Occupational Therapists are the problem solvers of this world. Give one a retro Rubik’s Cube and they’ll reconfigure it in a flash. The Times crossword? No sweat.
Their job is to find solutions to the everyday difficulties some of us face, from something as basic as getting dressed to the more complex such as relearning life skills after an amputation.
Most of us probably imagine an Occupational Therapist (OT) in a hospital setting, helping Granny Ina to boil a kettle or open a can of soup so she can be discharged home after a spell on a ward.
And, although many do that, the remit is much wider. OTs work with people of all ages, including children, and can be based in patients’ homes, social care and educational settings, workplaces and prisons.
Here’s an OT joke for you. How many occupational therapists does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: None. They teach the light bulb to change itself.
As this illustrates, the role is about understanding the patient and their needs. Only then can solutions and treatment plans be worked out.
In practical terms this could mean assisting someone with arthritis to continue driving or suggesting ways to adapt an office so that an employee injured in a car accident can return to work.
And it’s not just physical health, OTs often work with mental health patients or those with social disabilities. Gone are the days when occupational therapy for mental health patients was all about basket weaving; now it’s much more creative and tailored to the individual.
Some recent examples of innovative therapies include film making and singing sessions for patients with breathing difficulties.
Occupational therapy can also be seen in the workplace with the emphasis on measures to keep staff fit and healthy so they can do their jobs safely.
Another growth area in OT is assessing people for welfare benefits.
Of course, working with sick or injured patients can be challenging and at times stressful but those in the profession know the rewards speak for themselves.
In most cases you are making lives better; in some you are giving patients their lives back.
To become a registered Occupational Therapist you will need to have a degree, or have completed a postgraduate course in occupational therapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
As with most health professions some relevant experience at a hospital or nursing home is always a head start to getting your foot on the ladder.
Once qualified you could develop your career through further specialist work in areas such a spinal injuries, burns, plastic surgery and paediatrics or go into research. Alternatively, you might consider management or teaching.
There are also roles for Occupational Therapy Support Workers who assist regular OTs in their day-to-day duties.
So, if you’re good at thinking outside the box but don’t want a career where you feel boxed in, occupational therapy could be right for you.