Phone: (775) 784 - 4678
careers@unr.nevada.edu
http://www.unr.edu/career/

Thompson Building, Rm 200
University of Nevada, Reno
Phone: (775) 784 - 4678
Fax: (775) 784 - 1884
careers@unr.nevada.edu

Occupational therapy is a health care profession using purposeful activity (occupation) as a means of preventing, reducing, or overcoming physical, social and emotional challenges in people of all ages. An occupational therapist may work with a variety of patients such as stroke victims, amputees, spinal cord or head injury patients, and developmentally disabled children. The goal of therapy is to reduce limitations, improve self-care skills, maintain function, and help the patient attain the highest degree of physical, mental and economic independence.

An occupational therapist collaborates with other health professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists and social workers. Therapeutic activity is the core of occupational therapy and treatment programs vary according to each individual's needs. Occupational therapy services include the assessment, treatment, and education of, or consultation with the individual, family or other persons; interventions directed toward developing daily living skills, work readiness or performance, play skills or leisure capacities, enhancing educational performance skills; or providing for the development of sensory-motor, range of motion or motivational and psychosocial components of performance.

An occupational therapist must have many important personal qualifications including creativity, warmth, responsibility, determination and patience. A therapist must also be comfortable touching and treating the human body.

PREPARATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SCHOOL:

The most competitive applicant is one who has seriously investigated the field, taken the proper prerequisite courses, and given much thought to the reasons for selecting occupational therapy as a career. Criteria used in the selection of applicants for occupational therapy school include GPA, work experience or exposure to the field, letters of recommendation, personal statement, applicable test scores {e.g. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)}, extracurricular activities, and interview scores. GPA requirements fluctuate with each applicant pool and each school.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATION:

You can choose a career as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. You will complete an accredited education program offered at 140 colleges and universities nationwide. The education of the occupational therapist is broadly based in human anatomy and physiology; behavioral sciences such as psychology and sociology; humanities and the arts; specialized professional subjects; and field work experience.

Occupational therapists complete a four-year baccalaureate degree, and occupational therapy assistants complete a two-year associate's degree. The master's program is a 2-3 year course of study involving clinical training as well as preparation for teaching, research and administrative work. Master's programs require a bachelor's degree in some field and completion of required prerequisites before entrance into the program. Graduates of all programs take a national certification examination that meets the requirements of states that license occupational therapy practitioners.

The Pre-Professional and Graduate School Planning Office has information on occupational therapy schools and their requirements or write the American Occupational Therapy Assoc., Inc. for additional information:

WHERE ARE THE JOBS AND WHAT WILL I EARN?

When you complete your education, you will find positions available to you in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, long-term care facilities, camps and the patient's own home. There is currently a shortage of occupational therapy practitioners, and the number of available positions is expected to double by the year 2000.

More than half of new occupational therapists graduating in 1993 earned more than $34,000 in their first jobs. New occupational therapy assistants earned up to $22,500. Opportunities for advancement are excellent. Because of the high demand, good jobs are available in almost every area of the country for new therapists*.

* Source: "Caring People Choose Occupational Therapy Careers", The American Occupational Therapy Association, 1994