to be an OT? also, what college major would be best? where do many OT's go for college and then to get their masters?

[ellieotny]

@MRmegaMEman

High school biology & general college prep. courses are good. The college training is an associates degree (2 years) as an occupational therapy assistant, passing a national test to become certified & then applying for a license to practice in the state you live. Often assistants or COTAs earn in the $20G range. Occupational therapists have Master's degrees in occupational therapy, 5-6 years of college for this, pass a national exam & get a license.

[orangebanapple2222]

I'm a junior in high school and was thinking of becoming an occupational therapist.  What colleges in the northeast offer good OT programs?

[ellieotny]

@orangebanapple2222

All of the colleges in the northeast go through a rigorous accreditation to meet national standards. In 2008, US News & World Report ranked Boston University number 1 & (also Boston based) Tufts number 5. New York University ranked number 9 in a 3 way tie with western schools.

[Sh0cKeRR]

In New York working for agencies can pay anywhere between 60-100 per session. Sessions last about half an hour. You can make 160K like my aunt does...after taxes.

[quarry555]

do ots dress and wash people becuase that doesn't appeal to me, but teaching methods to adapt to impairments at home or in the workplace certainly would

[suracs]

@quarry555 I'm not an OT, but I don't think they do. I think they do things like shower 'assessments' and stuff (seeing how a person copes with showering and other daily activities, then suggesting ways to help them).

[quarry555]

I'm interested in studying ot, however, I do believe that not many males work as ots.

[george5120]

@quarry555 Correct. Not many males are in the profession; Plus, the females who do work in OT tend to be beautiful. That means you will have rough competition, both at finding an employer and at finding clients.

[wandabh]

Mental health, geriatrics, physical disabilities, pediatrics...the list goes on...very proud to be one!!! Go PR!!!!

[SPOTonChicago]

I just linked to your video on our Chicago OT/PT/SLP blog. As someone who deals with Occupational Therapists at RehabCare I can tell you first hand they have a great quality of life and a very rewarding career. I'd encourage anyone thinking about it to seriously consider that career.

Let me know if I can answer any questions... between myself and the RehabCare staff we're happy to be an asset.

[coveruplies]

so how do you become one?

[wandabh]

@coveruplies looks at different schools.... master entry level, you have to do a bachelor degree first then apply to the masters it is really rewarding plus is considered a resection proof job

[monchichi52]

I've been interested in this career ever since high school. I was wondering if anyone knows the average salary for OT?

[wandabh]

@monchichi52 depends of your speciality area like pediatrics, mental health the median goes up to 55,000-65,000

[frewcc]

@wandabh 69,000 is the median according to us bureau of labor. pediatrics pays the least. geriatrics, or skilled nursing facilities pay 75,000 as a median. also varies state to state. the median in california is 82,000 as of may 2009. montana is 60,000. etc.

[quarry555]

Am i to understand that occupational therapy is mainly a female pursuit?

[YasmineandTerry]

@quarry555

yes it is but, more and more men are now becoming occupational therapists, i myself am a guy and im studying occupational therapy, its a great profession, and not only helps other but helps me understand more about myself.

[mecm0808]

@quarry555 

[mecm0808]

@ quarry555 para nada, hay hombres y mujeres terapeutas ocupacionales por lo menos en Ecuador

[ijobspro]

very interesting.....good work, mom.

[AdamAdidas909]

I saw one about mental Health issues.....never again though.They like to treat people like they are idiots,and told me nothing I didn't already know.

Psychiatry is another fraud from hell

[xbritaxxx]

am lookin forward to studying Occupational therapy in uni nxt yr..but am having difficulties in deciding..can you please tell me if it is a demanding course....does it requires so much work????

[Likklept]

I just graduated OT school and took and passed my boards......The program is demanding, but very much doable......I think it is the best job out there......OTs ROCK....:-)

[emmielottie]

i am a 3rd year occupational therapy student at coventry in england. the course is very very demanding and required 100% dedication

[greenpokerchip]

@emmielottie hahah same here, im an o.t intern from the philippines. stressed out but its all good =)

[reflectxservices]

My company staffs occupational therapists - check us out!

[karbauskaitelina]

thank you for this video. its nice that OT can help all people which need help

[shaundanial]

in the nutshell .... PT teach people to walk ... OT teach people to DANCE (ref) and enjoy life (even without the legs) ....

[jdugena]

@shaundanial really??? wow!

[XxClairesyxX]

OT student - UCC! Not Just basket Weavers!!!! :)

[XxMusashiYamatoxX]

hey thanks a lot.

[x50ftQueenie]

Hey XxClairesyxX, I'm an OT student in UCC aswell haha! :)

[eunieGMB]

i finished occupational therapy in the philippines and currently taking my upgrade here in canada... great video!

[dfm80]

Hi was thinking of undertaking the OT course in Australia, but what do you mean by upgrade in Canada? I would love to involve some study in Canada!

[bossladiie1]

there are about 3 to 4 different school here in my area no one offers occup therapy just physical. where can i find O/T  at...

[dorobistas]

I'm an OT Student here in Manila :) GO OT

[XxMusashiYamatoxX]

hey can you please let me know more about OT? Like what differs between OT and Physiotherapy. Thanks alot for your help.

[XxClairesyxX]

Occupational therapy works towards a funtional goal e.g. getting back into the work place or specific leisure pursuits for people with Physical, mental or intellectual difficulties. Physiotherapy just look at physical disabilities, and is less funtional in nature...they look more at range of motion and so on. Also, OT focuse on upper limb function while Physio is primiarily lower limb. i.e. for splinting. Hope that helps.

[kvn385]

The description of video just mentions physical disabilities don't leave out mental disabilities- a big part of OT

[gmkyK3]

I'm studying OT in Latvia, I'm going to graduate next year! :) This video is a good way how to tell to society what is OT!!!

[cutereggy]

i'm occupational therapist from malaysia..i like this video....!!

[Thr33RENGZ]

how much does this pay

[swatus]

@ Thr33RENGZ

$61,300 to $73,400/a year

[kiwi4skippy]

Professional marketers can make money with any program.

We focus on training those with improper knowledge and

training about how to market effectively.

[yoguey]

what exactly is your profession?

is that marketing? and do you teach OTs?

[hugler34]

iam ot student  in University of perpectual help binan laguna here in d phil 4th yr nice video.and ima also proud because we are accredited in Wfot known as world federation occupational therapy

[porbidaman]

I'm an OT here in Cebu, Philippines. Luv that video

[TheCrosswind]

Good Video & Info!

Trying to find out more info on OT. This is a helpful start

[LolaMay2009]

i am going too study this in abut 6 months cant wait! :D

[medicareer]

I will post this good video on our website -medicareer com au- .

Thanks

[13184272]

I'M 7 months away from being a qualified OT and i can definitely say i have chosen the right career path!

[louizeja]

i'm an OT here in the philippines but still under licensed, i worked in SPED school & it was a great experience.. right now i want to work in a hospital setting..

[finallyphd]

This is a good video. Thanks for uploading it. I am completing a Masters program in OT in Australia. This profession is gratifying and I am glad to be an OT :)

[Hamigos]

This is a good thumbnail sketch of OT practice however a key area, mental health, was overlooked. OTs work directly in mental health practice and we also ensure we consider the impact of impairment and disability on mental health with every client population. Not being able to do what you used to do can lead to frustration, anger and ultimately depression.

[calmd0wndearest]

i think you make a really good point. i also work in MH. I do this in the UK. i went to a conference today and met a Dr in OT who gave a really excellent presentation which included saying only 8% of US OT's work in MH - maybe that is why it was not mentioned

[boywunder343]

@Hamigos hi hamigos...maybe you can advise me...i am coming to the states from canada to work as an occupational therapist and i specialize in mental health...but there does not seem to be much demand for mental health o.t.'s in the states..esp as a travelling therapist? please advise if possible?

[xemilyxbearx]

good video!

[blackayumi]

I want to be occupational therapist!