Occupational therapists provide important and practical support to patients, helping them to overcome challenges caused by illness, accidents, or ageing, which might be preventing them from living an independent life.
We’ve put this blog together to shine light on the occupational therapy career, from its job description and the number of hours you’ll work each week, to its salary.
Your role as an occupational therapist will include empowering patients to carry out everyday tasks with confidence and independence to improve their quality of life and overall health.
You’ll be required to create individual treatment programmes for patients, and suggest changes to their working, home, or school environment by introducing the use of equipment to help them complete certain activities.
You’re likely to support a range of patients - from children and young people to older people, and those with mental health issues, and physical and learning disabilities.
An occupational therapists’ responsibilities may include:
· Implementing treatment plans for patients in a hospital / community setting
· Establishing realistic goals with patients
· Liaising with other health and social care professionals and the patients’ families
· Referring patients to other specialists, when required
· Managing a caseload and prioritising patients’ needs, whilst completing admin tasks
· Contributing to the analysis and development of clinical services
· Keeping up to date with written and electronic records
As a UK-based occupational therapist, your typical working week will be 37.5 hours – you’ll need to be able to work flexibly over the seven-day period.
The average salary for an occupational therapist in England is £34,289 per year. If you work for the NHS, you’ll be paid through the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system and will have access to its generous pension scheme and discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
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