Occupational Therapy (OT) Overview

Since many people are mostly unaware of what Occupational Therapy is, I thought I would provide a brief overview of the profession by answering some common questions.

1. What is Occupational Therapy?

"A form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life." (Google Search) 

Unlike what it initially sounds like, Occupational Therapy is not all about helping people find or maintain jobs. In fact, occupation is just another word for activity. It is a fundamental concept in OT that individuals will be more motivated to attend therapy and complete a HEP (Home Exercise Program) if therapy includes functional and meaningful activities as opposed to repetitive and/or boring tasks.     

2. What types of settings does an OT work in?

An OT can work in many types of settings including inpatient/outpatient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), schools, clinics (public and independent), communities, health centers, psychiatric facilities, etc. 

3. What populations do OT's work with?

OT's work with diverse client populations including pediatrics, geriatrics, adult rehabilitation, mental health including dementia and psychiatric conditions, hand therapy, vision rehabilitation, driving rehabilitation, sensory processing disorders, etc. 

4. What type of education do you need to become an OT?

In order to become an occupational therapist you must graduate with a Master's from an ACOTE-accredited program. There are many schools available which provide occupational therapy degrees, some include just a Master's program, and some which include a combined baccalaureate/master's program. I have provided a link below to AOTA's website which provides a list of accredited universities. I would suggest researching each program, as not all programs are created equal. I think one of the most important parts of my education were the 4 fieldwork experiences I had through my university. I had 2-level 1 fieldworks and 2-level II fieldworks. My level 1 fieldworks were shorter and less intensive, encompassing about 10 hours per week. My level 2 fieldworks were each 40 hours per week, where I was expected to be at the level of an entry level practitioner by the end of the fieldwork. These experiences were very helpful at bridging the gap between school/theory and real world occupational therapy practice.     

http://www.aota.org/en/Education-Careers/Find-School/AccreditEntryLevel/OTMasters.aspx   

5. What do you do after graduation?

After graduation, you must begin the process of registering to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). This can be done by visiting www.nbcot.org. This website will walk you through the process of registering for the exam. I would suggest beginning the process soon after graduating, as it often takes a month or so before you are actually eligible to sit for the test. Once you apply and are in the process of waiting, you will begin to study (if you haven't already). This process can taken anywhere from 1-3 months, depending on how much time you spend per day. I began studying the middle of January 2014, and ended up taking the test the end of February 2014. I studied with another OT student I had worked with during college; we met about 3 times, once per week which helped keep me on schedule. My study sessions were based on the TherapyEd book by Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy which can be purchased through: http://www.therapyed.com/nbcotstudyguide.htm 

My studying was very sporadic at first, usually 1-2 hours per day, and I took many days off. The last two weeks before the test I studied about 8 hours per day, took countless practice exams and likely overdid the studying process, but hey, I'm intense!  

After taking the NBCOT you will wait about 1 week to get your online results of pass/fail. You can now begin the licensure process. You will have to have your scores sent to each state you intend to be licensed in, and yes, you will have to pay for each separately. Licensing can be a lengthy process, 1-3 months is not uncommon. Each state has its own process, so you will need to visit the website of the state you intend to be licensed in, and it will walk you through the process. Check the state's website often after all your paperwork is received, it is likely you will be licensed on the state website before receiving your hard copy in the mail.