Career of the Week

Occupational Therapy

By Jeff Riley, Careers Counsellor Careers Service UOW

What does the work involve?

“Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation….Occupational Therapists are health professionals who are trained to assist people to overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of aging. Their goal is to assist each individual to move from dependence to independence, maximizing personal productivity, well being and quality of life.” From the Association of Occupational Therapist’s Web site.

What does the course involve?

The four year undergraduate science course covers subjects such as

• Occupational role lifestyle and lifespan development, occupational therapy theory and process, inter professional studies, occupational therapy project, issues in occupational therapy practice
• Social Sciences - Psychology, sociology, epidemiology, research methods.
  Biological Sciences - Anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neurobiology, applied physiology, applied biomechanics

The OT course is very broad based and prepares the student for an holistic approach to patient care and even for roles outside of OT. For example as a mental health Case manager. As well as dealing with physical injuries the OT will help patients deal with mental issues and also help them address spiritual issues. The course content reflects this broad base of skills needed.

What if I already have a degree?

You can take a two year Masters course though your first degree must have a broad relevance to study in the field of Occupational Therapy (ie at least 40% of your first degree must be in related subjects). See example below

Where do OTs work?

As well as in hospitals OTs can work for NGOs, nursing homes, private practice (especially working with children). There is a significant demand for OTs and the availability of OT through medicare has increased demand further.

An example Masters Course – University of Sydney

The Master of Occupational Therapy is a professional Master's program in occupational therapy for graduates from a variety of undergraduate programs. The course allows graduates to enter the profession of occupational therapy by completing a two-year full-time postgraduate degree as an alternative to the four-year full-time bachelor's degree.

To qualify for admission applicants need to:

• possess a relevant undergraduate degree from an institution recognised by the University of Sydney. Relevance implies that at least 40% of the content of your undergraduate degree will be relevant to study in the field of occupational therapy; and
• have achieved at least a credit grade average in your undergraduate degree.

Further information www.ausot.com.au