Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accidents or ageing.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an occupational therapist you could:
- teach and help clients to live independently
- help clients with mental illnesses do activities they enjoy
- support clients to manage permanent physical disabilities
- suggest ways to adapt an office or home
- support clients, their families and carers and keep notes about progress
Working environment
You could work at a client's home, in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's business, at a GP practice or at an adult care home.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- specialise in an area such as elderly care or services for children
- go into private practice, education or research
- do further training and move into more senior or management roles within the NHS
- work overseas
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of psychology
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be flexible and open to change
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You could do a degree in occupational therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Courses combine work placements with academic study.
Postgraduate conversion course
You might be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if you've got a degree in a subject like:
- biological science
- health science
- psychology
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You could do an Occupational Therapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This usually takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of learning on the job and academic study at an approved university.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as an occupational therapy support worker.
With support from your employer, you could study for a degree part time to qualify as an occupational therapist.
You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for jobs or training.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips
When applying for courses and jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how theNHS values apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about careers and training in occupational therapy from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Health Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.