Occupational Therapist

Job overview
Occupational therapists treat people through active participation in purposeful activities, in order to enable them to regain health, return to their community and enjoy life.

Theirs is an exciting and challenging profession because each patient has individual requirements and the treatment needs to change as the patient progresses.

What do people do in this job?
Occupational therapists are members of health teams that enable people to function within their physical, psychological and social limitations and to regain or maintain their maximum potential.

They use a problem-solving approach by first scientifically assessing patients' physical and mental abilities.

In this way they identify problems which may affect the way in which patients are able to care for themselves, hold down a job or attend school, participate in games or sport and use their leisure time.

A treatment plan is specifically designed for patients, taking into account their individual needs and backgrounds.

Activities are chosen which have the potential for helping patients reach predetermined treatment objectives.

Patients thus contribute to their own recovery by becoming actively involved.

In the case of permanent disability, patients are taught how to use their remaining skills.

Occupational therapists make suggestions with regard to adaptations to patients' living and working environments or provide them with adapted devices, to enable them to function more independently.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Occupational therapists must enjoy working with people and have a desire to help others.

They must also be willing to get involved with people with disabilities.

They must have original ideas, be creative and able to solve problems, work independently and have a sense of humour.

What qualifications are needed?
Normally a degree in psychology, preferably supplemented by postgraduate studies.