Role

Occupational Therapist

What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?

OT’s support individuals’ to restore their independence and to overcome barriers that prevent them from doing activities (occupations) that are important to them.

What does an OT do on a daily basis?

  • Assess and treat individuals of all ages ranging from children, adults and elderly people experiencing difficulties during their daily routines due to mental and physical health conditions.
  • Develop goals with individuals based on what is meaningful for them
  • Work with service users and plan interventions to prevent further deterioration of difficulties they experience.
  • Assess home and workplace environment to suggest adaptations
  • Work collaboratively within a team to discuss the progression of service users and review their treatment plans.
  • Aid recovery by working with individuals on a 1:1 basis or in a group setting

Where do OT’s work?

  • Orthopaedics
  • Stroke unit
  • Charity organisations
  • Critical care
  • Forensic unit
  • Care homes
  • Schools
  • Prisons
  • Adult social care
  • Child development centres
  • Women’s refuge
  • Burns and plastic surgery

Think this might be a career you’d be interested in?

Earning

Find out about how much you earn as an Occupational therapist

Find out more
Approved education and training

Search the HCPC register of approved education and training programmes

Search
Routes into the profession

See what grades/UCAS points and other routes into the profession are.

Find out more

Related Roles

Like the sound of this? Here are some similar roles you might be interested in.

Dietitian Physiotherapist

Inspirational Story

Rebecca Haythorne

Occupational Therapist

Read interview

Find your future

Wondering which of the 14 allied health professional careers might suit you, your aspirations and your interests? Take our quick and easy test to find out.

Take the quiz

Useful Links

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

NHS - Occupational Therapist