Occupational Therapy: A Growing Field

These healthcare professionals help individuals of all ages with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges to engage in meaningful activities and tasks as part of everyday life.

Key occupational therapy services include:

• Assessing clients' abilities: Occupational therapists will work directly with individuals to determine their specific needs and customize the appropriate response. They will also assess patients' homes and work environments to adapt the spaces to fit their needs and improve independence. Working with patients, the medical professional will create specific goals and build action plans to help them reach those targets.

• Using interventions to address specific challenges: As treatment continues, occupational therapists monitor progress, modify treatment plans as needed, and deliver ongoing support and encouragement.

• Assisting with patients' abilities: Occupational therapists focus on increasing patient independence by helping them improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. Achieving this might include physical exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapy, manual therapy, and adapting the environment—their homes or workspaces—for increased physical and cognitive abilities.

• Ongoing research and educational support: Outside of directly working with patients to increase cognitive function and mobility, occupational therapists can also expect to advance the field by making and implementing evidence-based practices. This may include participating in research studies, creating new treatment methods, and transitioning current practices to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse client population.

A Real-World Example of Occupational Therapy

Let's say a patient was paralyzed on one side and had difficulty speaking following a stroke. While they've made remarkable progress with physical therapy and speech therapy, they’re still struggling to regain the full function of their right arm and having difficulty walking without the assistance of a cane.

An occupational therapist would step in to assist the patient with exercise treatments to get stronger on their feet and be more comfortable using the cane. Then, the medical professional gives the patient specific goals like brushing their teeth and combing their hair, setting them up with tailored treatments to help them practice arm and hand movements. The occupational therapist also communicates with the patient’s caregiver about necessary home modifications for the patient to be safe and most capable of getting things done on their own.

How To Become an Occupational Therapist

First, you need to earn a degree from an accredited occupational therapy program or occupational assistant program. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has three pathways for undergraduate learning. In these pathways, students can get a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Sciences and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) in five years:

• Health Sciences Pathway: Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) - Focuses on medical sciences, social sciences, and various areas of healthcare policies.

• Public Health Pathway: Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) - Looks at public health provisions in the field of occupational therapy.

• Health Psychology Pathway: Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) - Combines biological, psychological, social sciences, and humanities with careers in occupational therapy.

MCPHS also has a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree that takes two years to complete. This program can be done if students choose to do a standalone master’s program if they don’t do one of the three pathways.

During occupational therapy education at MCPHS, you'll get to experience a wide variety of classroom and educational opportunities, including:

• Clinical education: Students can provide care for patients and educate families and caregivers under the close supervision of expert staff members. This hands-on education can give individuals a clearer understanding of what they can expect from a professional role.

• Updated and advanced facilities: Located in the world-class Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, students are surrounded by some of the country's top medical institutions. On top of that, our college’s updated facilities have the latest technology advancements, including innovations available at our Sensory Integration Pediatric Lab, Adult Functional Simulation Training Apartment Lab, and other labs.

• Fieldwork rotations: Students can identify and learn the skills necessary to flourish in the occupational therapy field. They’ll use this knowledge both in the classroom and at fieldwork placements in settings such as hospitals, schools, and clinics.

After getting a degree in occupational therapy, you must pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy examination. Completing the MSOT through MCPHS will enable you to sit for this test, giving you the insights and industry knowledge covered on the exam.

This examination is in place to protect consumers in a state or jurisdiction from unqualified practitioners. If unqualified individuals were allowed to practice in the occupational therapy field, some patients may receive incorrect diagnoses or improper care. By enforcing the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy examination, patients are more likely to receive the type of care most beneficial to them from a trained and tested professional.

State licensing requirements vary, so pay attention to your state’s occupational therapy regulatory agency. Once you’ve passed the exam, you'll be licensed and start your career in an occupational therapy practice.

FAQs About Occupational Therapy

At what rate is the occupational therapy field growing?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the occupational therapy field is expected to grow by 12% annually from 2024 to 2032. On top of that, about 9,600 openings are projected for this type of role each year on average over the next decade. This is largely caused by the high number of older professionals nearing retirement age, opening up more job opportunities for younger individuals.

How hard is occupational therapy school?

Schooling is intensive and demanding, but students who desire to learn and grow in this field have the potential to excel. At MCPHS, learners can expect to cover a variety of topics during the master’s program, including:

• Clinical reasoning skills and contemporary theory.

• Mental health and therapeutics practice engagements.

• Motor performance and skills necessary for life-long success.

• Neuroscience foundations of therapy.

• Children and adolescent challenges.

• Cognitive and visual challenges facing patients of all ages.

• Occupational therapy best practices.

• Long-term patient care programs.

• Communication skills necessary for positive doctor-patient relationships.

• Occupational therapy practice options.

How much does an occupational therapist make right out of school?

It depends on where you end up working. Still, the average starting salary for an occupational therapist right out of school is about $65,000, as reported by the American Occupational Therapy Association. However, there is room for a salary increase as professionals get more experience, as the average median salary for this role is $93,180, according to the BLS.

According to LinkedIn, there are several high-paying jobs in the field, including:

• Pediatric occupational therapist.

• MD medical doctor of occupational medicine.

• Occupational therapist home health.

• Development and behavioral pediatrician.

• Inpatient pediatric pharmacist.

What challenges do occupational therapists generally face?

While many find this career to be incredibly rewarding, there are still challenges that industry professionals may face. For one, the medical field can be emotionally stressful, as occupational therapists work alongside individuals who are experiencing difficult physical and emotional hardships. People who can be optimistic amidst challenging circumstances can excel, and this skill can also be learned and practiced over time.

It’s expected that occupational therapists stay updated with the latest techniques and technologies, which can require time spent studying helpful resources and adapting methods.

Start Your Occupational Therapy Journey at MCPHS

Occupational therapists make a difference in the lives of the patients they serve, and you could join them by getting a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree. Not only would you be placed in a strategic location near countless advanced facilities and innovative institutions, but you’d also get to work alongside other students who are also passionate about the world of occupational therapy.