Occupational therapists help people who experience difficulties carrying out everyday tasks, activities or occupations due to disability, illness, trauma, ageing, and a range of long-term conditions but most commonly those who have difficulties due to a mental health illness, physical or learning disabilities.

What does an occupational therapist do?

An occupational therapist’s job role is to help all kinds of people overcome a range of different challenges, so they can live as fully and independently as possible. This can involve teaching patients new ways to do things, or make changes to their environment to make their day to day life easier.

An occupational therapist will consider the physical, psychological, social and environmental needs of the patient, creating individual treatment programmes, suggest changes to the person’s environment and introduce the use of equipment which will help with everyday activities. Treatments are reviewed, evaluated and, when necessary, modified periodically.

Alongside working with individual patients and their families, an occupational therapist could also work with groups, as part of a team in hospitals or in other social care environments.

 

What qualifications do occupational therapists need?

Occupational therapist jobs require a degree in occupational therapy. Once you’ve successfully completed your degree, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.

 

Occupational Therapy Working Hours

An NHS Occupational Therapist’s standard working week will be around 37.5 hours but you may need to work flexibly over a seven day period.

 

Skills Required for Occupational Therapy

Alongside the qualifications, a few of the skills an Occupational Therapists need: 

• To be a ‘people person’, able to make anyone feel quickly at ease.
• Strong Listening Skills
• Excellent communicator
• Creative, patient and enthusiastic.  
• Thrives in a team environment