Occupational therapists are health and rehabilitation professionals who provide services to people of all ages whose lives have been disrupted because of physical, developmental, social, or emotional problems. People with disabilities often need specialized assistance to regain or build skills that will enable them to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Therapy services may include working with patients and their families to develop alternative ways to accomplish tasks of daily living, such as meal preparation, bathing, and dressing. Occupational therapists often fabricate splints and customized adaptive rehabilitation equipment to improve the individual’s functional performance. They work in hospitals, out-patient facilities, private practice, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, and industry.

Areas of Work and Emerging Areas of Specialty

Hospitals, community health centers, home health agencies, nursing homes, psychiatric facility,  industrial facilities, schools, research facilities, private homes, adult day care programs, and private practitioner environment.  Emerging areas of specialty include:

Low vision rehabilitation
Ergonomics consulting
Older driver assessment and training
Design and accessibility consulting and home modification
Technology and assistive-device development and consulting
Addressing Alzheimer’s disease and caregiver training
Health and wellness consulting
Addressing the needs of children and youth with disabilities
Consulting to assisted living facilities
Community health initiatives

Job Outlook

There is an expanding demand for Occupational Therapists, due in part to aging Americans.  Recent information published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the job outlook for occupational therapists will improve substantially in the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010,” meaning that employment is expected to increase by 21% to 35%.

Salary range

$50,000 - $70,000

Links

University Links

• the UT Health Science Center Home page
• School of Health Professions Home page
• Department of Occupational Therapy Home page
• Occupational Therapy Applicant Viewbook
• Student Life
• Student Services/Admissions
• Financial Aid Information

Professional Links

• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Texas Occupational Therapy Association
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• Promote Occupational Therapy (awareness resource)
• Texas Society of Allied Health Professions
• Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions