Scope for Occupational Therapist (OT) | Kalvimalar - News

Scope for Occupational Therapist (OT)- 4-Jan-2014

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Occupational therapy, often called OT, is the use of treatments to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental or developmental condition.

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a major emerging healthcare profession in India. Means to gain practice in India is via a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy of four and half years duration (including a six-month compulsory internship).

Admission to recognized professional programmes is usually through common entrance tests followed by interviews.

Each university may have their own entrance requirements. However, one must have passed the 12th class (senior secondary school) with physics, biology and chemistry prior to being admitted to the bachelor's programme.

Post-graduate certificates, diplomas and master's degrees are available in various specializations of occupational therapy such as general rehabilitation, orthopedics, neuro-rehabilitation, pediatrics, disability management, research, mental health, etc. Opportunities for doctorate programmes also exist in few universities.

There are two professional levels of occupational practice-occupational therapist (OT) and occupational therapist assistant (OTA).

After 2007, an OT must complete a master's degree program (previously, only a bachelor's degree was required). An OTA is only required to complete an associate's degree program and can carry out treatment plans developed by the occupational therapist but can't complete evaluations.

All occupational therapy practitioners must complete supervised fieldwork programs and pass a national certification examination. A license to practice is mandatory in most states, as are continuing education classes to maintain that licensure.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including:

hospitals
schools
rehabilitation centers
mental health facilities
private practices
children's clinics
nursing homes

Is occupational therapy and physical therapy similar?

Doubt looms over for many that occupational therapy and physical therapy are quite similar.

No, they are not the same. Occupational therapist (OT) helps people of all ages (from newborns to older adults) who have an illness or disability to do those things that are important and meaningful to them such as eating, dressing, school activities, and work. An OT helps by making changes in any of the things that may limit an individual's ability to do those tasks, including the environment, the task, or the person's skills needed for the task. OTs also have the knowledge and training to work with people with a mental illness or emotional problem such as depression and or stress.

Job outlook and salary expectations for occupational therapists:

Though many in India are not much aware of such a study and profession, but the future outlook is good for occupational therapists. An increase in demand for occupational therapists of 23% is predicted from 2006 to 2016.

Increasingly, OTs are developing new practice areas including school violence reduction, driver rehabilitation, ergonomics consulting, wellness, and welfare to work programs.

Salary for occupational therapists in the Western and Eupropean countries is excellent, but in India salary would go up to Rs 18,000 for freshers. OTs with above 5 years of experience are likely to get much decent package.

Who should take up OT studies?

OT is a challenging and great job, combining creativity and problem solving with the ability to make practical, meaningful changes in a person's life. As an OT you will use your knowledge, critical thinking, and hands-on skills to help others.

Since occupational therapists work intensely with people, good personal skills such as good communication skills, an interest and commitment to serving or helping other people, and an interest in social and biological sciences are also helpful.

Following are some leading institutes of Occupational Therapy in India