Guide to Occupational Therapy Courses and Occupational Therapy Careers?
Occupational therapists help patients who have physically,
mentally, or developmentally disabling health conditions. They help
patients develop or maintain work and daily living skills. Most
occupational therapists work in hospitals, but some work in
schools, offices, and nursing care environments.
In order to start a career as an occupational therapist, you
must earn your master’s degree or a higher degree. College majors
that are appropriate for occupational therapist students include
biology, sociology, psychology, liberal arts, anthropology, and
anatomy. Keep in mind that in order to work as an occupational
therapist, you must be licensed. In order to acquire your license,
you must complete an accredited program and pass a certification
exam.
So what kind of salaries do occupational therapists earn? On
average, those who work in home health care services earn about
$67,600. Occupational therapists who work in nursing care
environments earn about $64,750. Occupational therapists who work
in hospitals earn about $61,610. Occupational therapists who work
in elementary and secondary schools earn about $54,260.
So what else do occupational therapists do? They help clients
perform all kinds of activities. They use exercise to help people
increase their dexterity and strength. They use programs on
computers to help patients improve problem solving skills, memory,
coordination, perceptual skills, decision making skills and others.
They may work with the elderly, children, mental health patients
and such.
Many schools offer occupational therapy courses. You can contact
schools in your area to find out if they offer these kinds of
courses. You can also search for schools online or in the Yellow
Pages. You should gather information about each school and their
occupational therapy courses and compare programs until you find a
good school. Ask yourself the following questions when you are
looking for a school. Do you want to relocate to attend college? Do
you need a flexible schedule? What kind of financial assistance is
available to you? Are the occupational therapy courses accredited?
What are the tuition fees and educational costs for each school? If
you compare many schools and inform yourself, you will have an
easier time picking the best school for your education needs.