Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist (OT) is a health professional concerned with restoration and maintenance of function following disease or injury. Specifically, occupational therapists are concerned mainly with finer motor control and its functioning in daily at home activities. An occupational therapist may work with a variety of patients such as stroke victims, amputees, spinal cord or head injury patients and developmentally disabled children. The goal of therapy is to reduce limitations, improve self-care skills, maintain function and prepare for employment.
An occupational therapist collaborates with other health professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists and social workers to help the patient attain the highest degree of physical, mental and economic independence possible. Occupational therapists work in many settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, private practice, home health and psychiatric hospitals. The career opportunities for California and the nation are numerous and varied. A continual increase in occupational therapy positions is expected in the coming years. An occupational therapist must have many important personal qualifications including creativity, warmth, responsibility, determination and patience. A therapist must also be comfortable touching and treating the human body.
