Decision-Making
Occupational therapy example
Occupational therapy example
One person used the following resources to complete a research chart for “occupational therapy”:
Occupational research chart
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
Occupational title: |
Occupational therapist |
NOC code: |
3143 |
Nature of the work: |
Help develop individual or group programs for people with mental or physical limitations to enable them to lead independent and productive lives. Develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, groups, and employers. |
Duties: |
Assess clients’ needs; develop personalized programs to improve the quality of clients’ lives; work with other team members; keep accurate records for each client. |
Values satisfied: |
See results of work; work makes a difference in someone’s life. |
Interests satisfied: |
Observing; examining; health-related; helping people with physical problems or ailments; understanding others. |
Personal attributes considered beneficial: |
People person; passionate; compassionate; empathetic; optimistic; energetic; physically fit; understanding. |
Skills required: |
Evaluating; testing; researching solutions; problem-solving; caring; treating; healing others. |
Education/knowledge/special requirements: |
Currently need to complete two years of undergraduate studies before applying to an occupational therapy program. However, in 2010 all occupational therapists will require a Master’s degree. To apply to a Master’s program, one requires a Bachelor’s degree. Application in Ontario to a Master’s occupational therapy program is done through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) using the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Program Application Service (ORPAS). The deadline is in early January. To practise in Ontario as an Occupational Therapist, one must have graduated from an accredited program, completed a specific number of practice hours, passed the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists National Certification Exam, registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, and acquired liability insurance. One must also follow specific regulations set by the College. Occupational therapists can obtain additional training to support consulting or teaching careers. |
Setting: |
Health care/rehab/research facilities, schools, government agencies, social service agencies, correctional institutions, recreational centres and private practice settings. |
Typical hours: |
Monday to Friday, 35 to 40 hours (although shift and weekend work may be required in some institutions). |
Working conditions: |
Spend a lot of time sitting or standing. Some bending, lifting, and stretching. Work is primarily indoors. |
Salary/benefits: |
$23.95/hour average in Ontario according to Job Futures. The wage in the Toronto region ranges from $28.45-$36.05 an hour based on 2005 rates. Entry-level: $40,000. Couldn’t find any information about benefits (note to self: ask at next information interview). |
Career path/opportunities for advancement: |
Progression to management and administrative positions through further training and experience. Some occupational therapists teach or consult. Also, health promotion/planning, paramedical, research, pediatrics, or gerontology. |
Employment outlook: |
“Fair” according to Job Futures-Canada (2007). “Good” according to Ontario Job Futures (2005). It is anticipated there will be an increased demand for occupational therapists due to the aging population and the shift from institutional care to home care. |
Related occupations or specializations: |
I’d like to find out more about other types of therapy: athletic, massage, physio, recreation. |
Print/web resources
- National Occupational Classification website: general information on the nature of the work, duties, career path/opportunities for advancement. (Source: Career Services site, Career-related Websites, Occupational Information and Trends, Occupational Information. In the National Occupational Classification site these links were used: Occupational Descriptions, Health Occupations, Therapy and Assessment Professionals, Occupational Therapists.)
- Job Futures website: general information on the nature of the work, duties, education/knowledge/special requirements, setting, salary/benefits, employment outlook, related occupations or specializations. (Source: Centre for Career Action site, Career-related Websites, Occupational Information and Trends, Occupational Information.
- Career Cruising website: general information on nature of the work, duties, personal attributes considered beneficial, skills required, education/knowledge/special requirements, working conditions, salary/benefits, career path/opportunities for advancement, related occupations or specializations. (Source: Centre for Career Action site, Career-related Websites, Occupational Information and Trends, Occupational Information.)
- The “Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)” website: general information on the nature of the work, duties, education/knowledge/special requirements, setting, salary/benefits. (Source: TheDirectory of Associations in Canada, Career Planning section of the Centre for Career Action resource library and Google.)
- Occupational Therapy Careers: general information on nature of the work, duties, education/knowledge/special requirements, setting, salary/benefits, career path/opportunities for advancement. (Source: Career Planning section of the Centre for Career Action resource library.)
- Association of Universities & Colleges of Canada: information on education/qualifications/special requirements. (Source: Centre for Career Action site, Career-related Websites, Further Education, Find a Program.)
- Job advertisement: information on setting, working conditions, salary/benefits, career path/opportunities for advancement. (Source: JobMine, Centre for Career Action site, Job Listings section, Summer, Part-time, Volunteer, or Work Placement positions.)
- JobScience website: information on setting, working conditions, salary/benefits, career path/opportunities for advancement. (Source: Centre for Career Action site, Career-related Websites, Work Search sites, and Postings by Field.)
People resources
- Job shadow experience at Grand River Hospital, observed an Occupational Therapist at work: nature of the work, duties, setting, working conditions. (Source: Centre for Career Action site, Career-related Websites, Volunteering, Volunteering in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.)
- Information interview with Judi Chang, Occupational Therapist, private practice: information on the nature of the work, duties, work values and interests satisfied, skills required, setting, working conditions. (Source: Professor X, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo: obtained contact names for Occupational Therapists.)
- Professional & Post-Degree Day: information on education/qualifications/special requirements for admission to Occupational Therapy programs. (Source: Organized by Centre for Career Action in October.)