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1. What is occupational therapy?
A major goal of occupational therapy is to restore the individual to his or her occupational roles, which may include the roles of a child, student, worker, homemaker, and/or caretaker. Occupational therapists intervene when the capacity to adequately perform occupational roles is threatened by developmental disabilities, the effects o d the aging process, deprivation, or by disease, illness, or injury. Occupational therapy's principle focus is the restoration of human performance and functional independence in the areas of work, self-care, and leisure activities. Occupational therapists evaluate, treat, and prevent residual neuromuscular, sensor motor, cognitive and psychosocial aspects of a disease or injury process.
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2. When are occupational therapy services needed?
The scope of occupational therapy is diverse and includes services such as:
- Work related injury assessment, return to work programs, and occupational injury prevention
- Architecture modifications to make home, school and work environments more accessible.
- Lifestyle modification training and occupational stress management training to promote health and prevent illness.
- High risk and well baby developmental assessments, developmental therapy, and infant feeding techniques
- Home safety for the elderly, fabrication of orthopedic devices and the provision of assistive and adaptive devices to facilitate function.
Denied the benefits of occupational therapy services, dependency may become an unnecessary way of life for individuals suffering from acute or chronic problems. The occupational therapy profession strongly endorses the concept of full inclusion for all individuals in society. Full inclusion means that all individuals, regardless of the nature and type of disability, should be part of the naturally occurring activities of society.
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3. What are the career opportunities?
Occupational Therapists are employed in a wide variety of settings. These include school systems, mental health settings, acute care, rehabilitation centers, outpatient settings, long-term care, home health, work hardening programs, industrial settings and private practice in both office and community.
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4. What is the difference between an occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant?
There are two levels of practice in the profession; occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapists evaluate clients, plan programs, and supervise or provide treatment. Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists in planning and carrying out treatment programs. Both levels must graduate from an accredited educational program and complete a national certification examination.
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5. Is there financial assistance available specifically for occupational therapy students?
Information on scholarships for occupational therapy students is available from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF). Send a self-addressed stamped, business envelope to: AOTF, P. O. Box 1725, Rockville, MD 20849-1725 or call, (301) 948-9626, ext. 199. Applications are available only from September 1st through November 30th. Deadline for receipt of the application is December 15, and awards are made April 1. Scholarship applications are accepted only from those students enrolled in an occupational therapy education program. Loans are also available to occupational therapy students who are members of the American Occupational Therapy Association. The Loans for Occupational Therapy Students (LOTS) program offers four educational loans: the Stafford Loan, the Supplemental Loan for students who are self-supporting, the federally-sponsored PLUS Loan for parents, and the Sallie Mae SMART LOAN for those who have outstanding balances in Stafford Loans, SLS Loans, and other eligible loans. For more information, write Loans for Occupational Therapy Students Program, P. O. Box 407, Beltsville, MD 20705 or call 1-800-328-4143.
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6. What is a typically work schedule?
Usually, occupational therapists work a 40-hour week, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. However, this can vary between settings. A therapist working in a school setting, for example, would work a similar schedule as a teacher. In some mental health and acute rehabilitation centers, week-end work may be required so that patients do not deteriorate in their skills due to inactivity
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7. What are the possibilities for advancement in this field?
A. Advancement in the field can take several pathways. An experienced therapist may qualify for supervisory positions in an occupational therapy department. With enough and varied clinical experience, a therapist may apply for certain positions within hospital administration, case service coordinator positions, consultant positions, etc.
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8. What is the pass rate on the NBCOT exam?
University of Texas-Pan American Occupational Therapy Program Student Outcomes:
| Year of Graduation |
# First Time Takers |
# / %First Time Pass |
# Repeat Pass |
| 2007 |
16 |
11 / 68.75% |
4 |
| 2006 |
16 |
12 / 75.00% |
3 |
| 2005 |
15 |
8 / 53.33% |
6 |
*The first Master of Science in Occupational Therapy class graduated in 2006. ScoresReported for 2005 and 2004 are for the previous program, the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. For first time test takers, the combined 3-year average pass rate for the program, including both levels, is 66%.
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