This occupation is part of the Healthcare Practitioner and Technical cluster
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About the Job
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.
It is also Called
- Assistive Technology Trainer
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Independent Living Specialist
- Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant
- Industrial Therapist
- Job Trainer
- Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L)
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Registered Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Engineer
What They Do
- Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
- Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
- Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental and physical capabilities.
- Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
- Complete and maintain necessary records.
- Train caregivers how to provide for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
- Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
- Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.
- Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs and coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
- Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work and school skills and adjust to handicaps.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: SI.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Social interests, but also prefer Investigative environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Achievement and Working Conditions in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
- Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
- Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Additional Resources
- California Occupational Guide - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Education Required
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $86,380.00 with most people making between $60,250.00 and $114,100.00
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 9,000 people in California. It is projected that there will be 11,200 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 210 openings due to growth and about 170 replacement openings for approximately 380 total annual openings.
Similar Occupations
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Chiropractors
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Nurse Midwives
- Nurse Practitioners
- Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Athletic Trainers
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