Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help people who have difficulties caused by physical or mental illness, disability, accidents or ageing.
Typical Salary
£28,000 – £50,000
per year
Working Hours
35–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an occupational therapist you could:
- teach and help clients to live independently
- help clients with mental illnesses do activities they enjoy
- support clients to manage permanent physical disabilities
- suggest ways to adapt an office or home
- support clients, their families and carers and keep notes about progress
Skills needed
- knowledge of psychology
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be flexible and open to change
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Career progression
With experience you could:
- specialise in an area such as elderly care or services for children
- go into private practice, education or research
- do further training and move into more senior or management roles within the NHS
- work overseas