“In therapy, I see myself in the mirror differently.” - Ricky Williams

Therapy refers to the design and application of different treatments and techniques to enable the development, recovery and maintenance of the living skills of people who are suffering from physical, emotional, mental and developmental problems. It is a discipline that focuses on the needs of the patients and their progress. The basic purpose is to enable people live a normal life by imparting life management skills in them as well as by adapting the environment around them. There are many different types of therapies and therapists. The term that encompases all therapists is called Occupational Therapists. They are trained practitioners of Occupational Therapy.

Occupational Therapists work with all age groups and aim to achieve a certain level of independence amongst all patients.

Occupational Therapy is a wise career decision. The growth opportunities in this profession are excellent and the demand for Occupational Therapists is steadily increasing. Not only is this a well paying and respected profession, but it also provides people with the opportunity to help people and impact their lives in a positive manner. Most Occupational Therapists work in hospitals and are employed by other healthcare professionals. Some also work in education related areas such as schools and colleges.

What do Occupational Therapists do?

Occupational Therapists are professionals who use their skills and knowledge to help people who are suffering from physical, mental and developmental problems. They make their lives easier by imparting skills and adapting their environment as per their needs. Their aim is to use this applied science to treat patients who’re suffering from injuries, illnesses and disabilities through the use of everyday activities.

One of the most important jobs of an Occupational Therapist is to observe and understand the goals and needs of the patient. Occupational Therapists have to evaluate their patients based on their observations; therefore it is important for them to observe their patients carefully and minutely.

Another important job that an Occupational Therapist has to perform is to create individual treatment plans for each of their clients. These plans are designed while keeping the needs and the goals of the patient in mind.

Occupational Therapists often recommend and create equipment that would make the lives of their patients easier. For example, for a patient suffering from a spinal problem, a wheelchair can prove to be a major help. Occupational Therapists also teach patients how to use such equipment.

Occupational Therapists constantly assess and record the patient’s activities and behavior. These records help them analyze the changes that have come in the patient since the start of the treatment plan. It is an important task as it helps Occupational Therapists make changes to the plan to make it suit the needs of the patient further.

Evaluating Homes and Workplaces of the patients also forms a big part of the job of an Occupational Therapist. This is a very important task as it makes the lives of the patients so much easier. Occupational Therapists evaluate these places and suggest changes so as to make them easier for the patient to adapt to.

Maintaining equipment and staying in touch with the latest machines and technological developments in the medical field is very important for Occupational Therapists. They should know about the latest developments in the market and make sure that the current machinery is working properly and has no defects.

Occupational Therapists have to constantly motivate and encourage their patients. This is essential as most of the patients are suffering from a low self esteem and a lack of confidence. Encouraging and motivating them in the right manner can help them become more independent and happy.

Occupational Therapists work with different types of patients and perform specific tasks with each one of them. While working with patients suffering from permanent disabilities such as cerebral palsy or spinal cord injuries, they give advice on which equipment to use and suggest equipment that will make eating and drinking easy for the patients. In occupation oriented patients, Occupational Therapists focus on improving the work environment for them and creating employment opportunities. While working with children, they focus on ability evaluation and the ways through which they can modify equipment to suit the needs of disabled children. While working with elderly patients, Occupational Therapists tend to focus more on alleviating health hazards, suggesting appropriate equipment and making sure that they continue to have a social life. When they work with patients suffering from learning disabilities and other mental diseases, the focus is more on imparting skills through which these patients can carry out basic activities on their own. While working with patients who are terminally ill, such as cancer patients, the focus tends to shift on maintaining decorum in their life and giving them hope.

How to become an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists work in a variety of fields such as Healthcare and Education. They plan, organize and participate in rehabilitation based programs that help restore vocational, home making and daily living skills. There are various techniques and methods through which they provide therapy. They assess the needs of each individual patient and choose the method accordingly.

In order to become an Occupational Therapist, it is essential to concentrate on your studies from school itself. Subject like Science, Math and English are important. Once you complete your 10th, you should choose the Science stream and take Psychology as an additional subject and Physics, Chemistry and Biology as your main subjects.

Once you complete your schooling, you should join a graduate course. But before you can pursue the course, you might have to take some entrance exams. Most colleges have their own entrance exams that you need to pass in order to gain admission in them.

After you get through the entrance test, you should pursue an undergraduate course in Occupational Therapy or a related field. This will give you a deeper view of the subject. You can also choose to pursue a Master’s course after you get your Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s course will increase your knowledge base and enable you to get better and higher paying jobs. Make sure that you join a college that is affiliated by the AIOTA (All India Occupational Therapists’ Association).

If your aim is to get into research, you can choose to pursue a PhD in a specific field within Occupational Therapy. If you choose to do a job after you complete your Doctorate then you will get very high salaries and a lot of responsibilities. Once you get your Doctorate, you can choose to do a Post – Doctoral job that will involve teaching and guiding student research. This will help you sustain yourself while doing independent research or while looking for a permanent job.

To become an Occupational Therapist in India, it is necessary to complete a 6 month internship in the subject. You can also choose to extend the duration of the internship, but 6 months is the minimum. The internship will give you an idea about how the profession works and will also provide you with vital experience in dealing with patients.

In India, it is necessary for all Occupational Therapists to be registered with AIOTA (All India Occupational Therapists’ Association). You can become a member of the AIOTA by first passing out with a Bachelor’s degree from an AIOTA accredited college and then applying for a membership. To start practicing as an Occupational Therapist, you should apply for a license to the AIOTA. A License will give you access to industry related journals and will provide you with the opportunity to attend seminars and conferences. It will also benefit you greatly if want to work abroad at a later stage in your career.

Institutions:

There are many reputed institutions that offer great courses in Occupational Therapy in India. The National Institute of Rehabilitation, Training and Research, Orissa offers a Bachelor’s as well as a Master’s course in Occupational Therapy. Manipal University, Karnataka has a good Bachelor’s course in Occupational Therapy. It also offers a Bachelor’s course in Respiratory Therapy. The All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai offers a Master’s course in Occupational Therapy as well as Post Graduate Diploma (1 year) in the same field.

What are the skills required to become an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists are trained professional who use various techniques and methods to make patients suffering from physical, mental and social problems more independent. Occupational Therapists need to be positive and patient people, as they have to constantly encourage patients. They should have the ability to motivate patients and build a sense of self – respect and confidence within them. Occupational Therapists should be sensitive towards the needs of their patients. They need to have the ability to solve problems through their wise decision making. They should have excellent communication skills so that they can easily converse with patients who suffer from disabilities as well. They should have really good interpersonal and social skills. Occupational Therapists need to have an inquisitive and observant mind. They should have incredible physical and mental stamina as they constantly have to deal with problems and lift heavy equipment. They need to have great organizational skills so that they can make treatment plans with ease. Occupational Therapists should have leadership qualities and the ability to work as a part of a team. Most importantly, they should be responsible people who have a genuine desire to be a positive influence in people’s lives and help them overcome difficulties.

Is this the right career for me?

Occupational Therapists lead hectic lives and work regular hours. Their job is physically tiring at times as it involves standing throughout the day and lifting heavy equipments. The job requires a lot of mental stamina and patience as it involves dealing with patients with disabilities. The career of an Occupational Therapist can tend to get a little frustrating if the treatment plan does not lead to any positive outcomes. It is a well paying and respected job. Occupational Therapists lead satisfying lives as they use their knowledge to help other people live their lives in a better, fuller way and overcome their disabilities.

So if you’re looking for a glamorous job that involves travelling and if you’re not comfortable in tending to the problems of patients all day, then this isn’t the right career for you. But if you’re genuinely interested in helping people with disabilities live better lives with the help of your knowledge and skills, and if you’re comfortable with standing for long hours for the sake of the satisfaction that this profession provides, then this is the perfect career for you.

Fields related to Occupational Therapy:

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession which is closely related to Occupational Therapy. It is primarily concerned with the remedy of physical impairments and disabilities. The main aim of Physiotherapy is to promote mobility and functional ability. Physiotherapists examine, evaluate and diagnose physical problems through therapy that comprises of physical agents like exercises and massages. Physiotherapists focus solely on evaluating and maintaining the physical functions in a human body, whereas Occupational Therapists use a broader approach that deals with the physical, mental and social impairments, provided that they interfere with the patient’s daily living, occupation and well being. More often than not, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists work in a team to look after the well being of patients suffering from physical, mental and social problems.