Occupational Therapy: Lending a Helping Hand

As much as we may complain about our 9-5 routines, most of us actually regard the ability to work as integral to our overall happiness. Yet, not everyone enjoys this blessing. Whether it is due to physical, mental, or emotional disability, some people lack the capacity to sustain a job, a handicap that can detract from their entire well-being. That's where occupational therapy comes in.

A Career in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists assist a variety of clients with one overarching goal in mind: to restore their patients' ability to live and work independently. Occupational therapists can help individuals improve their basic motor skill as well as their cognitive functioning. From physical exercises to dressing, cooking to using a computer, occupational therapists typically assist clients perform a number of activities.

Occupational Therapy Degree Programs

Online education programs typically have flexible learning schedules that allow you to earn your online degree while studying at home. To work as an occupational therapist, a master's degree or higher is the typical minimum educational requirement. Coursework in occupational therapy may include the study of biological, physical and behavioral sciences in addition to specific instruction in occupational therapy.

Career Opportunities for Occupational Therapists

Employment opportunities in the health care industry are expected to skyrocket through 2016. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in the health care field should reach 22 percent between 2006 and 2016. Occupational therapy is a specialty in the health care arena that should enjoy similar job growth. The BLS predicts employment of occupational therapists should increase by 23 percent through 2016.
In addition to excellent employment growth, occupational therapists should also benefit from solid annual earnings. According to the BLS, occupational therapists earned an annual median salary of $63,790 in 2007. Some of the top employers in 2007 included hospitals, health practitioner offices, elementary and secondary schools, home health care services, as well as nursing care facilities.
If you harbor the virtues of patience and empathy, coupled with strong interpersonal skills, then studying in an online degree program can prepare you to work as an occupational therapist.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Care
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Therapists
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Therapists, 2007 Wages

Karin Hansen lives and works in San Francisco. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in English literature, and edits a music blog in her spare time.