Occupational Therapy Schools: A Career That's About Caring

Occupational therapists provide an important role in the world of health professions, helping patients to regain their ability to perform some of the most basic tasks of everyday life. Occupational therapists help patients by providing treatments that will help them to regain some of the more basic function and actions of regular life. Those who are interested in helping individuals to become more independent should seek out a career in this field through occupational therapy schools.

Occupational therapy schools are going to provide you with the education that you need to truly help patients to regain some of their most basic functions. Those who work with those who have been physically injured will work hands-on with patients to help them to regain strength. You will help them to re-learn how to perform tasks like cleaning, cooking, eating, and general hygiene. Occupational therapy students must learn how to create programs for these patients to make sure their recovery is speedy and safe.

Students may choose to work with those who have been permanently injured to help them to work around their injuries. Students will create programs for patients that will help them to use the new tools that they must use to perform their daily activities. Finally, students may choose to work with individuals who are mentally impaired or emotionally impaired, or those who must deal with the changes that come from growing older. In the end, students must work to help each group to become more independent and strong in their daily activities.

Occupational therapy schools take education very seriously because of the important nature of the work. Students who are looking to get into the Occupational therapy field should understand that the minimum education required for entry into the industry is a Master's Degree. If students want to eventually become nationally licensed and certified, they must attend a school with ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accreditation.

Education for Occupational Therapy generally includes courses in various sciences, including anatomy, chemistry, and biology. Students will have a full load of classes that tackle the theories of Occupational Therapy and the skills needed for the industry and field. After their education, students must go through a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork.

There is a licensing procedure that each occupational therapy student must go through. Different states have different requirements for licensing in their state. Each state does require that students go through an accredited school, and that they pass the national certification exam. Changes in each state's requirements will determine how much schooling is needed or how many hours of supervised apprenticeship are needed to become an actual occupational therapist.

There are plenty of different Occupational Therapy Schools that will be able to provide you with the education that you need to become an OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered). You will be able to join this growing field by getting in the classes that you need, getting hands on experience, and passing your final certification. Once you do so, you will start to work with patients on a one-on-one basis, helping them to regain their independence.