Even a quick glimpse at labor statistics shows that healthcare remains one of the most popular professions.¹ But with positions ranging from general practitioners to audiologists, how can you land on a specialty that will keep you excited and engaged?²

While only you can answer that question, there’s one niche of healthcare you may have overlooked: that of an occupational therapist—a potentially attractive choice for those who enjoy helping others meet life’s daily activities and tasks.

And yet, is occupational therapy a good career path? And how can you become one?

What is Occupational Therapy? 

Occupational therapists are responsible for helping patients of all ages recover from challenges and resume normal activities (or adapt to a “new normal”). ^3,4  

For some OTs, as they’re commonly called, this may involve assisting a stroke victim regain the ability to complete their morning hygiene routine. For others, it may be creating a fall prevention strategy for an elderly individual who lives alone. Regardless of the circumstances, though, the primary goal of occupational therapy is to help people reclaim their independence.⁵

Occupational therapy intervention may be recommended for a host of health conditions, such as:

• Injuries and physical traumas, like burns, bone fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s
• Inflammatory disorders, i.e. rheumatoid arthritis 
• Developmental complications, including learning disorders and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

How an OT Can Help 

Recouping self-sufficiency is at the core of occupational therapy. This focus on helping individuals regain independence is a key reason why occupational therapy is important in healthcare. This is accomplished through several evidence-based practices, such as:

• Assistive equipment, like a wheelchair or prosthetic
• Key exercises that facilitate recovery and pain management
• Voice-controlled lighting and software systems⁶
• Training patients on getting safely in and out of bed, seats, and the shower
• Visual stimulation to enhance vision and brain function⁷
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• Neuromedical devices

Additionally, an OT may go into a patient’s home or work environment to implement safety precautions, like ramps, grab rails, and visual aids. They customize their intervention therapies according to their patients’ needs.

Educational Certification Requirements 

If the profession appeals to you, it’s best to understand how to become an occupational therapist, including the necessary educational and certification steps.

Degree Programs 

Occupational therapists must hold an advanced degree in occupational therapy—either a master’s or a doctorate—from an occupational therapy (OT) or occupational therapy assistant program (OTA).⁸  Whichever you choose, it needs to be from an institution that’s accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE©) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

As you might imagine, the occupational therapy education journey starts with earning a bachelor’s degree. This might be in a related field, such as:⁹

• Psychology 
• Sociology
• Biology
• Kinesiology

Struggling to decide between a master’s in occupational therapy (MOT) and a doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD)?

Both are excellent ways to gain the advanced knowledge and skills needed to succeed. If you’re eager to start practicing sooner, however, an MOT may be just right: most master’s programs take two to three years to complete, while an ODT averages between three and four years.¹⁰  

Certification and Licensing Requirements 

The next step in becoming an occupational therapist is passing the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT©) exam—an 180-question test that OT candidates have four hours to complete.¹¹

Further, an aspiring occupational therapist must receive licensure from the state in which they want to practice.

Skills and Competencies

Education aside, flourishing in the field of occupational therapy also requires certain occupational therapist skills, like:¹²

• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Physical strength
• Compassion, empathy, and patience

MOT Degree

3 Benefits of a Career in Occupational Therapy 

The question remains: Occupational therapy—is it a good career choice?

Let’s look at a few of its leading perks.

1.  Job Satisfaction 

Job satisfaction is essential to everything from productivity to engagement.¹³

Fortunately, some research indicates that occupational therapists enjoy a high rate of job satisfaction. While this can’t be guaranteed (and keep in mind that “satisfaction” is subjective), you might find much to love about assisting others—and the potential to make a lasting impact on their lives.¹⁴

2. Career Flexibility 

Occupational therapists work in an array of settings, like:

• Home healthcare
• Outpatient facilities
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Primary care offices

This alone suggests the profession’s range and dynamism of this profession. What’s more, OTs may have the chance to zero in on a specialty that intrigues them, such as psychiatric rehabilitation, lymphedema, pediatrics, aging, or diabetes.¹⁵

3. Opportunities for Advancement

Occupational therapy isn’t a static field, nor is it a static profession.

For example, after gaining years of experience, you might choose to open your own occupational therapy center.  You might also choose to work toward additional certifications that may broaden your resume and advance your professional development.

3 Challenges of a Career in Occupational Therapy 

Few professions (if any) are without challenges, and this extends to occupational therapy.

Three of the most common drawbacks boil down to:

1. Emotional and Physical Demands

Some OTs may work with clients who have suffered a difficult injury, or family members that are managing a parent with Alzheimer’s. Naturally, this may affect your emotions as well. Some OTs also face daily physical demands, such as lifting patients.¹⁷ And yet, both of these challenges can be overcome with stress management and relaxation techniques.

2. Continuing Education 

Continuing education isn’t just a great way to keep your skills sharp: It’s also required to maintain licensure.¹⁸ The extra hours of education may cut into your schedule. But here’s the good news: as of 2024, all states accept AOTA-approved courses, including podcast courses.

3. Work-Life Balance

Sustaining work-life balance requires some effort regardless of the profession. For OTs, it hinges on your ability to balance patient work (and the documentation that comes with it) with self-care.¹⁹ This can be found through:

• Time (and, again stress) management
• Optimizing your work hours
• Setting boundaries

In turn, you may find that working as an OT enriches your life.

Take the Next Step with Alliant International University 

Is occupational therapy a good career choice? is a common question for those who have just begun exploring the field. As you can see, the job offers a handful of rewards, from the opportunity for specialization to the possibility of transforming your clients’ lives.

Alliant International University might be the ideal place to examine this option further. The Master’s of Occupational Therapy program provides students with the in-depth knowledge and fine-tuned skills they need to thrive in the profession.

Request more information today to learn how you can effect change.

---

Sources:

1. Heron, Janna. “Why Healthcare Workers Continue Pushing US Job Gains Higher.” Yahoo! Finance, February 8, 2024. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-healthcare-workers-continue-pushing-…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
2. Gray, Sheryl. “20 Highest-Paying Medical Jobs in the U.S.” Forbes, March 5, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/healthcare/highest-paying-medi…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
3. Aota.org. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
4. “What Is the Main Role of Occupational Therapy?” Cleveland Clinic, August 23, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/occupational-therapy. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
5. Seladi-Schulman, Jill. “Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: How Do They Differ?” Healthline, March 11, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-ther…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
6.  “Occupational Therapy - Tests & Treatments.” NHS inform, June 27, 2024. https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/counselling-and-therapi…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
7. “25 Tools Every Occupational Therapist Should Know How to Use.” Rehabmart.com. https://www.rehabmart.com/post/25-tools-every-occupational-therapist-ne…. Accessed August 24. 2024.
8.  Aota.org. https://www.aota.org/career/become-an-ot-ota. Accessed August 24, 2024. 
9. Stromsdorfer, Sarah. “What Are the Prerequisites for Occupational Therapy School?” myotspot.com, May 2, 2024. https://www.myotspot.com/ot-school-prerequisites/. Accessed August 24, 2024. 
10. Schwartz, Michele. “Masters vs Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.” The Virtual Pediatric OT, April 24, 2024. https://www.thevirtualpediatricot.com/masters-vs-doctorate-in-occupatio…. Accessed August 24, 2024. 
11. Foundations of the certification examinations. https://www.nbcot.org/exam-info/foundations. Accessed August 24, 2024. 
12. Common occupational therapist skills: Definitions and examples | indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/occupational-th…. Accessed August 25, 2024. 
13. Lashbrooke, Barnaby. “Job Satisfaction Is Key to Workplace Productivity, but How Do You Get It?” Forbes, July 14, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/barnabylashbrooke/2023/07/13/job-satisfact…. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
14. Bonsaksen, Tore, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Astrid Gramstad, and Linda Stigen. “Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapists Employed in Primary Care Services in Norway.” International journal of environmental research and public health, March 13, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10049391/. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
15. Lyon, Sarah, Jeanette Runningssays:, Sarah Lyon, Viviana Morenosays:, Meghann Ehlingsays:, Karen Speicher, Karensays:, et al. “30+ OT Certifications and Specialties • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Resources, February 8, 2024. https://otpotential.com/blog/where-to-go-ot-degree. Accessed August 24. 2024. 
16. Lyon, Sarah, Heidi McGohansays:, Sarah Lyon, Raul Generososays:, Karen Balksays:, Laura Park Figueroasays:, Julie Kearns, et al. “How to Become an Occupational Therapist (2024) • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Resources, February 1, 2024. https://otpotential.com/blog/become-an-occupational-therapist#how-to-be…. Accessed August 25, 2024.    
17. 8 pros and cons of being an occupational therapist | indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/pros-cons-being-occu…. Accessed August 25, 2024. 
     
18. “OT Continuing Education Requirements (2024) • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Resources, August 23, 2024. https://otpotential.com/ot-continuing-education-requirements. Accessed August 25, 2024.
19. The Note Ninjas. “Work-Life Balance for Physical and Occupational Therapists.” The Note Ninjas. https://thenoteninjas.com/blog/f/work-life-balance-for-physical-and-occ…. Accessed August 25, 2024.