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Occupational therapy and career exploration
Journey of becoming an occupational therapist
Why I want to be an occupational therapist
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Occupational Therapy Katrina Perdue South University Eng 1100 Occupational therapy is also known as the dynamic and developing healthcare profession that deals with people in ways of regaining their skills required for the every days of life. For a very long time I have always had the desire to achieve my dreams in becoming an occupational therapist. I am very well equipped with creativity, flexibility and the ability to aid people in solving their every day’s life challenges they get involved in. Occupational therapy is quite involving and needs good strategies and skills for one to be successful in the program. According to the United States Department of Labor they explain that, “Occupational therapists treat patients with illnesses, Injuries, and disabilities through therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapist help patients recover, improve, and develop the skills …show more content…
The Department of labor says that by 2020 occupational therapy is estimated to be one of the most in-demand job to be (htt1) . The salary ranges for entry-level vary from about $56,000 to $72,000. The Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that in 2009 the median varied between $ 72,520 per year, which is an average of about $35 an hour (htt). In otherwise the job market for Occupational therapy will be full of opportunity. Some of the most rewarding components of being an occupational therapist are, “helping others reach their needs according to carol smith a licensed OT” (Smith, 2017). There are many benefits to being an occupational therapist. for future as well as current occupational therapist, the market is and will continue to grow tremendously, so therefore jobs will not be hard to find, the starting salaries are great, and as you gain experience your salary will also start to grow. Another plus is you will have a flexible
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defines an occupational profile as “the initial step in the evaluation process that provides an understanding of the client’s occupational history and experience, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs (2014).” During this process the client’s problems and concerns about daily occupations are identified then the client’s main concerns are determined (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Occupational Therapists strive to be holistic and client-centered, and the occupational profile is one method to ensure treatment takes on these characteristics. During the occupational profile the clients share their priorities based on what is important to them, and the therapist
The first question many people will ask you when it comes to choosing a career is “why did you choose that career?” Debbie explained that she knew she wanted to pursue this career when she was younger she grew up in the same household of her grandmother after she had a stroke. Being an Occupational Therapist is about wanting to help someone gain back their independence and you have to want it as much as they do!
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant has been an ambition of mine for several years now. After researching, job shadowing, and talking to professionals, I have decided to make Occupation Therapy my career. My passion is to help patients by participating and assisting them in their recovery from injuries and disabilities. My compassionate and caring attitude will be vital assets in pursuing this career. After training in Occupational Therapy, it is motivating for me to know that I will be a part of assisting patients to gain back their independence. Helping others is something that I am passionate about in my career and in my spare time. I have been on several mission trips to Haiti and other places which I have provided care for others in a medical setting.
This article discusses the basic understanding of what occupational therapy is and what it the Occupation is defined as “activites of everyday life, names, organized and given meaning by individuals and a culture” (Association, 2006). This article also discusses the historical aspects of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy was founded by many different professionals with different backgrounds, that came together to share the same idea about how occupational therapy should be and the importance of activites for a person. This article also talks about different types of services that occupational therapy offers. Occupational therapists and assistances can work in many different settings.
Occupational science in practice enables therapists to understand the patient as an occupational being, thus enabling the therapist to implement assessments that are occupationally focused, especially during the early stages of the occupational therapy process.
An occupational therapist becomes trained and licensed in the healthcare profession and obtains the credentials to make a complete assessment of the impact of an injury that is causing the activities of the patient at home and in work situations
I find occupational therapy to pique my drive to teach people valuable life skills as well as learn from those people and their experiences. Being an occupational therapist would allow me to have one-on-one interactions with patients and establish meaningful relationships over the course of time. It would also give me the dutiful privilege and responsibility of instilling confidence in others and helping them realize their full potential in self-suffiency. All of my personal experiences, challenges, educational backgrounds, and professional interactions have guided me toward pursuing my goals of gaining experience working in all populations, enabling patients to thrive in their daily lifestyle, and spread public awareness of what OT has
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
Occupational therapy has a multifaceted nature providing endless opportunities to serve a wide range of people within many environments, which is just one of the reasons I love this occupation. My long term goals enlist the desire to maximize my knowledge and abilities to care and supplement the lives of anyone that may cross my path in this career. I have seen occupational therapy positively impact the lives of people around me, and I strive to be a bigger role on the team helping make that happen.
According to Merriam’s Dictionary the word Occupation is defined as “an activity in which one engages b: the principal business of one's life” (An Encyclopedia Britannica Company). Although, The Occupational Therapy Field has made significant advancements throughout the years, many people still do not understand what it is that it is the field truly does. In order to truly understand Occupational Therapy one must understand the history of the field.
We are all born to live, not to simply exist. Experiences in life have taught me there is a purpose behind each individual’s existence. Discovering this purpose, has been challenging. My educational and professional background have helped shape my immediate and long term professional goals. Becoming an Occupational Therapist has become both my immediate and long-term goals in life.
This information includes traits and skills required, typical salaries, and future prospects for employment. First and foremost, being compassionate, implementing client-centered treatments, being able to problem-solving, and critically think, are an asset of becoming a competent OTA and PTA. In the article "10 Reasons Why You Will Succeed as an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Assistant" Johnson mentioned "OTAs and PTAs not only know about these traits and skills that help them succeed throughout their career; but also know how to incorporate them into clients lives, helping them to succeed as well "( Johnson, 2015). Secondly, typical salaries for an OTA and PTA vary upon several situations such as, the location of work, how long you have worked for, and the type of contract that you’re under. Typically, clinics would offer minimum wage for a starting point; however, the pay may go up the longer you work there.
In any medical injury or illness, the effects generated by the condition consist more than adverse side effects that come about. Mental issues may arise due to the lack of awareness presented to patients feelings toward their conditions. When asked about the role of an occupational therapist (OT) in a patient’s wellbeing, Sherry Judd, an OT at the rehabilitation center in the St. Michael Medical Center in Arkansas, says that it “offers a more varied approach to trying to help a person get back to independence. (Treadway). Occupational therapy can be defined as the aid of the restoration and development of cognitive and motor skills for the mentally and physically ill. (“Occupational”). With the use of technological and therapeutic techniques,
Based on my personality, skills, and values, I decided that I want to pursue a career in occupational therapy. According to the prioritization grid my top 3 vales are family, helping others, and knowledge. This means that I prefer a career that involves constant learning. Also, a career that will allow me to help people better themselves, yet will not take time away from my family (prioritization grid). The purpose of an occupational therapist is to help people with disability accommodate to the world around them. I will have to be constant updating myself with new information about treatment plans as the field continues to evolve. Also as an occupational therapist I will have the freedom to plan my schedule, so that I will still be able to
Amongst every great profession, there is a strong foundation that it was built on. However, change over time is what keeps the profession moving forward and being successful. We live in a world where things are changing every second, so if we remain in the past, we will let every great opportunity to grow past us by. Occupational Therapy was built to help those who suffered from both physical and mental disabilities. It was the foundation of moral treatment from Philippe Pinel and William Tuke which requires people to treat people with compassion. Also, the Arts and craft movement by John Ruskin and William Morris, that we believed that those who uses arts or crafts, helps them physically and mentally, thus make them healthier (O’Brien et al.,