How to Become an Occupational Therapist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

All About Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists are professionals who help physically disabled people or people who have had life long injuries to do the things they wantthrough therapeutic use of daily activities. Occupational Therapists enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent or live better with injuries, illness or disabilities.

Occupational Therapists are incharge of helping children with disabilities to participate in school and social functions, help people to recover from injuries to regain skills and provide support of aged people who are experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational Therapists have a holistic perspective in which the main focus is to adapt according to the environment.   

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Types of Occupational Therapists

There are various types and specializations in occupational therapy jobs. Candidates can choose and pursue occupational therapy as a career in any of the specializations depending upon their interest and passion. The following section gives the types of occupational therapist jobs. 

• Pediatric: The role of the pediatric occupational therapist is to provide assistance to infants, children and youths in a variety of settings. They help the children to develop the skills which they require to grow into independent adults. Pediatric occupational therapy helps in the development of cognitive skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, self-care and social skills.
• Mental Health Services: Occupational therapy in mental health services helps people of all age categories who are diagnosed with mental illness. They teach patients to deal with stress and teach them how to lead a productive life by balancing their daily responsibilities. This type of OT enhances existing skills, creates opportunities, promotes wellness, restores skills, modifies the environment and prevents relapse. 
• Neurological: Neurological occupational therapy enables the patients to manage their daily activities which require their physical, social and emotional contribution. It has the skills to understand the challenges faced by patients with neurological impairments. 
• Learning Disability: Children with a learning disability will have difficulty in school, playing with others or socially interacting with friends. An occupational therapist helps such children to enhance their sensory processing skills (understanding, responding to sensory information and registering), fine motor skills (writing skills), attention and social behaviour. 

Steps to Become an Occupational Therapist

Some of the crucial steps that needs to be adhered to in order to become an Occupational Therapist are listed below for your reference,

• Decision Making: Occupational Therapy is a good career choice for candidates who are looking for a job in healthcare with an excellent salary package. Candidates who wish to get into the healthcare field and work directly with patients should choose occupational therapy as their career. Candidates who wish to help people to regain wellness and lead a healthy and prosperous life should prefer Occupational Therapist as their career. An occupational therapist should have patience, enthusiasm, empathy, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, interest to work closely with people and the ability to provide solutions to problems. 
• Subject Choices: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a basic eligibility criteria for candidates to pursue an occupational therapist job as a career. Hence at school level, candidates should choose a course with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects.

How to Become an Occupational Therapist in India

In India, to become an occupational therapist, candidates should first shadow a senior Occupational therapist who is already working in a practice setting to know the advantages and disadvantages of the job. It will also help in analysing if the candidates could work well in such an environment. 

• School-level preparation: At the school level, if candidates wish to pursue occupational therapy as a career, they should opt for the group which has physics, chemistry and biology as compulsory subjects. At the school level, candidates should also have English as a compulsory subject. They should work and enhance their social skills and communication skills. In the class 12 board examination, candidates should pass with at least 50% marks in aggregate. 

How to Become an Occupational Therapist After 12^th

The following steps should be followed in order to become an Occupational Therapist after 12^th for your reference,

• UG Preparation: At the undergraduate level, candidates should opt for the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy program in a recognized university and complete the degree with at least 50% marks in aggregate. After successfully completing the BOT program, candidates should take up an internship program in the occupational therapy field for a duration of 6 months. Then candidates should register themselves in the National Certification Examination to get a license to practice occupational therapy as a profession. 

Skills Required to Become an Occupational Therapist

In order to become a successful Occupational Therapist one needs to inculcate themselves with certain skill sets that would help them understand the subject better. Tabulated below are some of the key skills to become an Occupational Therapist,

Occupational Therapist Salary

The salary package of the occupational therapist in India is based on the work location, government/private sector and work experience. 

Average Annual Salary

Specialization Wise

Experience wise