Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. With a bachelors degree, you can become a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA), but you need a masters degree to become a full occupational therapist (OTR). COTA's earn 1/2-2/3 as much, and are more hands-on than OTR's.
Make a Difference
A Typical Day
- Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
- Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
- Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
Recommended Credentials
Master's Degree and professional certification by NBCOT.
Education & Training
Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.
Explore This Career
Try it before you buy it!
Ask an Occupational Therapist for a Job Shadow Opportunity
Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) Career Tech Center - Allied Health
The Local Advantage Learning Pathway
Pathway 1
Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) Career Tech Center - Allied Health
Pathway 2
Take classes at NMC, and transfer to a bachelors program in Michigan, like at Baker.
Pathway 3
Complete a Masters program in Michigan, then look into specialty certification, in an area such as:
-
Assistive Technology
-
Sensory Integration & Praxis
-
Pediatrics
-
Lymphedema
TIP
Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.
Sample Job Titles...
- Assistive Technology Trainer
- Early Intervention Occupational Therapist
- Industrial Rehabilitation Consultant
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Supervisor
- Staff Occupational Therapist
Hear It From The Pros
10-Year Job Growth Projections
Employed Regionally
Wage Range & Median 10-County Region
Annual Hires Regionally
Other Regional Career Resources
Learn more about Occupational Therapists at O*NET Online.
If you're interested, take a look at this blog post. It goes over much of the same information that's here, but also goes into more detail.
Real World Career Pathways
It doesn't have to be a straight shot! Hear from people who have taken unique pathways.