Occupational Therapist

Career Focus

Occupational therapists assess and treat people who, due to illness, injury or circumstance, are limited in their ability to undertake everyday activities. They assist people to regain lost functions, develop their abilities and social skills as well as maintain and promote independence in their everyday lives to enhance health and wellbeing. 

Occupational therapists:

conduct tests to assess functional, emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities

plan and direct specific therapeutic programs for individuals using recreational, remedial, social, educational or vocational (job-related) activities

select and design activities that improve an affected movement or function and help individuals to regain personal care skills

assist people to gain or regain skills in social, leisure and work environments through graded individual or group therapy and activity programs

monitor the progress of individuals and assist with the coordination of an appropriate health team

assist children with disabilities to integrate into education programs in schools

assess the ability of injured workers to return to their usual employment or perform alternative duties

design and modify the everyday environment of clients to allow for better access and independence

advise on the use of specialised equipment 

assess the need for, develop and run health education programs

act as consultants to industry and government organisations 

undertake research

teach in academic institutions, generally at tertiary level 

assist with policy development for health and other areas.

Occupational therapists may work in areas such as:

Aged Care – providing programmes and equipment for people with medical and social problems associated with ageing. 

Disabilities – working with people who have an intellectual, physical or sensory disability through planned activity programmes over long periods of time.

General medicine – working in hospitals or private practice to assess and treat individuals with physically disabling diseases or injuries.

Occupational health – assessing the safety of work environments and injured workers, providing rehabilitation and advice about adaptations for their return to the workplace.

Health promotion – assisting people who want to achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Paediatrics – working in hospitals, private practices or schools to assess and treat children with disabilities, developmental delays or learning difficulties. 

Psychiatry – assessing and treating individuals with mental illness and behavioral disorders through programmes involving such methods as stress management.

Vocational rehabilitation – assisting injured workers to return to work.

To consider working as an Occupational Therapist, it is helpful to have the following skills and attributes:

Patience

Able to show initiative 

A flexible attitude

Practical, innovative and observant 

Good problem-solving skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Able to maintain client confidentiality 

Able to work independently or as part of a team

To become qualified as an occupational therapist, you usually have to complete a degree in occupational therapy at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your VCE. Prerequisite subjects are usually one or more of English, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Make sure you check course entry requirements at your chosen institutions. 

Occupational therapists work in public and private healthcare settings. These may include general and children’s hospitals, aged-care facilities, rehabilitation centres, day care centres, community health centres, municipal councils, primary and secondary schools, prisons, centres for people with disabilities, independent living centres and other organisations. They may also work in private practice as clinicians, consultants or as injury management advisors. Occupational therapists are due to see a 14.6% increase in employment growth in the next 5 years.