Embedded Files
Working in a Variety of Settings
Working in a Variety of Settings
Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan in a range of settings. Many of the traditional settings that occupational therapists work in include, but are not limited to, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities, private practices, homes, schools, and community health and wellness centers.
The American Occupational Therapy Association 2019 Workforce and Salary Survey Report indicates that 29% of occupational therapists work in hospital settings, 19% work in school settings, and 16% work in long-term care and skilled nursing settings. The remaining work in a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional settings.
An Occupational Therapist may work with an individual who has suffered a head or spinal cord injury in the acute care hospital unit and prepare them for service delivery in the inpatient rehabilitation unit or a skilled nursing facility. There, occupational therapy services will continue to focus on what the client wants and needs to do to engage in occupations that are meaningful. Services may continue at home while the client regains strength and function and then continue in an outpatient setting.
An Occupational Therapist may work with an individual who was born prematurely and experienced a long stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The focus in that setting may be to help the child's care team position them for safety and comfort and help the family bathe and feed them. The occupational therapist may help prepare the family for transition to early intervention services at home and to school or outpatient therapy services.
Occupational Therapists work in many non-traditional settings as well. Non-traditional settings may include workplaces to design ergonomic adaptions to prevent injury. Occupational Therapists may work in specialized settings in the community such as Club Houses serving individuals recovering from head injuries and day programs supporting individuals in need of memory care. Read the following blog posts to see a few additional treatment settings options for occupational therapists.
Occupational Therapists work in many non-traditional settings as well. Non-traditional settings may include workplaces to design ergonomic adaptions to prevent injury. Occupational Therapists may work in specialized settings in the community such as Club Houses serving individuals recovering from head injuries and day programs supporting individuals in need of memory care. Read the following blog posts to see a few additional treatment settings options for occupational therapists.
Reflection Summary
Reflection Summary
Occupational therapists work in a wide and ever growing array of settings. From traditional settings such as hospitals, clinics, and schools to homes, work places, community settings, and the great outdoors. Consider the the range of work settings that you have learned about in the module. In what ways is occupational therapy similar and different across these settings. Think for a moment about the attributes of the settings you have explored and what elements are of interest to you.
Open the Reflection Summary document and share your thoughts about the setting or settings that is/are drawing you to the profession of occupational therapy.
Page updated
Report abuse