Occupational 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:

• 2006 NOC: Occupational Therapists (3143) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Occupational Therapists (D043) 
• 2011 NOC: Occupational therapists (3143) 
• 2016 NOC: Occupational therapists (3143) 

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:

• finding each client’s level of function (such as self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure)
• setting and prioritizing goals based on client evaluation
• creating intervention plans to help clients take part in activities
• following client progress, gauging outcomes and adjusting plans as needed
• making suggestions (as an independent consultant or with a multidisciplinary professional team) for:
• client discharge
• home or school management
• transfer to alternate programs
• integration into the community
• return to work
• policy or procedure changes
• changes to the social or physical environment.
• any form of exercise that helps improve day-to-day functioning.

Intervention plans may include:

• changing physical and social environments to improve clients’ access to activities and make it easier for them to take part
• using meaningful activities to help clients restore or maintain function and prevent disability
• using environmental changes, equipment and assistive technology to support clients to take part in occupations
• doing vocational testing and retraining to develop or improve work-related skills
• helping clients to learn or re-learn day-to-day life skills
• providing strategies to promote health and prevent disability (such as mindfulness, chronic disease management, ergonomics, pain management)
• arranging group interventions that:
• ease social adjustment
• alleviate stress
• promote client well-being

          through self-management techniques and by providing choices.

• helping clients choose leisure activities based on interest and functioning level.

OTs may:

• help clients learn new ways to perform daily chores, manage their finances and shop for groceries
• help clients learn skills to cope with anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, stress, decreased energy or normal aging
• work with parents, teachers and others 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 everyday life (such as 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) so clients can take part in meaningful activities.

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:

• excellent problem-solving skills
• the ability to be organized
• good people skills
• the ability to listen, speak and write well
• the ability to work with little supervision
• creativity
• empathy
• patience.

They should enjoy:

• working with people
• finding creative ways to deal with challenges
• taking a step-by-step approach to their work.

Occupational therapists (OTs) may work for:

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

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:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

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

In Alberta, the D043: Occupational Therapists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 74 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

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 call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.