Occupational therapist

As an occupational therapist, you'll assist patients who struggle with doing daily tasks due to a disability, disease, trauma, ageing, or a variety of chronic problems. You will assist people who struggle with performing daily tasks due to a disability, sickness, trauma, ageing, or a variety of chronic problems as an occupational therapist.

Working life

Millions of individuals experience the effects of accidents, disease, disability, mental health problems, and ageing, which makes it more difficult for them to engage in activities they like as well as daily activities. As an occupational therapist, you'll assist a wide range of individuals in overcoming a variety of obstacles in order to maximise their independence and quality of life. This might entail adapting their environment to make things simpler or learning new methods to accomplish things.

You might support in the position by:

• the process of recovering from major surgery.
• individuals with learning difficulties or mental problems who participate in regular activities like job or volunteerism.
• By installing modifications like stair lifts or level access showers, we can help the elderly remain in their own homes.

You can discover answers to common issues like:

• recommending a new way to tackle a problem.
• using tools or assistive technology.
• modifying one's living or working conditions.
• identifying methods to achieve your patient's objectives.

At hospitals, clinics, charities, jails, and social services departments, you might work one-on-one with patients and their families as well as in groups or as a multidisciplinary team.

Entry requirements

You must get a degree in occupational therapy, which can take up to six years of part-time study or three years of full-time study to complete. Therapist near me With one to two years of postgraduate study, a master's degree is achievable. After earning your degree, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to begin practising. Application for an apprenticeship degree is the alternate choice.

Annual payments

If you qualify, you'll get at least £5,000 a year to help pay for your university education. You could qualify for additional money depending on your specific situation. The good news, then? You won't ever be required to repay it. Discover more.

 Degree apprenticeship

The number of degree apprenticeships is rising. With an apprenticeship, you may get your qualification while also making a living. Apprenticeships are not eligible for student grants because your company and the government will cover the tuition costs.

Must-have skills

Remember that education alone isn't everything. You must naturally be good with people and have the ability to put anyone at ease. Furthermore required are creativity and the capacity to combine excitement and patience. You must love working in a team and have swift decision-making skills.

Training and career development

When you graduate, you will have yearly CPD (Continuing Professional Development) check-ins where we will talk about your professional goals and determine how we can support you in achieving them so that you are continually going ahead. St Louis therapy You will be urged to join the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, where you may get trade union membership and professional indemnity insurance.

Also, you might choose to specialise in a field like paediatrics or elder care. There are options abroad to enter the fields of research or education. Perhaps you might apply for more senior and specialised positions with experience, additional education, and training.

Once you have earned your certification, you will have yearly CPD (Continuing Professional Development) check-ins. At these meetings, we will talk about your professional goals and determine how we can support you in achieving them so that you are continually making progress. A trade union membership and professional indemnity insurance are obtained by joining the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Also, you will have the option of specialising in fields like paediatrics or elder care. There are options internationally to advance into research or education. You might also apply for more senior and specialised positions if you have the necessary experience, education, and training.

Pay and benefits

Your typical work week will be roughly 37.5 hours, but you'll also need to be flexible about when you work each day of the week. You'll be compensated as an occupational therapist under the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay scale, often beginning at band 5.

Also, you'll be eligible for our excellent pension plan, health care discounts, and 27 days of annual leave plus holidays.