Occupational Therapist Career Guide

Occupational therapists (OTs) work in a clinical role, providing hands-on care, advice and support for people of all ages who need assistance with activities of daily living. OTs can work with a range of people, including post-operative patients, people undergoing rehabilitation from illness or injury, and those with disabilities. The main objective of an occupational therapist is to assess a patient’s environment and suggest adaptations and equipment to support their health, quality of life or recovery.

Potential Roles in Occupational Therapy

There are two main roles in the field of occupational therapy: a trained and registered occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapists are responsible for assessing the patient and suggesting and implementing changes to support them in carrying out daily tasks in their own environment (home, school, etc.). OTs oversee junior members of the team and have support from occupational therapy assistants. An occupational therapy job involves managing a patient caseload, using software to keep digital records, liaising with the wider multi-disciplinary team, training students, and more.

Occupational therapy assistants (or occupational therapy support workers) work closely with occupational therapists to implement care plans, source equipment, coordinate visits, and do anything else necessary to support patients and the service. An occupational therapy assistant job can be varied and rewarding, as you are at the patient’s side as they learn ways to help manage their everyday tasks.

Salary and Career Progression

There is some scope for career progression as an occupational therapist, mainly into management roles. The progression and salary ceiling for therapy assistants is lower unless you undertake further study to qualify as an occupational therapist.

Occupational therapists in the UK train and often work in the NHS, where pay follows a rigid structure called Agenda for Change. OTs start on Band 5 of the scale, earning just over £25,600. As you advance in your career and move up the pay scale, you could earn up to £63,000 at the most senior level.

In the US, the average occupational therapy salary is around $86,000, although this can vary depending on the State.

Occupational therapists can move up into senior roles, taking on more clinically complex cases and managing a team of OTs.

Occupational therapy assistants have limited scope for progression or significant salary increases unless they undergo a training qualification to become a registered OT or other healthcare professional. OT assistants working in the NHS may have the chance to complete further study to obtain a healthcare-related certificate or diploma for their own professional development. It may be possible to become a team leader, managing a team of OT assistants in your department.

Pay in the UK follows the same structure as for occupational therapists, but OT assistants work at pay grade 3, earning around £22,000 to £23,000 a year. Salaries in the US are comparably higher, with the average reported salary at $66,000.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

Occupational therapists are qualified and registered professionals and need the following:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 5-9
• 2-3 A Levels to access university
• A Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• OR an undergraduate degree in another field, with a postgraduate qualification approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• A degree-level occupational therapy apprenticeship is a potential option
• You must be registered with the HCPC to practice as an occupational therapist

 
In the USA

• A High school Diploma with a Grade Point Average (GPA) that meets the entry requirements for your chosen undergraduate course (check your chosen university for details)
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field, like health science or biology
• A postgraduate degree in Occupational Therapy, which includes clinical practice
• You must also pass the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy exams to become a licensed practitioner in order to practice

Occupational therapy assistants in the UK do not need specific qualifications as they are trained on the job, although this is different in the US. The requirements for both countries are as follows:

• Some GCSEs, particularly maths and English (UK)
• Relevant work experience
• A relevant training course, like a BTEC, is beneficial but not compulsory (UK)
• In the US, you must earn an associate degree in occupational therapy to practice as an occupational therapy assistant

Skills

Occupational therapists can benefit from the following skills:

• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• An understanding of psychology
• Patience and compassion
• A non-judgmental attitude
• IT skills
• Good initiative
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a flexible workload
• Problem-solving skills
• Willingness to work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team

Occupational therapy assistants must possess the following skills:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Friendly and approachable nature
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Patience and compassion
• Ability to use their initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to adapt to a flexible workload
• A positive, motivating outlook

Working Hours

Occupational therapists and assistants typically work full-time within standard office hours of 9 am to 5pm, although many employers also offer the option of part-time work.

Notable Locations

Occupational therapists and assistants can work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community clinics, schools, patients’ homes and care homes.

This range of options means that there are almost no limitations on where you can find work as an OT or OT assistant. As a starting point, some notable locations of the companies featured below are as follows:

• London, UK
• Manchester, UK
• Northumberland, UK
• Red Wing, Wisconsin, USA
• Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Notable Companies

• NHS: Offers free OT services to eligible patients across the UK and trains and employs most of the UK’s occupational therapists
• HCA Healthcare: Private healthcare service that runs The Wellington Hospital Rehabilitation Centre in London, UK, as well as other healthcare facilities across the city
• OT for Kids: Manchester-based OT service for children, assisting with a wide range of medical and developmental conditions
• The OT Service: UK-based private occupational therapy company that provides domestic and corporate OT services worldwide
• Mayo Clinic Health System: Community-based healthcare providers affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and covering some states in the US
• Barrow Neurological Institute: Large neuro-rehabilitation centre that brings together professionals and technologies that support patients with brain injury, based in Arizona, US

Next Steps

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