December 1st, 2009 
Adriana Noton Many people interested in a medical career are often not aware of the field of occupational therapy. A career as an occupational therapist is both personally and financially rewarding. Occupational therapists help patients with a wide number of conditions that include developmental disabilities, training patients with permanent disabilities to utilize adaptive equipment, motor skills rehabilitation, repair short term memory loss, improving decision making, as well as creating and implementing rehabilitation plans and evaluating a patients progress. Basically, occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people return to their previous occupations.
Education
To become an occupational therapist, one needs to complete a university undergraduate degree in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program. The undergraduate degree usually takes four years and then one must obtain a graduate degree in occupational Therapy. Occupational therapy courses include biology, physical, and behavioral sciences. Examples of specific classes include anatomy, kinesiology, developmental psychology, pathology, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, etc. There are also occupational therapy skills and theory courses. Included in the program is a 6 month work term. Occupational therapy students must pass national and state examinations. Those who pass the exam are awarded the title, “Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).” Some states have additional stipulations for therapists who work in such areas as schools or early intervention programs. These requirements can include an early intervention certification, an education practice certificate, or other education classes.
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