What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists assess patients’ abilities and limitations, and then promote their health and well-being by helping them participate in activities that are part of everyday life, including personal care, bathing, getting dressed and cooking, and activities outside the home, such as working, pursuing a hobby or socialising.
Occupational therapists play a particularly important role for disabled individuals by finding them strategies to support their participation in everyday activities (known as ‘occupations’, thus the job title). These strategies can also include modifying activities or environments to the patient’s needs and abilities.
Occupational therapist skills and qualifications
A successful occupational therapist needs to have the following skills and aptitudes to be able to perform their role well:
- Empathy and ability to build a rapport with a variety of different people
- Great investigative skills and ability to problem-solve and come up with solutions
- Demonstrable anatomical and neurological expertise to understand the physical difficulties patients are experiencing
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills to effectively talk to patients and type up reports for other professionals
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Occupational therapist experience requirements
When studying for an Australian occupational therapy degree, students are usually required to complete 1,000 hours of practical placements or work experience alongside their theoretical studies. This gives applicants a practical foundation in the job, so you as their potential employer can rest assured that some hands-on experience has already been gained as part of their education.
Occupational therapist education and training requirements
A number of requirements must be met in order for someone to be able to practise as an occupational therapist in Australia. An optional foundation is the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy).
Occupational therapists need an accredited undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, or a related undergraduate degree followed by a Master’s of Occupational Therapy.
They also need to be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and pass certain security checks, such as the Working With Children Check and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Check.
Occupational therapist salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an occupational therapist is $85,674 per year. Although occupational therapist salaries may vary slightly depending on the location, they are largely similar across all cities and states. However, some private employers, especially around the Sydney area, offer much higher salaries than the national average.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are a number of roles with similar duties to an occupational therapist. Take a look to see if you need to hire one of these specialists in addition to or instead of an occupational therapist:
Occupational therapist job description FAQs
What is ‘occupation’?
The term ‘occupation’ in the job title ‘occupational therapist’ refers to the everyday activities that people do to spend meaningful time as individuals, with their families and with peers such as friends or co-workers. So, ‘occupations’ in this sense means the activities that people want or need to do as part of their everyday lives.
What is an allied health professional?
An occupational therapist is one of the so-called ‘allied health professional’ occupations. In Australia, trained professional healthcare providers who are not doctors, nurses or dentists are referred to as allied health professionals. They often have a university degree in their area of expertise and specialise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. Allied health professionals are usually part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team that works together to provide patients with targeted, individual support for their different needs.
Where do occupational therapists work?
Occupational therapists often work in private practice, where they treat individuals and patients referred by other professionals. However, occupational therapists can also be employed by rehabilitation centres, hospitals, schools, aged care facilities or other organisations. So, the role is very versatile and can cover a range of different settings.
Can I hire an occupational therapist with an overseas qualification?
In Australia, all occupational therapists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The eligibility to register is determined by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, whose registration standards must be met by all prospective occupational therapists.
Applicants from overseas need to ensure that their qualifications are recognised by the Board and also have a valid visa to work, issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
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