Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and improve their function in all aspects of life. In general, this involves:

• evaluating each client's level of functioning in areas of self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure
• developing intervention programs
• monitoring client progress, evaluating outcomes and changing programs as needed
• making recommendations, as an independent consultant or in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, regarding client discharge, home or school management, transfer to alternate programs, integration into the community or return to work.

Intervention programs may include:

• changes that make environments more accessible and participation in activities easier for clients 
• the use of purposeful occupations (meaningful activities) that help clients restore or maintain function and prevent disability
• the use of assistive technology to enable participation in occupations 
• vocational assessment and retraining to develop or improve work related skills
• self-help strategies that train or retrain clients in daily living activities
• health promotion and disability prevention strategies
• group interventions that facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress through self-management techniques and promote client well being by providing choices.

For example, occupational therapists may:

• enable clients to learn new ways to perform daily chores, manage their finances and shop for groceries
• help clients develop skills to cope with anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, stress, decreased energy or normal aging
• work with parents, teachers and other professionals to help children achieve success at home, in school and in the community
• adapt environments in schools, homes, workplaces and communities to assist people in their daily living (for example, by changing the layout of a home to make it more accessible or help prevent further injury)
• help clients regain the use of an injured body part or improve strength, endurance, movement and self-confidence
• use assistive technologies such as mobility devices and safety equipment to promote participation in meaningful activities.

Some occupational therapists specialize in working with a specific age group or clients who have a specific disability (for example, arthritis, mental health problems or spinal cord injuries). Occupational therapists also may be required to supervise assistants.

Occupational therapists usually work standard office hours although some positions require evening and weekend work. In clinical settings, they may spend much of their working day standing, bending and assisting patients. Lifting items that weigh up to 20 kilograms or more may be required in some employment settings.

Occupational therapists need the following characteristics:

• excellent problem-solving skills
• good organizational skills
• good interpersonal skills
• the ability to communicate well in person and in writing
• the ability to work with little supervision
• creativity
• empathy.

They should enjoy working with people, finding innovative ways to deal with challenges and taking a methodical approach to their work.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Occupational therapists may be employed by or work on a contract basis for:

• community agencies
• health care organizations such as hospitals, continuing care facilities, rehabilitation centres and clinics
• schools or post-secondary institutions
• government or insurance agencies
• the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)
• lawyers' offices
• professional organizations.

Occupational therapists employed in community programs or private practice may offer services such as medical or legal evaluations. Those who are self-employed often provide consulting services to various levels of government.

In Alberta, 83% of people employed as occupational therapists work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 2,400 Albertans are employed in the Occupational therapists occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 74 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) website: www.acot.ca  

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) website: www.caot.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

Society of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) website: www.saot.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.