Career Exploration

Oquirrh Hills Middle School

Occupational Therapy

Cathy Abrahamson

& Jana LeVitre

OT

OT is…Helping people

do what they want to doand need to do

every day!

What do YOU like to do?

What do YOU need to do?

What do YOU do ?

Write stories? Draw and paint? Read books? Take pictures? Talk to people? Plan parties & events? Cook for people?

Do hair and makeup? Discover nature? Wash your car? Drive your car? Play sports?

IMAGINE if…

…You woke up tomorrow morning and didn’t have your arms!

Who would help you get back to doing stuff?

Occupational Therapy!!!

What is OT? “Occupational Therapy makes it possible for people to live life to the fullest.  Many people face daily challenges –

…a refugee new to America,…an injured worker returning to work,…a child with autism at school,…a grandfather who has had a hip replaced,…a young adult with a traumatic brain injury,…a mother with depression. 

Occupational Therapists help people learn new ways to do things they used to do but, for whatever reason, can no longer do them.  Occupational therapy helps people be successful in doing what is important to them.”

~U of U Division of OT

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)• Bathing/showering, dressing, eating

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)• Care of others, meal preparation, shopping

Rest and SleepEducationWorkPlayLeisureSocial Participation

• Family, peers, friends

AREAS OF OCCUPATION

What training or college degree do I need? • Masters Degree: Occupational Therapist (OT)• Associate of Applied Science: Occupational Therapy Assistant

(OTA) How many years of post-high school training will it

take? • OT: Bachelor’s (4 years) + OT Program (3 years)• OTA: Pre-requisites (1 year) + OTA Program (2 years)

Institutions in Utah that offer programs:• University of Utah—OT • Salt Lake Community College—OTA

Educational Background

Compared to other jobs, what is the salary range?◦Bureau of Labor Statistics (Median Salary May 2012)OT: $75,400 year/$36.25 hr.OTA: $53,240 year/$23.53 hr.

Salary

Will there be a job for me when I graduate? Where are the jobs? • Skilled Nursing Facilities• Hospitals• Clinics• Home Health• Schools• Mental Institutions• Work sites (Industry)

Number of jobs: 38,600 Long term outlook: 2012-2022• OT growth rate: 29% • OTA growth rate: 43%

Job Outlook

OT

Questions

http://www.biotherapyplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/occu-thera.jpg

http://www.continuumhomehealth.org/images/occupationaltherapy.jpg

http://www.iainwrightmp.org.uk/uploads/Whizzkids10.12.10.thumb.jpg

http://ec.l.thumbs.canstockphoto.com/canstock16680716.jpg

http://www.health.utah.edu/ot/prospective/index.html

References

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY