Occupational therapy, also known as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or PT, is a field of health care that focuses on addressing problems in people’s everyday lives, helping them regain the ability to live comfortably and independently. Occupational therapy professionals work with patients suffering from such conditions as cerebral palsy, muscular weakness, and spine disorders. Occupational therapy SA professionals work to strengthen the patient’s physical skills and increase their independence.
As an Occupational Therapist, you will help your patient achieve maximum independence through improved movement and posture and training in performing self-motivation techniques for everyday activities. These services are generally offered by PT organisations that the state licensing boards have approved. Once certified, you will work under the direction of a PT supervisor or licensed therapist. You will assist your patient in returning to normal daily activities. You may also be involved in preventative measures for conditions that can lead to disability or injury later in life. In some situations, you will also be asked to provide counselling and psychological services to your patients and help them strengthen their personal ability to perform daily tasks.
A typical occupational therapy SA job may involve managing patients with a variety of conditions. You may also be asked to manage settings where your patient’s condition is receiving care under the direction of another OT practitioner. For instance, you may work at a hospice or an acute care hospital where you are responsible for caring for a severely injured or ill patient. You may also manage the occupational environment of a nursing home, which may involve assisting caregivers and providing supervision at various times of the day. Your duties will likely vary depending on the kind of patient and the institution from which you are working.
Occupational therapy jobs can be found in many different sectors. For instance, some occupational therapy SA jobs require you to visit children who have autism and cerebral palsy. You will be dealing with the cognitive and motor skills of these children. As such, you must have excellent communication skills and a lot of compassion. Occupational therapy jobs also tend to involve working with physically and mentally challenged patients. In most cases, you will need to complete either a two-year degree in OT or a four-year degree in OT administration.
Occupational therapy jobs are very rewarding careers. If you would like to know more about occupational therapy jobs, you can find information online. In addition, you can also contact the South Australian Government for more information regarding occupational therapy. You can also contact your local state and federal government offices for job openings or contact a professional occupational therapy recruiter for more details. By keeping your skills up to date with the latest technologies and innovations in this field, you will have a bright future in Occupational Therapy.