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What is an Occupational Therapist?
Life as an Occupational Therapist:
Occupational therapists help individuals across all ages with their independence and improve their ability to perform daily activities (occupations) that are meaningful to them. They aim to enhance the quality of life of people with cognitive, physical and mental issues.
They need to begin by establishing and identifying a patient's abilities and needs through observation, interview and specialised tests. This could be anything from the patient's ability to dress themselves, cook or eat. The evaluation of independence of skills allows for the identification of potential places for adaptations to be made for the patient.
As an occupational therapist, you need to work closely and collaborate with your patient to set goals around their needs and teach or retrain skills important for independent daily living (e.g., work or social interaction). OTs may also recommend the assistance of devices like wheelchairs whilst using exercises to improve strength and coordination to improve one's independence and autonomy.
As you educate and train your patients with different techniques and strategies, it is likely your patient is in an emotionally vulnerable state so it's important that you are able to provide strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression that could further impact their independence.
Occupational Therapy as Career
Career pathways:
There are many pathways and work environments available through Occupational Therapy including NHS practice, private practice, management, further education and research to name a few. More detailed information can be found here:
Salary:
Starting salaries for qualified Occupational Therapists in England (Band 5) range from £29,970 to £36,483. More detailed information can be found here:
Governing and Professional Bodies:
There are two main Governing and professional bodies within Occupational Therapy. More detailed information can be found here:
To practice as a registered Occupational Therapist in the United Kingdom, you must be a member of the Health and Care Professions Council, although joining the Royal College of Occupational Therapists is not a requirement. However, it is strongly encouraged to also become a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists .
Facilities and Studying Occupational Therapy at Sheffield Hallam University
Using a variety of equipment and facilities enhances the quality of teaching and learning, including:
Modern Teaching Facilities: Specialist rooms equipped with a range of tools that optimise the learning experience for students.
Simulated Ward Environments: Opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and apply theoretical knowledge in real-life healthcare scenarios.
Home Environments: Innovative equipment designed to prepare students for real-life situations and various clinical settings, ensuring they are well-equipped for diverse healthcare environments.
Further information on the Occupational Therapy facilities at Sheffield Hallam University can be found here on the Health and Social Care Hub:
Occupational Therapy Courses Available at Sheffield Hallam University:
BSc (Honours) - Occupational Therapy
BSc (Honours) - Occupational Therapy with Foundation Year
MSc - Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)
The links for each course are listed below, providing further details, including entry requirements:
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