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Rehabilitation Therapist, Therapist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $35.61 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $46.42 |
| Top | $51.39 |
Interest in consulting with members on interdisciplinary teams to establish personalized care plans, and to advise on health promotion programs
Interest in co-ordinating information to develop intervention programs to address client needs related to self-care, work and leisure activities
Interest in manipulating and maintaining equipment used in programs involving manual and creative arts, industrial and vocational skills, and recreational activities
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals, groups, communities and systems. They develop the means and create opportunities to understand, engage in and improve clients’ function in all aspects of life. In general, this involves:
Intervention plans may include:
through self-management techniques and by providing choices.
OTs may:
Some OTs specialize in working with a certain age group or clients who have a certain concern (such as arthritis, mental health problems or spinal cord injuries). OTs may have to supervise assistants.
Most occupational therapists work standard office hours. However, some positions require evening and weekend work. In clinical settings, they may do a lot of standing, bending and assisting patients.
Occupational therapists need to possess:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 18 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 16, 2021 and Jul 20, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Evaluate treatment progress | 17 |
|---|---|
| Develop and implement treatment programs | 17 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Judgement | 11 |
Occupational therapists (OTs) must complete an accredited occupational therapy program. The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists will grant academic accreditation only to OT programs that lead to a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Occupational therapists enable people who experience obstacles (due to impairment of body structure, a change in function, or barriers in the social and physical environment) to participate in the activities of everyday life.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Occupational Therapists Profession Regulation, only regulated members of the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT) may call themselves occupational therapists. Regulated members provide health services listed in Schedule 15 of the Health Professions Act.
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved occupational therapy degree program, (2) 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, and (3) an approved certification examination. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the ACOT website or contact ACOT.
Occupational therapists registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered occupational therapists in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated occupational therapists, see Occupational Therapist Registration Process.
Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
312, 8925 – 51 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6E 5J3
Call: 780-436-8381
Toll-free within Alberta: 1-800-561-5429
Fax: 780-434-0658
Website: acot.ca
Occupational therapists (OTs) may work for:
OTs in public or private practice may offer services such as medical or legal evaluations. Those who are self-employed often consult for various levels of government.
In Alberta, 83% of people employed as occupational therapists work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3143: Occupational therapists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 75 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $31.70 | $41.58 | $35.61 | $33.57 |
| Overall | $39.82 | $54.64 | $46.42 | $45.70 |
| Top | $49.09 | $62.23 | $51.39 | $49.65 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $82,671 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $76,007 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $75,706 |
| Educational Services | $72,538 |
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
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.