Occupational Therapist is the health professional who helps physically or mentally challenged patients to lead a life as normal as it can be by adopting various medical and scientific techniques. They are the professionals who want to serve the society along with earning their livelihood. Their main aim in life is not to earn riches but to help some lesser fortunate sons of God.
Occupational Therapist is responsible to help patients, identify imbalances in their lives and design such activities as could deal with them. This type of therapy is patient-specific, involving recreational, creative or educational activities. The patient's specific interests, his background, his previous experiences also form an indispensable part of the treatment provided to them.
Because of increasing number of people requiring their help, the importance of these professional has increased a lot, not only in the developed countries but also in some of the fast developing countries like India and China. This importance of the work brings responsibility in this profession and vice-versa. But to handle this work with utmost responsibility and professionally, one requires hundred per cent dedications along with a lot of hard work and that too without expecting high pay packages although they will fall in place when the time comes. To be clinically perfect in his work, one has to undertake the above give path and follow it religiously.
Occupational Therapist Eligibility
To be eligible for joining a Degree / Certificate course in Occupational Therapy, one has to be 10+2 pass with physics, chemistry and biology/mathematics as the main subjects, at this level.
Occupational Therapist Required Skills
- Occupational Therapist should have enthusiasm, sensitivity and patience; the ability to persuade and motivate others.
- They also possess good creative and practical skills; decision-making and organisational skills; the ability to explain, encourage and build confidence and develop a rapport with a range of people.
- They should also have an inquiring mind in order to successfully solve problems through assessment and treatment.
How to become an Occupational Therapist?
One has to follow the given steps for becoming an Occupational Therapist-
Step 1
After clearing 12th class in sciences subjects interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the various state and Independent bodies to admit candidates in various institutions providing the relevant degrees like B.Sc( (Occupational Therapy) or Bachelors in Occupational Therapy.
However, some of the institutes provide admission on first come first basis without any kind of entrance test.
Step 2
After completing B.Sc (Occupational Therapy) course and compulsory internship candidates can go for Master's of Occupational Therapy or M.Sc (Occupational Therapy) which is compulsory in some countries, to get the license to work as an Occupational Therapist or for the job of an Assistant Occupational Therapist.
Institutes providing these courses are:
- Institute of Public Health and Hygiene - Delhi
- All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation centre - Mumbai
- Christian Medical College -Vellore
- National Institute for Mentally Handicapped and Neurosciences - Bangalore
Occupational Therapist Job Description
- Occupational Therapist job includes providing customized treatment programs for specific disabilities, evaluating home and work environments and giving recommendations for necessary adaptation, recommending adaptive equipment for permanent/temporary loss of function like wheelchairs, splints, aids for eating and dressing needed for the patient and training them in its use.
- Occupational therapists are also professionally trained to assess and record the patient’s progress periodically.
Occupational Therapist Career Prospects
With the increasing awareness of the medical treatment and affordability by the masses, the demand of the Occupational Therapist has increased a lot in the recent past. These professionals can work with patients of various disorders who have orthopaedic, neurological and psychological/psychiatric conditions.
Therapists can opt for either of the option open to them i.e. they can practice privately and own their own clinics or work in tandem with other medical practitioners in polyclinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, special schools, psychiatric institutions, community mental health centres, adult day care programs, sports teams, residential care facilities etc. They can also work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders and help them out of their respective problems with more systematic and scientific manner.
Occupational Therapist Salary
Occupational Therapists can get nearly Rs.20,000 per month as an Assistant Occupational Therapist to start with and can go as far as Rs.30,000 with a little experience in the field. Whereas there is no limit for those who opt for their own business, work independently and handling individual cases.
Efficient and experienced Occupational Therapist can earn as good as Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 per case. Moreover, there is high demand for these professionals in overseas highly developed countries like U.S., U.K. etc. One can opt for those countries and can multiply his income.
