Occupational therapist how long does it take to become

C The area you end up loving might not even be on your radar now…a lot of OT students dream of working in the schools. Or inpatient rehab. Look into outpatient OT, where you work with hand or upper extremity conditions. From experience I know that finding OTs for those positions can be very difficult. Ditto with home health. Mental health. Cast a wide net when you are looking for jobs. One of the joys of OT is that there are so many areas to work in.

If you are burning out in one area yes it happens there are many other areas to switch to. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. Thanks so much for adding this, Carolyn! Specifically in the part we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we do. All of this is very true! Your comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Being an occupational therapist can be stressful. Becoming an occupational therapist is expensive. Continuing education units CEUs are education credits professionals earn by periodically taking classes after they have become licensed.

Each state specifies how many CEUs occupational therapists need to take before they can renew their license. Students earn CEUs by taking approved courses, which are often available online. AOTA offers continuing education courses for occupational therapists and offers a database of approved, non-AOTA continuing education providers.

Students who want to specialize in certain areas of occupational therapy typically have to earn a doctorate or gain specialized certifications after working in the field for a while. Learn everything you need to know about attending plumbing school, and find a program near you on our list of the best programs.

If you want to become an HVAC tech, attend a program that teaches what you need and get you hired. Depending on the program, a rad tech degree usually takes two years. You'll typically need an associate degree to become a radiologic technologist. Read on to find the best radiology tech programs. Step 1. Students can gain knowledge and skills in subjects like biology; anatomy and physiology; mental and physical health theory and practice; pediatrics; and geriatrics.

Programs typically include fieldwork, giving students hands-on occupational therapy assistant practice. Step 2. The COTA is a computer-based exam comprised of multiple choice questions. Upon passing, examinees will receive an official NBCOT certificate and wallet card around weeks after the exam is scored. Step 3.

Students who pass the COTA exam can seek occupational therapy assistant jobs to gain experience in the occupational therapy field. Step 4. Fieldwork is required and must be completed under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The first year and a half is usually devoted to completing required course work in a classroom setting.

In the last year, students gain experience in a clinical setting. To get into the accredited occupational therapy school of your choice, focus on earning a high overall grade point average in your undergraduate work above a 3. Some schools require up to hours of clinical experience prior to admission.

Certification is voluntary, but shows you to be serious about your field. All states require occupational therapists to become licensed. Check the state you plan to work in for additional fees and requirements.

Each university has its own set of prerequisite courses you need to complete to qualify for their program. Majors starting with psychology or science are the best ones to pick for aspiring OTs. That being said, there are many options, and people should pursue whatever undergrad major interests them in school. Find more information about the prerequisite courses by visiting the website of your target schools or by sending them an email. Nevertheless, post-employment the potential for job satisfaction is near infinite.

The current demand for individuals with the right education certification in this field is high and qualified individuals can earn a decent living post-employment. We will cover answers to the following questions in detail:. What is occupational therapy? What is an occupational therapist? How to become an occupational therapist?

Do you have what it takes to start a career in occupational therapy? Which university provides exceptional occupational therapy courses? What is Occupational Therapy?

Earn your degree in ot from NEIT and begin your new career path today! What Does the Occupational Therapist do? Step 3: Advance Your Education.

Step 5: Obtain Licensure. Do you have what it takes to pursue a career in occupational therapy? Do I have a strong desire to help people and provide care?