Occupational Therapist | Career Planet

OFO No: 226902

Other names for Occupational Therapist:

Corrections Programme Coordinator / Facilitator
Ergotherapist
Work Rehabilitation Therapist

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Youtube clip – The Career of an Occupational Therapist

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What is an Occupational Therapist?

An Occupational Therapist is also known as an OT.

An OT is a medical professional who assists people (young and old) with various forms of disabilities.

These disabilities could be:

Temporary: For example: from illness, surgery, accident or sporting/work injury etc
Long term: For example: from birth, accident, or sporting/work injury etc (usually permanent)

There are 3 fields an OT can specialise in:

adult physical rehabilitation
paediatric
psychiatry

The OT assists patients, through specialised exercises to recover as quickly as possible.

For those patients with severe or permanent disabilities or special needs, the OC helps them to adapt to society and daily tasks as best as they can. They try to help the patient to be an independent as possible.

Occupational Therapists also advise people on how to adapt their environments to help them cope by using aids or special devices. They also advise on making structural alterations to buildings to assist patients.

Here are some of the tasks OT’s may re-teach patients to:

dress themselves
bath
prepare food
shop
return to school
return to work – related tasks: phones, computers etc
concentrate
interact with others
express themselves
manage emotions etc

Tools that patients may use, include: walkers, canes, wheelchairs etc.

OT’s not only deal with the physical side, but also assist with mental and emotional challenges and helping patients to socialise and interact with people.

The goal of an OT is to help a person lead an independent, productive, and rewarding life.

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

assessws patients physical, mental and emotional needs
works out programmes that best fit the patient for a speedy road to independence
assists patients with the exercises
introduces various devices and tools to assist patient
keeps progress reports

Are you … ?

caring?
people-orientated?
interested in helping people?
patient?
kind?
methodical?
understanding?
emotionally stable

How do I become an Occupational Therapist?

You will need a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree

University of Cape Town
University of Kwazulu Natal
University of Limpopo
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Free State
University of Western Cape
University of Witwatersrand

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